THE NIBBLE Gourmet News & Views
Trends, Products & Items Of Note In The World Of Specialty Foods
Read all of our content on TheNibble.com, the online magazine about specialty food.
Archive for Coffee & Tea
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July 2, 2008 at 1:21 pm
· Filed under Beverages, NutriNibbles, Coffee & Tea
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| It’s no news to most of us that coffee—that growth-stunting, tooth-staining, for-grown-ups-only beverage—has undergone a substantial image makeover of late. In recent years, studies have begun to emerge indicating a positive correlation between coffee consumption and good health. Some studies show that coffee is, on the whole, far more salutary than it is harmful; one USDA study shows that coffee has more antioxidants than blueberries! All of this comes as quite a relief to those who consume it by the gallon each day.Since 2006, Spava Coffee has been allowing coffee guzzlers to increase multifold the health and wellness benefits of their daily dose of Joe. Beyond being Certified Organic and Fair Trade (read: good for the buyers, the producers and the planet), the line is nutrient-fortified. Using a patent-pending technology, Spava infuses Fair Trade, 100% Arabica coffee beans with vitamins and herbal nutraceuticals that target specific health concerns. These enhancers are completely flavorless, allowing the drinker to enjoy the coffee’s nutty, woody aroma and characteristic bitterness without interference. |
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Spava fortified coffees offer infusions of
chondroitin sulfate for speedy healing, ginkgo
biloba for memory-strengthening, or rosehips, vitamin C and echinacea for immunity. |
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The question is: How much coffee do you have to drink to get the benefits? The answer: a lot. That’s why we said it’s “good for guzzlers.” Here are some examples:
-A cup of Spava Clarity provides 20mg of ginkgo biloba and 25mg of white tea extract. One of the country’s most prominent neurologists, who specializes in memory, prescribes 120 mg of ginkgo twice a day for normal maintenance of clarity.
-Spava Flexibility contains 30mg of chondroitin sulfate, and 20mg of MSM. Anyone who is concerned with prophylaxis—much less healing and pain—is taking a minimum of 500mg of chondroitin sulfate daily, and similar amounts of glucosamine sulfate. So, this is a drop in the bucket.
-Spava Immunity has 25mg of rosehips per cup, which contain vitamin C, plus 35mg of echinacea; but anyone who takes vitamin C pills for immunity aims for 500mg a day.
However, little bits can add up, and for people who don’t like to swallow pills, 20mg or 30mg is better than nothing at all. While the coffee won’t pass muster with the coffee connoisseur klatsch, it tastes as good as what most people enjoy. And the attractive package is a nice idea. So, if all this makes it worth it to you to pay double the amount for a bag…tear one open and start brewing!
Read the full review of Spava Fortified Coffee and find more about organic, natural & wellness foods in the Nutrinibbles section of THE NIBBLE online magazine.
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June 28, 2008 at 8:00 am
· Filed under Cookies/Cake/Pastry, Coffee & Tea
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Cookie, waffle, chocolate and caramel in one luscious treat. Above, the Milk Cappuccino Dutch Moon stroopwafel cookie. Photography by Saidi Granados. |
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Stroopwafels are an old Dutch treat, invented in the town of Gouda in 1784. The traditional way to eat them is with a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. Just before it is eaten, the stroopwafel is placed on top of the hot cup in order to soften it up; the filling melts, and scents of cinnamon and nutmeg are released into the air. Originally a poor man’s treat made from crumbs, the cookies are ubiquitous in Holland, from inexpensive supermarket varieties to artisan-baked cookies. An American wife and Dutch husband have revived the artisan art in New Amsterdam, with delightful results: Chewy, chocolate-dipped Dutch caramel wafers, for small daily indulgences, guest treats and gifts. They are perfect with coffee and tea, and a novel gift for a host or hostess.
We were sad when one of our favorite artisan producers in Massachusetts discontinued the delicious stroopwafel from its line. The complex yet homey cookies just weren’t moving as fast as other items, they said. We can only conclude that it’s because most Americans have never heard of a stroopwafel, and don’t know how good it is. Whether from a gourmet producer or the supermarket, it’s not easy to find a stroopwafel in this country. |
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So we were thrilled when, at a recent restaurant trade show in New York City, we came across Dutch Moon Cookies. New Yorker Tracey Denton and her Dutch husband Eelco Keij, created this Dutch treat for Americans. Succulent and cinnamony, it’s a most delicious introduction to the stroopwafel.
Read the full review on TheNibble.com.
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May 20, 2008 at 9:10 am
· Filed under Coffee & Tea, Entertaining, Tip Of The Day
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These tiny Dough Ray Me cookies, a Nibble Top Pick, make a perfect companion for tea time.
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When was the last time you had afternoon tea? Most of us have forgotten about the ritual that used to be part of everyday genteel life. Even if you prefer coffee to tea, this elegant social and gustatory delight should be experienced more often—if only as a reason to get out the good china, see your friends and enjoy those delightful little sandwiches and pastries. Revive the art of the tea party: Be the kick-off host and get your circle of friends to take turns hosting tea on the last Sunday of the month (or whenever). It’s much easier than preparing brunch, and since tea begins at 4 p.m., you don’t have to wake up early. Click here for a good book to start you on your way (the book can be passed from host to host). Learn how to brew the perfect cup of tea at THE NIBBLE online magazine. |
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April 23, 2008 at 11:06 am
· Filed under Chocolate, Coffee & Tea
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| What do you do when you’ve mastered coffee? Come up with a line that goes with it. Starbucks has launched Starbucks Chocolate, a portfolio of artisan-style chocolates inspired by their coffee and Tazo tea products—and in some cases, containing pieces of the coffee and tea. The chocolate looks beautiful: a glossy finish and beautiful design. And it tastes great, too.
Starbucks’ offerings include chocolate bars, tasting squares, truffles and chocolate-covered coffee beans. The chocolate was designed in consultation with The Artisan Confections Company, the subsidiary of The Hershey Company that owns the artisan chocolate brands Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Joseph Schmidt Confections and Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker.
The chocolate quality is superb—among the best one can find outside a gourmet bar store, and some of the products can compete with most of what is found within those stores. The price is right: 3-ounce bars for $2.99, boxes of tasting squares and Milk Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans for $4.99 to $5.49 and five flavors of Chocolate Truffles in the same price range. |
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Take a bite out of Starbucks’ tasty new line of affordable, artisan-style chocolate. |
| Our only unhappiness is that today, we can’t find anyone online to ship these to us. But the products were just launched last month, and distribution will evolve. Whenever you see them, grab them. For three to five dollars a pop, they’re a treat you can enjoy, and a gift you can afford to give. Read the full review of Starbucks Chocolate, and find more about artisan chocolate in the Gourmet Chocolate & Chocolate Gifts section of THE NIBBLE online magazine. |
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January 25, 2008 at 11:35 am
· Filed under Gourmet News, Coffee & Tea, Cocktails & Spirits, Recipes
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| Today is National Irish Coffee Day. Read the history of Irish Coffee and try these Irish Coffee recipes.
This popular drink isn’t for waist-watchers, but everyone should enjoy an Irish coffee once a year on Irish Coffee Day. Combine 6 ounces of hot coffee with 1-1/2 ounces Irish whiskey and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. Stir to dissolve and float heavy cream on top (don’t mix it in). Irish Coffee is traditionally served in a glass-handled mug so you can enjoy watching the layers, but it tastes great in any vessel.
Read more about Irish Whiskey…which can be wonderful to sip on its own, as well as in the cocktail recipes in the article.
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 Celebrate with an Irish coffee. |
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January 14, 2008 at 10:07 am
· Filed under Contest, Kosher Nibbles, NutriNibbles, Coffee & Tea
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A tea connoisseur’s delight.
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Do you like fine tea? Enter this week’s Gourmet Giveaway on THENIBBLE.com. Answer four fun trivia questions about tea. Whether you answer right or wrong, you’ll be entered into the prize drawing. The lucky winner will receive this Rishi Gift Set, featuring exquisite green and jasmine teas from China and Japan, selected for their superior quality. Any tea connoisseur would love to receive Snow Sprout, Precious Pearl and Hojicha, specially-selected teas that are delicate, fragrant, and complex. The set includes natural, unbleached tea filters for brewing tea in a cup, mug or pot. Retail value: $35.99. Rishi teas are USDA certified organic and certified kosher by Kosher Supervisors of Wisconsin. This set and other tea gift sets are available at DelightfulDeliveries.com. |
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January 8, 2008 at 7:36 pm
· Filed under Diet Nibbles, Coffee & Tea
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| What happens when you mix Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice with green, white and red teas? You get three flavors of Light Tea Pom, a captivating new beverage that, as Candide might have said, is the best of all possible worlds. There’s the rich, ripe flavor of pomegranate juice and the lightness of tea, all for just 35 calories per eight ounces. There’s the double antioxidant hit of these two antioxidant powerhouses. There’s a keepsake glass with each purchase. And, the teas make great cocktail mixers. The best of all possible worlds, indeed! Read the full review in THE NIBBLE online magazine, and find more of our favorite iced teas in our Tea Section. |
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Iced tea blended with Pom Wonderful. |
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January 7, 2008 at 10:52 am
· Filed under Contest, Coffee & Tea
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Like coffee? Enter this week’s Gourmet Giveaway on THE NIBBLE.com. Answer four fun trivia questions about coffee. Whether you answer right or wrong, you’ll be entered into the prize drawing. The lucky winner will receive this Starbucks Coffee Sampler (photo at right), chock full of goodies:
- 5 different Starbucks ground coffees,
- 2 boxes of Starbucks hot cocoa
- 2 packages of Starbucks graham crackers
- 2 packages of Starbucks biscotti
- 1 box of Marich’s delicious English Toffee CaramelsYou can keep them all for yourself or have an excuse to invite friends for coffee. |
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Win me! Drink me! Eat me! This Starbucks Gift Sampler prize is available at DelightfulDeliveries.com. |
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November 6, 2007 at 10:29 pm
· Filed under Beverages, Gourmet News, Coffee & Tea
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Drink more tea: It’s good for you! |
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The U.S. market for tea is expected to double over the next five years, boosted by a growing interest in wellness, says a newly-published report by market research firm Packaged Facts. They project that sales of instant, leaf, liquid concentrate and ready-to-drink tea will reach nearly $15 billion by 2012, compared to $7.4 billion this year. The specialty tea segment of the market, which currently makes up 36% of the total, will grow to more than 50% of tea and ready-to-drink tea sales in the U.S. The main driver of growth is the growing interest in health and wellness foods—and one that promises anti-aging effects. A growing list of benefits include lower risk of certain cancers, weight loss, and protection against Alzheimer’s, all linked to the polyphenol content of the tea (green tea contains 30% to 40% water-extractable polyphenols, black tea between 3% and 10%. |
Last month alone, three new studies of tea benefits in major medical journals were released:
- A study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggested that a one gram drink of black tea may have the potential to stimulate an insulin response and reduce blood sugar levels.
- Another study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that drinking five cups of green tea a day may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 48 percent.
- A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking tea regularly may lead to improvements in bone health, similar to that observed with calcium or physical exercise.The American palate has become more sophisticated, too. The day of the generic black tea bag is over. Chai, yerba mate, rooibos and other specialty teas are here to say. Learn more about tea—and see some of our favorite specialty tea brands—in the Tea Section of THE NIBBLE online magazine. |
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October 12, 2007 at 10:20 am
· Filed under Gourmet News, NutriNibbles, Coffee & Tea
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| Sales of organic coffee are growing so fast these days, that most other categories can only be envious. U.S. retail sales of organic coffee increased 24% in 2006 to $110.36 million, impressively outpacing the 15% growth of organic foods in general, according to the 2007 Organic Manufacturer Survey conducted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). According to Caren Wilcox, OTA’s Executive Director, the dramatic increase in organic coffee sales also reflects consumers’ growing interest in organic products, awareness of their availability in venues ranging from small coffee shops to “Big Box” stores, and the ever-increasing quality of organic coffee. In fact, several organic coffees from farms in Nicaragua won the Cup of Excellence competition in that country, held in June. The prestigious award program, managed by the U.S.-based Alliance for Coffee Excellence, selects the best coffees produced in a particular country in a particular year. |
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Don Francisco’s, one of the top organic coffees in our review. |
| Participants in the Organic Coffee Collaboration, a project of the Organic Trade Association, are driving much of the increase in retail sales. The companies provide much of the organic decaffeinated, caffeinated, flavored and instant coffees widely available at retail outlets nationwide and direct from roasters via the Internet. The companies include Café Bom Dia (marketer of the Marques De Paiva brand, and also certified as carbon-neutral, of Coral Gables, FL), Dallis Coffee (also Fair Trade Certified, of New York City), DaSilva Fine Brazilian Coffee (marketer of ultra premium single-estate coffee directly from Espírito Santo, Brazil, of Winston-Salem, NC), Elan Organic Coffee (marketer of socially responsible coffees it develops through partnerships with village co-ops, of San Diego, CA), Equal Exchange (worker-owned cooperative, Fair Trade Certified™ and one of largest U.S. organic coffee roasters, of West Bridgewater, MA), F. Gaviña & Sons (producer of Don Francisco’s Specialty Coffee brand, of Vernon, CA), Fresh Harvest Products (of New York City), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (of Waterbury, VT) and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Company (of Vancouver, BC, Canada). Try them! (You’ll find some of them reviewed in our article on organic coffees.) Organic coffee is grown in more than 30 countries, including the United States. It uses methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment, replenishing and maintaining soil fertility, avoiding the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and building biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic farmers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Consumers who choose organic products do so for both the chemical-free factor and to support the environment. |
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