Not just coffee

Posts Tagged espresso

G-F Chocolate

Jul 27

Posted by admin in gluten-free

To indulge but to survive. That’s the G-F battle cry. Well there’s hope on the horizon for the chocolate lovers. You can indulge without a worry as the product line of options continues to grow.

The Think Thin folks have an impressive lineup including chocolate fudge, mudslide, and dark chocolate. They even have mini bars coming in at 100 calories with plenty of protein for fortification. You can easily conquer the sweet tooth craving.

Lara Bars are recognized more for their fruit flavor varieties, but the new dark chocolate bar will please those who shy away from the sweet date-nut taste and prefer a lingering chocolate flavor. The Jocalat line includes my personal combination of tastes: Chocolate Coffee. A win-win G-F taste!Laracoffee_main_large

As more people seek out high protein bars and quick snacks, the G-F marketplace continues to expand and offer possibilities.

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On Ice, Please

May 7

Posted by admin in beverages

Love this time of the year when vendors think about adding ice cubes and offering ways to chill us down. Iced coffee has been my drink since the 1st warm day of summer/spring which is the way the season came in this year!

Now everyone’s vying for my attention. Let me explain the ground rules: I pretty much like a black coffee over ice. The other way is a black water drink that has little impact. I prefer a couple of espresso shots that I then pour over ice. If I am out and order a coffee, I often ask for a coffee and a separate glass of ice. Please. Trust me. This works and preserves the integrity of the brew. The only other process with some hope of eliciting a delicious sigh comes when a true coffee maven says, “Want a couple of shots of espresso that I pull over ice?” YES, that’s an ally.

If you wander over to Starbucks, you’ll see they’re focused on us. Yes, how would you like that Frappucccino is the question of the season. Here’s your chance to create the cool drink you want–make it lite with skim, skip the whipped, add an extra shot. You get the message. Your way. This is a good week to take advantage of their new approach to Frappuccinos as they celebrate 1/2-priced Happy Hour specials until the 16th.

Dunkin’ Donuts is quite serious about their iced response and intends to introduce a new, stronger dark roast that will boost the flavor profile for the iced coffee drinkers. They already do a double roast for their iced drinks in keeping with my personal mantra: Don’t water it down. Most locations have a free iced coffee afternoon on the 11th.

McDonald’s has not turned its back on the iced potential. They are into frappes and offer a wide selection of iced beverages. Their price point may make them a serious player in these still tough economic times.

Maybe the biggest news of all is that iced slushie2a17351540164051968e9a4a8e2d42af or slurpee type drinks have an advantage before exercising. Green’s my favorite.

Love this icy season!

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A Caffeine Hi

May 4

Posted by admin in FDA, beverages

Yep, your cheerfulness will be noted when you greet everyone (a “HI”) from your over indulgence of caffeine-boosted beverages. Let’s see a couple of cups of coffee and a few cans of something to pep you up and pretty soon you’re reaching levels of caffeine that are heart-healthy questionable!

It seems there are no shortage of new companies entering this market, and a growing market space it is! In the US, no one seems to focus on the potential problems associated with these high-flying beverages. A new study from University of Illinois researchers calls for the FDA to put this beverage back on the look-and-see list. Now let’s review: The FDA is loaded with projects and all types of food-related concerns. Where should the over exuberance from energy drinks fit on the agenda? sobeTough one to call.

The facts from the above study say that this market space with new entrants and more boost for the buck needs attention from someone. They cite the UK which just this past week published a code of practice for the ever-growing energy drink market. The drinks according to the the British Soft Drink Association now need to carry a label warning: “Not suitable for children, pregnant women and persons sensitive to caffeine.” Love that last little phrase! Are there individuals who truly do not get a caffeine bounce? Is the high merely in our mind?

Sometimes. Sometimes. I know that I can have multiple espressos and feel nothing other than pleased by the light colored crema atop the cup. Then there are the times, that last cup has me sailed so that makes me “sensitive to caffeine.”

Warning labels on diet soda drinks are understandable. Warning labels on everything, that’s a whole ‘nother discussion.


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Chocolate and Coffee: The Dream Team

Mar 30

Posted by admin in food universe, health

As a follower of all health news, especially when it pertains to coffee, chocolate, and an assortment of other foods, I loved the latest report from the European Health Journal that says I’ve been right all along. Or that other studies have found their way into my heart and this latest one confirms the data. Simple findings; complex end results.

A half a bar of chocolate a week lowers blood pressure. That’s easy to understand; you’re less tressed about whether or not to have the treat. Have it and your blood pressure will thank you. Over 19,000 individuals were studied during an 8-year period. That in itself helps validate the data as so many studies involve far fewer people and cover a more limited time period. This translates into a reduced risk for strokes and heart attacks. Of course, the caveat is that too much chocolate produces negative results such as weight gain. The simple takeaway: The little bit of chocolate reduced heart attacks and strokes by 39%. That’s well worth the minimal chocolate addiction! Once again we have the flavanols to thank.

As for coffee, scientists believe they have found the ingredient that could help individuals who have difficulty digesting and enjoying a perfect cup of caffeine. This turns out to be a significant part of the population that voices stomach issues: 2 out of every 10 people. Several products are already marketed as helpful to this population, but this particular European study focused on the specifics that cause irritation. Interestingly enough they found that espresso, which most assume is stronger, produces fewer irritations and is easier to digest and tolerate. The darker the roast, the easier for the stomach to handle the beverage. Know it sounds backwards, but the research supports forward-thinking.

The perfect pair: The darker the better. Chocolate and espresso. Yes.lavazzabeans

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Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

Feb 9

Posted by admin in Michelle Obama, beverages, news

It’s a bad day to be a can of soda: Talk about getting kicked around.

That’s what’s happened today. Actually some of the news started yesterday when a link between sweetened drinks and pancreatic cancer grabbed headlines all day. Interesting that the study only took into account those who consumed multiple sugar-sweetened sodas daily. They did not study diet sodas or even sugar-sweetened fruit juices. The report (which covered a 14-year period with a sizable sample) found an 87% increase in the possibility of getting pancreatic cancer in individuals who consumed as few as two cans of soda a week. It’s the spike in insulin which occurs from the highly sweet beverage. Juice was not considered a culprit because quantities are often less than with soda consumption.

Soda has been linked to any number of medical issues before, but today it truly grabbed the limelight when First Lady Michelle Obama tackled childhood obesity and pointed a finger at a number of culprits, including soda. The message translates quite simply: We can control what we put in our bodies and what we offer our children. The obesity figures are staggering ( 1 in 3 children ages 6-19 are overweight and 1 in 5 are considered obese) and label us as an overweight society.

The School Lunch Program will receive greater scrutiny, and all facets of the food industry will be asked to consider how they can join the Partnership for a Healthier America. By creating a Task Force on Childhood Obesity, the nation will be able to work in lock step with all aspects of the food industry in bringing down the dangerous obesity numbers.

The First Lady has had a great first year focusing us on how we can all be healthier. The White House Garden was an important first step. Now the attention is on the whole child and the society that we have become. The worry is that with the current obesity figures, young people will have a shortened life span. The time to get off the couch and get moving logo_letsmoveis now.

The non-alcoholic Beverage Industry was ready with its response: Front and center labeling will spell out the calorie count in a visible fashion for packages, vending and fountain machines. In addition to smart labeling, the industry will continue its efforts to lessen sugar counts and reduce package sizes. Recall that Coke introduced a smaller can, with fewer calories, a while ago and has been aggressively marketing its properties.

Beer has had a much better week. It is not the first study that links the properties from a beer especially one with a high count of hops and barley to improved bone strength or a way to ward off osteoporosis. The new darlings, the wheat beers, would not qualify as being strong contenders in this space so ask for a light ale with a high malt content. This study has another added component: Women who seem to have more staggering numbers when it comes to instances of osteopenia or osteoporosis may think twice when they shrug off the beer choices. Raise the stein for bone density.

I know, I know, everything in moderation. Fill your refrig with a variety of foods and eliminate the sugar-laden ones that weigh us down. Water’s good, but my espresso lifestyle is not that bad!

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Coffee Counts

Jan 29

Posted by admin in lifestyle, news

Let me just say, I always knew I was onto something good! Yes, my multiple cups of coffee in the morning, afternoon, and evening have been enjoyable parts of my day. They affect my mood: Good. My rhythm: Smooth, OK, a little bouncy. My lifestyle: Immersed.

Now I understand how a simple little comment can further validate my modus operandi. In flipping thru the channels this AM while doing treadmill hills, I heard a report that had me hit the pause, I’m with you on this channel button. The topic was the importance of having at least 9 glasses of liquid daily (12 for men), and guess what, the reporter said the magic words: Coffee Counts. All those years thinking that my all-important coffee was just a stand-in for all the water I was supposed to drink, had just been given validation. She did say 1-4 cups of coffee count. OK, so all coffee, all the time’s not gonna work, but hey, if the first 4 count: I’m well on my way.

This just proves you can find proof for your personal belief with just a little time and effort. Made my whole exercise regime pay for itself!

Push the magic button, here comes another espresso–they’re small, maybe 8 of ‘em go into the important liquid column.saeco

Love this type of report!

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Fruit to Sleep

Dec 18

Posted by admin in health, life

Everyone knows caffeine is bad late at night; it keeps you awake. That is unless your body is conditioned to enjoy it as part of a great dinner or a special, soothing hot beverage to cap an evening. It’s conditioning. Coffee is the enemy and keeps you awake only if you let it! Trust me. I live the late-nite double espresso existence.

What if  you are on the other end of the spectrum? What if the caffeine gets you? What then helps you fall asleep and sleep soundly? There are those that suggest a warm glass of milk instead of the hot coffee. Or the camp that says a bowl of cereal–milk again tops the list for its calcium-inducing factors. How about other strategies to help awaken the melatonin and get the sleep juices going?

A new report says a handful of dried cherries or even a banana about an hour before bedtime does the trick. No wonder the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, Michigan offers a cherry massage. It’s a natural! Also not coincidental that this is the location of the annual National Cherry Festival. Not a difficult food to honor!  Tasty and good for you: A perfect combination.cherry

Sleep well.

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Is It Safe to Drink 50 Glasses of Wine?

Dec 1

Posted by admin in beverages, chocolate

That’s the question I have to ask myself after hearing about the newest nutrition bar. Yes, it’s great to find a product with only 190 calories. Love the fact that it’s marketed as a luxury nutrition bar. That’s a new branding category, I think. Another positive: High in fiber and loaded with seven super fruits such as pomegranate. Getting me excited.

Am a little flummoxed by the quantity claim that the WineTime Bar contains as much resveratrol as 50 glasses of red wine! Now you understand my problem. Love the health benefits from resveratrol and the fact that the company sourced the Rhone reds, but am just a little confused by how much is too much.

Should we be drinking 50 glasses of red wine at a time? Should one bar which we will willingly enjoy for its fiber-rich, low-calorie, dark chocolate taste be a substitute for those many enjoyable sips of dinner reds? There’s something fundamentally wrong with this picture.bars-small

Who is doing the science to question how much resveratrol we should consume in one sitting? How much is too much? How many bars should we have daily? Three? 150 glasses?

Those who jumped on the early bandwagon and consume resveratrol pills may want to enjoy a bar instead. A glass of water and a pill is one approach, but a chocolate bar certainly sounds more appealing. We just have a few unanswered questions.

Personally, I prefer to have my cake and eat it, too, or in this case my chosen glass of red with a small bar of 71% dark chocolate and then my double espresso!

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New York, New York

Nov 20

Posted by admin in dining out, food universe

If you want to see what people are eating and study the economy at the same time, take a bus, train, or car to New York, and you’ll gain a solid understanding of  trends.

When lobster prices were hitting rock bottom this summer and some lobster roll spots were still charging more than a pretty penny for the popular dish, an enterprising guy from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, checked in with his dad, owner of a seafood company with strong ties to the lobstermen. They came up with a perfect solution: Luke’s Lobster.

This almost two-month old space demonstrates that you can serve fresh seafood from Maine and not rock the bank account. They even package some choices to give the whole flavor of the state, a lobster, crab, or shrimp roll with Miss Vickie’s Chips, and a Maine Root drink. As a way of giving back, they donate a portion of their profit to the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. Good plan: Thank the source.

Stay in the East Village and grab a sweet repast you’ll longingly remember. No matter how many times you visit Veniero’s, you’ll be amazed at its consistency as a top Italian bakery. If you want tradition in the Italian art of delicious sweets, they capture your tastebuds. Walk past the bakery display (if you can control yourself) to the seating area so you can sit comfortably and enjoy the full experience. I recommend, always recommend, the chocolate cannoli and an almond cookie to accompany the perfect espresso.chocshell2

Before you leave lower Manhattan, consider a stop at Russ & Daughters. Yes, in continuing to blend the new (Luke’s, the Bakeri) with the traditional (Veniero’s and Russ’s), you’ll find yourself overwhelmed by the quality and the care from a true fishmonger. You might go in to get a little hand-sliced lox, but you’ll probably leave with several other tidbits. If it’s corned beef you want, you’re just a hop away from Katz’s.

Grab an L train for a short ride to Williamsburg and the new Bakeri for a taste of perfection: baguette, brioche, croissant or… with an exacting cappuccino. They even make some sandwiches and soups. Do not mind the clock, as time travels slowly here, reminiscent of a European cafe. Why rush something so good?  The back garden is a true respite; bundle up and take the espresso outside.

If you’re planning to walk around the hyper-trendy Williamsburg, then you might stay for dinner; lots of well-priced options from unbelievable chicken at Peter’s to true Middle Eastern falafel at Oasis.

So many choices for a quick walk-around weekend.

Til next time.

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Coffee Wars

Nov 13

Posted by admin in Pairings, beverages, news

We’ve had a week of restaurant and grocery news. Now it’s time to focus on our namesake: The Love of Coffee. Yes, there is such a thing as a bad cup of coffee. Very sad. Poor beans, improper roasting, and bad tasting water. Three individual aspects that can kill the whole experience. As an espresso aficionado, this is the season where a hot, steaming cup tastes better than any other time of the year. (OK, in summer a double over iced is pretty terrific).

Now to make it an even more enticing experience, coffee companies and beverage outlets have decided to reward us with little extras. McDonald’s continues to be a significant player with its full espresso line. By this summer they plan to have frappes ready for those looking for a reasonably priced beverage.

Caribou Coffee decided to carve its niche as the company with real chocolate drinks. By using Guittard Chocolate, they have a new line of drinks featuring beautifully crafted chocolates joining forces with coffee and creating drinks such as a dark chocolate latte. Chocolate and coffee have always created an impressive pairing blend.

Godiva Chocolatier decided to join the fray by introducing new coffees, including truffle-infused blends, for the growing home market of coffee drinkers. Again we see the chocolate notes working into the coffee profile.

It’s all about the important wake-up call. Coffee still has more steam than many other beverages. At this time of the year as we’re thinking of holiday meals and presents, nothing wrong with a coffee purchase!

Personally I like mine in a cup without any flavorings. Just good beans, roasted properly, filtered water and bingo! Don’t forget my dark chocolate square, right next to my cuppa.

No problem. I’m waiting.

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