Author : Gregg Hall

As one who grew up in the South I can say that we drank tea with nearly every meal and I still drink it at least two or three times day! Where I live one of our favorite grocery stores sells it by the gallon already made and I love it Apparently I am far from being alone since eight out of ten households in the United States keep tea in the home and drink it regularly

In the Far East tea gardens used to be very popular, especially in India, Taiwan, and China where they were known for the production of premium tea The poor economic state in many of these locations has made many traditional growers of tea evolve to more advanced and efficient methods of growing and harvesting tea which has made the better tasting premium teas even tougher to find

If you are like me and you enjoy the taste of a quality gourmet tea there is a diverse variety of teas available to sample which can sometimes make it difficult to narrow it down as to which one you may want to try first With the choices such as chamomile tea, Chinese green tea, black tea, yerba mate, and many more too numerous to mention it is plain to see that one could drink a different tea at least weekly and never get through the list

Although the practice of drinking tea goes back thousands of years to Ancient China when it was first drank for its health benefits many people today drink it for a variety of reasons Some like the Chinese did and still do, drink it for its medicinal benefits while others such as we here in the U S and the Brits in the U K drink it more because we love the taste Many of the people who just drink it because they love it are unaware of the great health benefits due to the large numbers of antioxidants In addition to this, tea is also known to enhance the immune system and possible reduce the incidence of strokes and heart attacks Add the fact that tea without the added sugar has no calories and is lower in caffeine than coffee and you have a nearly perfect beverage

Traditionally tea has always been drank hot as the English do but many prefer to have their tea on ice, which is the way we tend to drink it here in the U S Among drinkers of iced tea, it seems that the flavorful Black Tea is very popular due to its stronger taste

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about tea as well as premium tea at http://www.gourmetteasandgifts.com

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Author : Dominic Donaldson

If you were to walk down any high street in practically any major city in the world you could be forgiven for thinking that Americans drink nothing but Coffee There’s a Starbuck’s or Costa on every corner

It is true that Americans love their fix of the black stuff but while coffee may be a more popular drink in the United States than tea, there’s no denying the place of tea in the nation’s history The Boston Tea Party is a part of American history that every school kid learns at an early age It was a key moment for both the US and the UK

The Boston Tea Party was an act of protest by American colonist in Boston in 1773 Many people regard it as the first incident on the road to revolution and independence from the British and it is still celebrated all across the United States today as a mark of its importance

The seeds of the protest were sown when the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townsend Acts of 1767 meant that the colonists were heavily taxed by the British despite not being represented in the Westminster Parliament A wealthy Bostonian, John Hancock, had his ship seized after he protested at the acts and was charged with smuggling The ship was aptly named ‘Liberty’ The charges were later dropped but he continued to protest and continued to be harassed by the authorities as a result

Hancock decided to aim his displeasure at the British East India Company and started a boycott on their tea from China Sales fell by hundreds of thousands of pounds and in 1773 the company had huge debts and couldn’t sell its tea Hancock and others were importing tea from the Netherlands and not paying tax on it, this prompted the British government to pass and act that enabled the company to sell its tea without paying any tax in Britain on it This meant the British East India Company could sell its product directly to customers in America at half the price of people like Hancock

Resentment grew among the colonists at the favourable treatment afforded to the company and their were protests in Philadelphia and New York but it was Boston that was to become infamous in the whole affair There were violent protests and many people were threatened

In November 1773 a ship called the Dartmouth was involved in a stand off in Boston harbour It carried East India Company tea There were meetings held by the protestors and each one was larger and rowdier than the previous On December 16 an estimated 8,000 people attended one such meeting The Darmouth and two other vessels agreed to return to England without unloading their cargo but the governor, Thomas Hutchinson, said they couldn’t leave without being unloaded first

The protestors boarded all three ships thinly disguised as native Americans and worked throughout the night emptying the tea overboard into the harbour As day broke over 342 casks or 90,000 lbs of tea was in the water Nothing else was taken and only a single padlock had been broken

The knock on effects of the incident included the relaxing of some laws which British politicians found unacceptable and resentment against the colonists grew Some of the protestors were charged with High Treason and the port of Boston was closed The Boston Tea Party effectively acted as a trigger for the American War of Independence

The influence of the protest continued to be felt long after the civil war was over and even Mahatma Gandhi used the incident as a template for his famous salt protest against the British in India

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the food and drink industry.
Find out more about tea and the history of tea.

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Author : Joe Young

The best chocolate bars are the ones that hold the greatest memories of being at the movie theaters, the carnivals, at halloween, at home watching your favorite show

As children we all had our favorite best chocolate bars For me it was one thing, for my friends another We all hovered around the same top three best chocolate bars at that time They were the Snickers, Baby Ruth and the Musketeer chocolate candy bars Although another favorite of mine was Hershey s milk chocolate almond candy bar

Man, that was back in the day when we could buy a chocolate candy bar for 35 cents and a soda for 55 cents and still get some penny candy all for under a dollar! I am old, it has finally happened, I am old But I still like my favorite chocolate candy bars

The Best Chocolate Candy Bars

1 Snickers Candy Bars

2 Hersheys Candy Bars

3 Baby Ruth Candy Bars

First up is the Snickers bar This bar is made by the company Mars, Inc and has existed since 1930 Named for one of the Mars families horses, it has been popular since It used to be known as Marathon outside the US, but that name was changed to Snickers Why is this one of the best chocolate bars ever made, well because it is delicious that’s why!

Peanuts, nougat, caramel all covered in milk chocolate make this bar have a little bit of everything all in perfect balance I love the crunchiness of the nuts mixed with the chewy caramel and nougat The nuts and caramel separate it from the bland and boring Three Musketeers and Milky Way There are certain times I crave a good chocolate bar, and only a Snickers will do For that it ranks high on my list of best chocolate bars

Second on the list is the Hershey chocolate almond bar This bar is the my favorite Chocolate Bar and the one that is simple but satisfying The first bar was introduced in 1894 and while variations exist, when one wants a good old fashioned American chocolate bar, Hershey, is the one to enjoy

Finally, there s the Baby Ruth A little historical fact floating around is that the Baby Ruth chocolate candy bar was named after Ruth Cleveland, President Clevelands daughter Some think it was named after Babe Ruth, but either way it is one of my favorites that I got many cavities eating

So, this may not be your pick, but they are representations of a time when health and chocolate eating were not on everyone s mind as today They were meant for a snack, not your main meal These were the top ones you went for at halloween too So, what s your favorite?

Also, I discovered a couple of days ago a place called The South Bend Chocolate Company in Indiana They have a line of signature chocolate candy bars Here is where you move up from the average, everyday, supermarket candy bars Now, it is gourmet, the finest of ingredients, cocoa butter, milk, nuts, the best recipes from the best So, check it out, I already want to visit this place and their chocolate cafe!

http://www.chocolatecandylovers.com/

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Author : Carole-Anne Stanway

When I was just married, many moons ago, I had really no idea which spices I needed to have to start up my healthy, tasty, nutritious cooking Over the years, I have learned cooking with healthy recipes and this is what I have come up with as most necessary to start healthy cooking

Remembering that spices have a shelf life, like any other food, you are able to tell by the flavor and color if the spice is old, and should be replaced generally every spring Many of my spices don’t last nearly that long, as I use them far before they would get old

BASIL

Fresh basil is used best for salads and pesto Dried basil is best used for slow-cooked dishes such as crockery pot dishes, stews, soups, and even casseroles

BAY LEAVES

Bay leaves are used to simmer in soups, tomato and sea food dishes You know, my father never made a soup without a bay leave in it Many Indian, Turkish and Italian dishes contain bay leaves as they are aromatic and woodsy I buy them whole to simmer, and remember, they are not something to digest, so remember to look for them when the dish is finished cooking and remove them I love that extra flavor a bay leaf gives

CHILI

Every good cook require, chili powder, chili pepper flakes or, when in season, chili peppers red hot! Chili adds a real kick to any dish, for many ethnic dishes: Thai, Korean, Mexican/Southwestern dishes of meats, soups, stews cocktail sauces, eggs and seafood dishes As I am North American, my favorite is a Chili Stew Cayenne Red Pepper flakes are probably the most popular to use

CINNAMON

Sweet Cinnamon is warm and spicy and used in desserts, pastries, puddings, fruits and spiced beverages Cinnamon is also popular in Greek, Middle Eastern and Mexican mean dishes, sweet potatoes, carrots and squash/pumpkin When cinnamon is used in beverages, the actual cinnamon stick is used for mulled wines, and the actual spice in powdered form is used to top coffee lattes, hot chocolate

CLOVES

This potent warmer, tasty spice is a favorite in North America for pastries, curries, masalas It is also used in Chinese five-spice blends, in chai teas, and for pickling Years ago, cloves were thought to be a help in easing the pain in toothaches I am so fond of the aroma of cloves

CUMIN

Cumin is a warm, earthy flavor which comes in seed form and ground form Cumin is a crucial savory spice for Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, Indonesian and North African and Asian foods Cumin seeds can be used to infuse rice dishes, and breads, or ground for cheese dishes, devilled eggs, stews, soups and chili, beans and cabbage dishes

CURRY POWDER

Curry powder is a combination of many sweet and savory spices True Indian cooks prefer to make their own curry, but our prepared blends have become most popular in North American cooking as we try to create Indian dishes

Curry powder blend often includes coriander, cumin, chili, turmeric, ginger, mustard as well as some sweeter spices such as fenugreek, cinnamon, and cloves and cardamom There are many different varieties

Curry is used with meats, sauces, stews, soups, fruits, eggs, fish, seafood, poultry, creamed and scalloped dishes My favorite is curried rice with poultry, but I must admit, I will use curry on almost any dish!

NUTMEG

Nutmeg provides a complex, sweet vanilla-like undertones to baked goods Nutmeg compliments almost any dish that uses cinnamon Nutmeg is sweet, but powerful and used in most baking of loaves, pies, cakes, as well as custards, creamed dishes and white sauce A Christmas favorite is egg nog flavored with nutmeg It is also used in fruits, vegetables, ice cream, hot milk drinks and frostings I love the aroma of nutmeg

OREGANO/MARJORAM

Oregano and Marjoram strong and aromatic spices used in both European and Mediterranean cultures Oregano is a favorite in pasta sauces, pork, veal, fish, vegetables, seafood, tomato dishes, white sauces, ground beef and pork, Greek, Italian and Mexican dishes, chili, pizza, egg dishes and salad With so much of a variety, one can see how a healthy kitchen cupboard must do with oregano/marjoram

ROSEMARY

This flavorful, resinous, pungent herb is used in many European and American dishes It marries well with many types of meat, such as lamb, poultry (my favorite), game meat, poultry stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and squash, zucchini and quick breads I have a favorite recipe with panini bread, pasted with olive oil, cut grapes in half place on bread, then salt with coarse salt and spread fresh rosemary leaves on it – toast in oven for 10 minutes at 250F degrees

Cut pieces in triangles to serve I love Rosemary leave for flavoring

THYME

Thyme has a balsam-like flavour It does not have the range as many other herbs and spices, but it still plays an important part in traditional French, Italian and American dishes I use it with meat, fish and poultry, tomato dishes, stews, clam and fish soups, gravies and vegetables

There is an entire catalogue of herbs and spices that we can load our cupboards with I think that I have given you the basic ones to cook healthy hearty and nutritious meals These are over and above sea salt and freshly ground pepper As time goes on, and you learn more healthy recipes for healthy living while creating your scrumptious meals, you will add new spices and herbs Remember, always, make certain your spices and herbs are fresh

Carole-Anne Stanway has been a creative healthy recipe cook for many years. She loves to learn new living techniques as well. Learn how you too can make, create and bake many healthy recipes for healthy living at .healthyrecipes

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Author : Josh Stone

This guide is a quick look-up table for the commonly-used spices

Fenugreek – This is native to India and southern Europe The part used is the hard, yellow-brown seeds that come from the plant’s pods Widely used in Indian and Mediterranean cooking, this plant has a confusing array of characteristics By itself, it has a bitter taste, but ground and diluted it is found in everything from curry powders to Bengali five-spice mixture The toasted seeds taste like a nut The oil is touted by alternative medicine practitioners as a treatment for various ailments, and doctors have discovered some medical applications as a supplement

Galangal – Is it a spice, or is it a drug? Galangal is known as “blue ginger” and is in fact a member of the ginger family, but has a taste differing from that of ginger, with a flavor closer to pine and citrus than ginger Galangal is native to the Orient and shows up in various dishes of South-East Asia as a spice or herbal root However, mixing it in olive oil with myrrh and cinnamon and wiping it on your nose will (a) make you feel like your nose is on fire, and (b) generate a mental state of euphoric calm as you inhale the vapors It has wide popularity in aromatherapy and voodoo rituals

Ginger – The root of this ubiquitous herb is used throughout the world in Asian, European, and American cuisine A hot and spicy distinct to its own, it can even be pickled and eaten alone, as it is so served as a candy in some parts of the world

Huacatay – A South American plant known as Peruvian black mint Used in various Central and South American dishes, it is considered essential to authentic Peruvian cooking

Hyssop – Native to mainly to Greece, but cultivated through the Mediterranean region Hyssop leaves have a slightly bitter, but minty flavor and are added to Greek regional soups, salads or meat dishes, where they are used sparingly because the flavor is very strong Its oil also has some medicinal uses as a therapeutic stimulant

Juniper Berry – Actually a pine cone rather than a berry Juniper berries have one very specific application, which is giving the alcoholic drink gin its distinctive flavor The flavor is described as sharp and clear, unlike any other taste in the world They are also used in Europe to flavor wild game birds, pork, cabbage, and sauerkraut Some sweeter varieties have recently been cultivated in the Western United States

Kaffir Lime – Don’t go looking to use the fruit of this bush as a regular lime; these are inedible But the leaf of this plant is a spice, native to Indonesia and used in various vegetable dishes there The flavor is sour, sharp, and citrus-like, much more sour than what we commonly call limes Also used in Creole cuisine and flavored rums

Lemongrass – A light, tangy herb widely used in Asian and Caribbean dishes, especially soups, teas, and curries (Seriously, what isn’t used in curries?) Unlike some herbs, this plant tastes exactly like it sounds, with a mild flavor between grass and lemon Also used in the perfume industry and other uses such as for citronella candles

Liquorice – also spelled ‘licorice’ – A famous member of the legume family whose oil extract is used widely in many kinds of candy and in some niche recipes More strikingly, the root is simply dug up and chewed as a breath freshener or sold as candy all by itself It also has stong properties in medicaine, where it’s used as an expectorant The flavor of licorice American candy is actually more anise than liquorice

Marjoram – A mild herb with a sweet taste between pine and citrus It is actually only used mostly as a component in other herbal blends, as its flavor is not very strong by itself

Mint – Probably the most famous of all herbs, it needs no introduction here Most commonly used in candies, gums, teas, and mint sauce for meats such as roast lamb It’s variations include peppermint, spearmint, Pennyroyal, Corsican, and pineapple Yes, pineapple mint is a species of mint also used as an herb Vietnamese mint, however, is not a member of the mint family

Mustard seeds – Another famous herb, grind the seeds up into a flour and mix with vinegar and water to make the various forms of the mustard condiment Also used in a wide scattering of European dishes Perhaps mustard has the most elaborate history, it having been used in both Christian and Buddhist parables

Nigella – Native in a wide circle around the Mediterranean Sea, including North Africa Also called “black cumin”, the black seeds have a taste between oregano and pepper, yet confusingly their aroma is faintly reminiscent of strawberries! Used widely as a pepper-like seasoning in salad and vegetable dishes in the regions of Southern Europe, Africa, and Western Asia Also one of the five spices in Bengali spice mix

Nutmeg – This actually comes in two forms: ‘Mace’ is the skin of the nutmeg seed and is a spice in its own right Nutmeg is actually the ‘meat’ of the nutmeg seed itself Nutmeg and mace differ slightly in flavor; mace tastes lighter and more delicate and has an orange tint, nutmeg tastes sweeter and stronger Nutmeg trees are evergreens indigenous to the tropical South Seas of Asia and Australia Nutmeg and mace are used throughout the world, in beverages including cider, wine, and eggnog, in sauces and baked goods, and its oil flavors more beverages such as cola

It is also known that nutmeg oil in high quantities is toxic, and can produce hallucinations, nausea, dehydration, and ‘generalized body pain’ Extremely powerful dosages can even lead to permanent psychiatric damage We’re talking a dosage of five grams to thirty grams, here; it is quite safe to sprinkle some shaved nutmeg on top of your eggnog

Freelance writer for over eleven years.

Chef Uniforms Chef Aprons Uniform Scrubs

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Author : Corbin Newlyn

Are you a superior baker? Do you love candy? Why not try your hand at becoming a chocolate candy maker? While you might not actually work in a factory or sell your treats to thousands of people everyday, you will still be a big hit with all your family and friends, and you might even decide that you wish to make a business out of this moneymaking hobby

One of the first things you should do when you are thinking about becoming a chocolate candy maker is to attempt as many recipes as you discover Find out what specialty you want yours to be, and try to make as many assortments of the candy as you are able This way, you can perfect the recipes you attempt, and you might even create a few of your own

All Shapes and Sizes

Chocolate candy comes in numerous forms, so you can make fudge, candy bars, turtles, the small chocolate candies that come in boxes as well as gift bags You might even create your own version of chocolate covered fruit

Ask your family members to get old recipes that have been in the family for many years, and check out online resources for great chocolate candy recipes from people all over the world You should also add a few of your own exceptional ingredients to make the recipe stand out

Standing Above The Rest

Being a chocolate candy maker will also call for you to pay particular attention to the skill that you devote to the candy How do you wish your candy to look? It is crucial to make sure that your chocolates stand out, particularly if you are going to be selling them

What special ingredients do you wish to add to make the taste of your chocolate candies distinguishable? You can try vanilla, fruit extracts, cinnamon, coconut, or even more exotic flavors like black pepper, cayenne pepper, as well as smoky flavors to give your chocolate candy a taste that people will always remember

Another sign of a great chocolate candy maker is the packaging If you are starting up a business from scratch, you will need to make certain that the colors and logo you select make your candy stand out

Are you going to use gourmet paper or small bags to wrap your candy in? Will you apply ribbon to tie your candy package together, or are you making a custom box for your treats? These might seem like small details, but they might be a big difference when your attempting to make sure that your fudge, truffles, or candy bars are being noticed

Listen to Corbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of fine foods. If you would like to learn more go to Chocolate Gift Baskets advice and at Chocolate Dessert tips.

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Author : Tom Jones

Finding the ideal present for someone can be quite perplexing! Of course you want to choose a present which will be liked and enjoyed However, exactly what can you get for someone who already has all the materials things they need?

Fashionable present trends include those which enhance a person’s personal experiences rather than material items This trend is not only being used for young people but also older people who really do have most things they need!

The old cliches of boxes of chocolates or a bottle of a favourite tipple are still gladly welcomed, however these are hardly inspirational or ‘different’! When trying to find a birthday, anniversary or retirement present why not follow the recent trends and opt for a gift which is out of the ordinary such as a recreational day out learning new skills or a leisurely day spent enjoying favourite pass times, hobbies or interests?

There are some great recreational experience days to choose from to suit all tastes and budgets If you are looking for a gift which the recipient can quite literally savour, why not treat them to a day out making chocolates, as well as eating them! Or enrich their mind and palette with a day out learning the art of making foods from around the world such as Sushi or wonderful aromatic Indian food Throughout the UK there are venues which focus on tempting the taste buds and tickling the palette!

Treat someone to a day spent with master chefs in top class restaurants and enrich their culinary learning! Days such as these make an ideal gift for men and women of all ages Many of the recreational and leisure experiences are designed for two, therefore a joint present for a mum and dad or any couple are a great way of proverbially ‘killing two birds with one stone’ and a great way to help less the load of trying to find individual presents!

For those who prefer to spend their leisure time being wined and dined rather than actually cooking would welcome the opportunity to be spoilt to three course meals, accompanied with fine wines or champagne to celebrate a birthday or anniversary Combine this with a weekend or overnight stay to be pampered or to partake in a particular hobby or sport such as golf would be more than gratefully received!

Any celebration should include gourmet food and fine wine! Hampers and presentation boxes crammed full of delicious sweet and savoury delights have long been a favourite style of gift These are the ideal solution for retirement presentations or as an alternative anniversary gift The great advantage with these types of gifts is that they can be delivered directly to the recipient’s home or workplace if the buyer is not able to be present on the actual celebration day

Whatever type of present you are considering the key point is to make it special for the recipient Focus on the things you know they like or enjoying doing for leisure or recreation For a complete surprise which will leave memories to last a life time opt for a gift experience which is not the usual run of the mill style of present You will have great satisfaction giving and the lucky recipient will be more than happy to receive such a well thought out and exciting gift!

Red Letter Days offer a wide range of recreational and leisure Gift Experience ideas

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Author : Bimla Sheokand

The people living in France love their food and so they have perfected the art of making dishes which not only fill the stomach but also fill the heart of the person who eats them As far back as the 1500s, it is acknowledged that French cuisine has been impacted by three aspects: 1 The incursions of Celtic Gauls resulted in the partition of land holdings, and the initiation of agricultural operations 2 The conquering Romans who pioneered cheese making 3 The marauding Moors who brought in goats to France The Moorish impact held sway over the ingredients and cooking techniques in France It is quoted the first French cookery books were greatly influenced by the exotic Moorish flavor The earliest known groundwork for the present day French recipes has been established as far back as the 1500s In this period, haute cuisine has been brought to French courts by a woman called Catherine de Medici, an Italian Down the years, chefs have perfected the art of this style of cooking The Italian inspiration has greatly changed French culinary recipes, the techniques, ingredients, and serving style The Medici cooks brought about the use of butter, truffles, artichokes, innovative dishes, and cooking styles The distinction between spicy and sugary dishes was also pioneered by them In the year 1652, French culinary recipes progressed to using mushrooms, truffles, and spices to set off and enrich the flavor of food The classical thick sauces gave way to delicate stocks and sauces, whereas meat is usually served in its own juice At that time, a French cook called La Varenne, authored the first cookery book on French cuisine, with dishes listed alphabetically, together with cooking directions for vegetables At present, French cuisine is based on the variations of the many regions of France With each region being known for its celebrated culture, cuisine in France can be broadly classified into three categories: 1 French culinary recipes based on the northern regions of the nation comprises of trouts, pikes, salmon and birds Meat dishes and tarts generally contain fruit The famous Calvados and Camembert cheeses are also included in the preparation of their food 2 French cuisine based on the regions of Central France is renowned throughout the country The popular ingredients used in their dishes are red wine and garlic butter added to chicken or beef The motivation to prepare innovative and home cooked food comes from Burgundy wines of this particular region Homemade dishes are very central to this area of France 3 French culinary recipes influenced by the southern regions of the nation comprise of olive oil, aubergines, tomatoes, Roquefort cheese, wild mushrooms, and garlic In addition, the exotic range of seafood of this region greatly augments the reputation of its food Across the word, delectable French cuisine graces the menu of many of the famous restaurants and hotels

www.300-dip-recipes.com
www.404self-improvement-tips.com

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