Author : Josie Olson

Like any recipe, the key to brewing good beer is quality ingredients There are four main ingredients in any beer brew and hundreds of specialty variations of most of the main ingredients The main items in every beer are:

1 Yeast

Yeast comes in two forms, liquid and dry

Dry yeast, also known as active yeast, must be kept dry Any moisture will affect the brewing and fermentation process Dry yeast is a living organism that multiplies, eats sugar, and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide as waste products Most dry yeast is stamped with a freshness date so you can tell if it is fresh or has been sitting around for months The expiration date on the yeast will be several months long, but it is best to use the yeast as soon as possible for the best tasting home made beer

Commercial brewers use liquid yeast Liquid yeast is very high quality yeast It can also be matched much more precisely to the type of beer you are making Liquid yeast comes in larger quantities so before you invest make sure you like your recipe or a variation

2 Water

Tap water is all you need as long as it has good taste If your water tastes bad pre-boil it Bring it to a boil and let it cool You can also try filtering the water, but will not want to use distilled water

3 Malt Extract

Like yeast, malt extract comes in both liquid and dry forms The dry form is a powder Malt extract will make your brewing process much easier and give you a better product

Malt extract comes in hopped and unhopped versions Malt will give color, taste and body to the beer and generally provides the grain flavor If your malt extract does not give you the taste you want, try a small quantity of specialty malt until the flavor is just right

4 Hops

Hops are the sugar in your brew They add sweetness to the beer They also add the herbal taste and smell Oddly enough, hops also provide bitterness to your beer The two different types of hops provide either aroma or bitter qualities

In most cases bittering hops are added at the beginning of the recipe while aroma hops generally are not added until after the boil

As with most recipes these 4 key ingredients provide the backbone and structure to your beer What you add to them is the key to making great beer that will make you the most loved friend in your circle

Josie Olson brews beer in her own kitchen. To learn secrets of brewing and get 100s of recipes visit Home Beer Brewing. When not brewing Josie spends her time planning beach weddings. Join her at Beach Wedding or search for property with her at Australia Real Estate

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Author : Daniel Wallace

Thai cuisines are regarded as one of the best as well as delicious in the world Since situated between the political and cultural destinations of China and India, Thailand’s dishes have strong influence of cuisines of both these countries A strong influence of Malaysian flavors is also prevalent in Thai cuisines

In short, a Thai cuisine is an incredible blend of the Indian, Chinese, and Malaysian cuisines Further, as many of the monarchs and royals were educated in European nations, they returned to their home place with western culture and western taste in cuisines Perhaps for this reason Thai cuisines are sometimes influenced by western European flavors

Above all, Thai cuisines reveal a great deal about the nation, from its political and trade history to its geography Nowadays, the exotic cuisines of Thailand are much popular in such western countries as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom

One of the unique features of Thai cuisines is that it is an assortment of four basic tastes: sour, salty, pungent, and sweet Thai dishes are not only tasty but also healthy because of its low fat and high fiber as well as the nutritious elements of herbal ingredients Typically, a Thai meal includes hot salad, a soup, a fried dish, a curry dish or a dip with fresh vegetables and fried fish

However, rice dishes are the staple among the Thai cuisines The highest quality, long grained Jasmine rice, otherwise known as fragrant rice, is mostly used for preparing traditional Thai rice dishes Steamed rice dishes served with aromatic curries and mouth-watering stir fries would satisfy any palate

Sometimes, curries, fries, and other ingredients are poured on to the rice to form a dish, namely, khao rad gang Significant of the ingredients that can be found in most of the Thai dishes are nam pla, a kind of fish sauce; shrimp paste, which is a blend of shrimp and taste; Thai egg plants; Chinese ginger; coconut mil; chillies; and a variety of herbal leaves such as kaffir lime leaves and Thai basil

The cuisines of Thailand are categorized according to the different tastes of the region, such as, central, southern, northern, and northeastern In central Thai region, cuisines are mostly a blend of hot, salty, and greasy tastes Among the specialties that are cooked in this area are steamed rice, fried items, soups, and side dishes including curries and shrimp paste dip with fresh vegetables

Chinese dishes such as noodles and noodle soups are also much popular in this region Thai cuisines in southern part are more or less influenced by Malay cuisines One of the much favored dishes in the area is Khanom chin, which is mostly taken with hot spicy curries and vegetable items Apart from rice dishes, sea food items are important in this region Further, the dishes prepared here are a mix of sour and salty tastes

When comes to north and northeastern regions, most popular cuisine here is steamed glutinous rice Mostly, northern Thai cuisines are simple, and are especially known for its unique style of eating, namely, Khantok Dinner, which is an accompaniment of sticky rice, curries and nam phrik ong, prepared with ingredient like minced pork, tomatoes and chilies

Each of these items is placed in a large wooden tray and guests sit around it to sit and eat with hand Northeastern cuisines, or Isan, as it is fondly known, have stronger taste in contrast to that of other parts of the country One of the main dishes that can be found with almost every meal is pla ra or fermented fish Also, a prominent dish prepared here is Som Tam, or green papaya salad Additionally, some of the dishes prepared here have the influence of Laos

Some of the well-liked Thai dishes are Tom Yam Kung, which is a spicy soup with shrimp as the main ingredient; Kaeng Khiao Wan Kai, a sumptuous curry prepared with chicken; Phat Thai, a noodle items cooked in traditional Thai style; Phat Kaphrao, a meat dish cooked with sweet basils; Kaeng Phet Pet Yang, a curry made with roasted duck; and Phanaeng whose main ingredients are meat and coconut cream Aside these, sea food specialties prepared with fresh supplies of crabs, oysters, lobsters, prawns, and other shellfishes are truly scrumptious

Also, worth mentioning are delicious, multifarious Thai desserts, prepared with ingredients such as coconut cream, coconut flesh, rice flour, palm sugar and eggs Thong Yip, Met Khanun, Mo Kaeng, Kluai Chueam, and Thapthim Krop are just few among the yummy Thai desserts Above all, much famed are incredible Thai vegetable dishes

MyAsianVilla.com provides accommodation options in various locations around Thailand and features some of the most beautiful villas available. Book your vacation today at www.myasianvilla.com

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Author : Christine Harrell

Eating out on a regular basis is not only expensive it can be unhealthy! Armed with a stocked spice rack, and a bit of cooking knowledge, you can make low-cost meals that rival the restaurant A basic knowledge of cooking procedures and a familiarity with common spices can make all the difference between eating out of a can of something unhealthy and dining on a delicious, healthy meal Having well-stocked spice racks can be one of the most powerful weapons you have in the kitchen

How To Stock A Wall Spice Rack?

A basic inventory of common spices can do a lot for a simple meal Cinnamon not only lends a comfortable flavor and aroma, but many think it aids in digestion and treatment of the common cold Sage is often used in savory dishes such as poultry and soups, and is considered an antioxidant Basil, used in tomato-based sauces and soups, also aids in digestion and possesses anti-anxiety properties

Other tasty and beneficial spices include parsley, which lends a fresh flavor to canned soups or meals as well as helping with allergies and fever No wall spice rack is complete without garlic Garlic has been long considered an important spice in many cultures It is the world’s second oldest medicine Soldiers used garlic in World War II on battle wounds as an antiseptic Recommended for colds, flu, bronchitis and general internal organ problems, garlic is highly effective at reducing cholesterol and promoting better heart health

Where Should I Keep My Spice Racks?

You should store most spices in a dark, cool environment It’s not recommended to place your wall spice rack over the stove; the heat and light can render most spices less effective in both taste and healing properties Refrigeration is not a wise thing with most herbs and spices; however, fresh herbs can be stored in the refrigerator by following a few simple steps:

1 Wash all herbs as soon as you can after bringing them home

2 Pat them dry with paper towels

3 Place between paper towels inside a plastic storage bag

4 Store in the refrigerator immediately

5 Use them as soon as possible

Spices and herbs are the least expensive and most beneficial component you can add to your diet Dressing up the simplest of meals, most dishes can be made in less time than it takes to wait in line for a takeout meal of food in which you have no idea of the preparation Cooking your own meals means you control what goes into your body, and well-stocked spice racks are a prime tool

A wall spice rack in your pantry or dark corner of the kitchen will add flavor and health to your meals Although occasionally eating out is reasonable, a constant diet of restaurant or fast food is proven to lead to many health problems, as well as impacting your wallet In these lean economic times, learning to cook offers a range of benefits hard to beat

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on spice racks, visit http://www.wgwoodproducts.com/.

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Author : Mary Anne Durkee

“Thai cuisine” is one that combines the best of many cultures yet maintains its own distinct identity and taste Thai cuisine due to the geographic location of the country does have a lot of influence from the food of the surrounding countries like India, Malaysia , Myanmar and China

The thought of cooking a new cuisine can sometimes be a real mental block I guess we can blame it on the natural resistance to change or anything new that we are all born with However, just tasting a delicious Thai dish will leave you with no choice but a strong inner urge to explore the culinary world of Thailand

Thailand is a country where food is of tremendous importance There is a lot of variety that is available and you would find most dishes with even the street vendors From curries of different kinds, a variety of noodles to soups and desserts there’s so much here that is a real treat to the tastebuds

Thai food is real easy to cook and done very quickly Taste I am sure I need not elaborate on If you have tasted authentic Thai cuisine even once, then you are sure to have already fallen in love with it The delicate flavor of coconut milk, fish sauce and a variety of herbs all go to add to its great flavor and taste

The wide range of recipes and videos that are available online now truly makes it very easy for anyone and everyone to connect with any part of the world This then is one reason for Thai cuisine to gain so much popularity and now become a chosen food considering the global scenario It is no longer difficult to get the ingredients as well Just drop in to your local Asian store and you would find all that you need to prepare a traditional Thai meal right at home It would be best to get all that you need in advance as any dish would taste great if you have all the required ingredients and know the exact procedure of preparing it

Thai cooking requires you to possess a few more basic equipment like a pestle and mortar You may use the food processor but you are not going to get the exact texture and taste doing that This may alter the taste of your dish to a great extent

The wonderful thing about cooking Thai at home is that you can prepare the dishes according to your individual taste and preferences Not too mention the huge cost saving it would make as compared to going out to your favorite Thai restaurant

Try it !!! the effort is all worth it You would realize this when you sit down at the table to enjoy the meal

Mary-Anne is a featured member and regular contributor at ifood.tv,a global food network, featuring recipes from all over the world. Other popular healthy recipes videos on ifood.tv include cold pasta salad recipes,Grilled fish recipes and frozen mixed drink recipes

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Author : MIKE SELVON

While the average person may assume that all red wines are the same, the differences actually extend far beyond the label on the bottle With over 50 main varieties of reds available, the colors can range from light red and ruby red to deep purple

There are even some varieties that are almost black in color Of course, the flavors are as varied as the hues and can include fruity flavors or flavors that have a hint of tobacco For the non-expert, the best way to develop an appreciation for red wine is to learn more about it

The color and flavor of red wines is a combination of the wine making process and the variety of grapes used Grapes used to make reds range from deep red to purple to blue and the skins are left on during fermentation The skins contribute to the varieties of color and, along with the grape seed, determine the amount of tannins in the finished product

The longer the skins are left in contact with the fermenting grapes, the deeper the color and the higher the tannin content Reds with the highest tannin content are considered full-bodied, like Cabernet, while lower tannin content gives medium-bodied Merlot or light-bodied Beaujolais The fruity reds, which are named because of their flavor not because there is any sweetness, have the lowest tannin content of all the reds

simply creating color The grape skin contains flavenoids, which are well-known for their antioxidant properties, and it is passed on from skins to liquid during fermentation As a result, the fuller the body of the wine, the amount of flavenoids will be much higher

Four ounces of a full-bodied red each day helps lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol and reduce clotting The flavenoids are also thought to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells, as well as helping nerve cell formation, which can help prevent the onset of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases

Some people seem to have the mistaken belief that the only difference between the red wines and the whites is the color, or that the difference between types of reds is merely what is on the label of the bottle Such beliefs fail to recognize the subtle variations of color, flavor and aroma that have been perfected by wine makers

In reality, the differences in the wines begin with the grapes and continue through the wine making process Knowing the subtleties of the variations leads to a much a greater appreciation of them

Visit Mike Selvon portal for more information on red wines, and leave a comment at our wine tours blog. Don’t forget to claim your FREE gift.

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Author : Candice Oneida

Whether or not organic food is a fad or a trend that’s here to stay, it’s important for you, the tea drinker, to understand the significance of organically grown tea over its non-organic cousin Tea is supposed to be good for you, but tea grown in unhealthy ways can have just the opposite effect For instance, non-organic tea can have as much as 45% more caffeine! Organic tea provides a higher quality, better tasting, better for you brew Let’s find out why

Organic – What’s it Mean?

Chances are the tea you drink, unless certified organic or home-grown herbal, contains chemicals like pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and other nasty stuff Most tea consumed in America is grown in China, Indonesia, Kenya or Argentina – countries not exactly overly concerned with environmentally friendly practices Even if the tea itself hasn’t been sprayed or treated, chemical that have leeched into the soil can be absorbed by the plant as it grows and stored in the leaves This puts all those hazardous substances into your cup, and therefore into you I don’t know about you, but the thought of drinking somebody else’s harmful compounds isn’t exactly my cup of tea (pun intended ) I drink tea for its healthful benefits, not its chemical makeup

Organic teas and other produce are grown the old fashioned way, without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, fungicides or other dangerous stuff Thus the plants produced are cleaner, purer and healthier for you Knowing the location of your tea plantation is just as important too, though, in knowing whether the quality of your organic tea is really that much better than the non-organic brew Since hazardous wastes can leak into the ground and then be soaked up into the plant, an "organic" plantation in an area of questionable soil quality can produce tea with just as many compounds in it as a tea plantation that uses non-organic techniques

Organic teas also contain no artificial additives or preservatives Some vanilla flavored black teas, for example, contain artificial vanillin, which can be derived from both wood pulp and coal tar Organic teas will never contain substances that sound like they would be better suited to the saw mill than the tea party

The Cost of Organic Tea

It’s no secret that organic tea costs more than its non-organic counterpart This higher cost is due to several factors The first factor to consider is that organic farming methods are more time consuming than non-organic methods The second is that organic farming typically yields smaller crops than non-organic fields Organic farmers must charge more to make the same amount of profit from their tea as the non-organic farmers Most, however, think that paying a little more for a better tasting, healthier brew is worth it They know that their money is going to support small farmers trying to grow a crop in ways that are beneficial to both the planet and the consumer, rather than large companies out to make a buck irregardless of the damage they might cause

Organic Tea is a Greener Tea

Notice that says "greener" not green All forms of tea can be grown organically, and doing so is better for the planet By not using chemicals to grow their tea, organic farmers spare the soil, air and water from further pollution Organic farming methods tend not to rob the soil of its nutrients, maintaining soil fertility for a much longer period of time Tea plants can live to be a hundred years old An organic tea farmer is ensuring the health and production of his trees for both his lifetime and his children’s Better soil quality means less deforestation for new fields, better water quality and less erosion In short, organic tea farming, as all organic farming, is much healthier for the planet

Organic Tea is Better Tea

Because organic farming is closer to the plants’ natural state of growth, organic produce, including tea, is closer to its natural, wild state This natural state of being produces a better, crisper, cleaner tasting product The taste isn’t muffled by loads of toxic chemicals, nor is it hidden under a blanket of artificial ingredients and additives This gives organic tea its higher quality and better taste over its non-organic competition Organic teas are also higher in the antioxidants that make tea a healthier drink Organic teas are shown to be significantly higher in antioxidant concentrations than non-organic teas

Organic Tea and You

Choosing an organic tea variety over a non-organic one will give you a better tasting, better quality, healthier cup of tea You’ll be doing the environment a favor by supporting farming practices that benefit the planet, as well as the farmer But how do you know that your tea is truly organic? There are different rates or grades of organic The USDA has certified 100% and 95% organic items to be labeled as "organic " A 95% organic item may contain ingredients or substances that are not organic such as artificial flavors or colors An item labeled 100% organic must be just that – as close to nature as man can get it Sometimes items will be labeled "all natural "

This does not ensure that the item is 100% or even 95% organic, just that it contains nothing artificial or synthetic Remember that organic begins in the soil, with the growth process, not just with the recipe or processing Your best bet is to look for teas that are certified 100% organic Then and only then can you be sure that your cup of tea will be the best tasting, healthiest, all natural brew Nature can provide

Zhi Tea is a leading provider of high-quality oolong tea online. Visit them today for a full selection of high-grade, fair trade organic Green, Black, White and Oolong teas. Also view their tea gift basket selection – a great gift for the holidays.

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Author : Shaun Parker

Contact Grills or clamshells as they can also be known are increasingly being seen as a must have gadget for many food outlets, with the heavy duty grills now in the domestic home with the launch of the George Formby range contact grill and other manufacturers following suit A contact grill offers the benefit of allowing your food to be cooked without the need for turning so the food is sandwiched together and therefore it locks in the foods natural juices and tastes to give it a fuller flavour providing a high nutritional content as it cooks the food between two heated even plate surfaces which shortens the cooking times and in using this method has benefits over the conventional metal pan They can perform well using either fresh or frozen food like pork belly loins to vegetables like peppers

Contact grills can provide the caterer with a faster and possibly a more capable and competent way of cooking a healthier leaner gourmet food for your customer, as the deep grooved plates keep the food raised up, and any fat that maybe in the food drains down the back into a grease tray, with some having a high splash guard to keep this away from the operator Sandwich based snacks like the panini are still a popular choice with many food retail outlets, with customers asking for more adventurous fillings and looking to spend more than ever With the endless possibilities and being able to cook the likes of steaks and burgers on the grill with the texture of either rare too well done that you can cook together side by side The contact grill gives you have the opportunity to add the ‘hot snacking’ options to any kitchen menu

There are different variations of the grill on the market one to suit every possible caterers needs from the professional caterer to your domestic applications You have the option for a single or large double grill including different types of plates for cooking on, these range from cast iron, non stick cast iron to ceramic plates Having a grill with ceramic plates can reduce the amount of food and carbon sticking to the plates, although all varieties of plates do have their advantages and disadvantages as the cast iron plate offers greater heat retention properties

A contact grill is easy to use with an adjustable thermostat which has a low, medium and a high setting on a dial or a sliding control along with a power light which glows red to show you when your unit is heating then turns greens to indicate your unit is ready for use, depending on the food type and the thickness the general cooking times range from 30 minutes to approximately 3 minutes These compact grills which are no bigger than your average microwave or even smaller and they take up very little room in the kitchen They are also easy to keep clean by removing any food then wiping the plates with a cloth or a metal scraper on cast iron plates only to remove food residue which has been left

The grills give you the opportunity to double your cooking surface by opening the grill fully gives you a 180 degree where you can have your very own indoor barbeque

Shaun Parker has been a pub landlord for many years. He is a member of the campaign for real ale and offers advice on Contact Grillsto aspiring publicans.

Syndication Source: Article Mind

Author : James Copper

Wines are of many types Red wine is a type of wine which is extracted from red, dark purple or blue colored grapes This wine is red in color Red wine is produced by fermenting grape juice The red color of the wine is due to the tannins present in the wine which is a chemical compound Red wine is stronger than white wine Red wine is the most popular wine compared to other wines and is produced all over the world There are almost 50 varieties of red wines like Australian Shiraz, Syrah, Chianti, Bordeaux,Sauvignon, etc

Red wine comes in different flavors some of which are listed here:

Cherry, Plum, Blackberry, Raspberry, Currant, Raisin, Fig, Pepper, Clove, Cinnamon, Coffee, Cocoa, Mocha, Tobacco, Leather, etc

Types of red wine

The type of Red wine depends on the area in which it is produced and the type of grape used for extracting the wine

Syrah:

Syrah, also called as Shiraz, is mostly served with meat, beef or pastas They are mostly dark colored wines Syrah is widely cultivated in the regions of France, Australia, and California One of the main ingredients of syrah is aroma which is very good for health

Merlot:

Merlot, a red wine, is known for its light color and soft taste It can be served with any kind of food It is a very light drink and is not strong at all Merlot is cultivated in countries like Romania, Chile, Washington, Italy and Australia They are also present in herbal and medicinal form

Cabernet sauvignon:

Cabernet sauvignon is produced from oak This red wine is beneficial in preventing cardiovascular problems and also cancer because of its medicinal properties

Pinot noir:

Pinot noir is rarely found because it is difficult to grow This red wine plant is cultivated in countries like New Zealand, USA, Oregon and many other valleys

This red wine is best suited with meat and lamb

Zinfandel:

Zinfandel is the native wine of California because it is produced only in California This is very hot and spicy in taste and goes well with meat, pizzas, and pastas

Sangiovese:

Sangiovese goes well with Italian dishes and is available in valley areas

Barbera:

Barbera is available only in USA

Wine and Health

Consumption of wine to a limited extent may be beneficial to ones health It removes bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol while reducing blood clotting, which is used to prevent a number of heart diseases and leukemia, because it acts as an antioxidant They are used to prevent Parkinsons disease because of presence of resveratrol in the wine Red wine contains higher amount of flavonoids which is very useful Melatonin present in red wine is used to cure a number of skin diseases Over consumption of wine may lead to many health problems like:

1) Red wine headache (RWD) – It is a disease caused due to excessive consumption of red wine, which may further lead to nausea

2) Consumption of red wine is hazardous during pregnancy It also increases the chances of breast cancer

3) Brain migraines

4) Diabetes

Hence, moderation is highly recommended for the consumption of red wine

James Copper is a writer for http://www.cecwine.co.uk where you can find out about red wine

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