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How To Store Fine Chocolate In The Summer

To'ak Chocolate Bars
[1] To’Ak chocolate made from Ecuador’s Ancient Nacional cacao, one of the world’s finest (all photos © To’Ak).

To'Ak Chocolate Bar & Cocoa Powder [2] Because the chocolate is of such high quality, it’s made in bars and mini-bars, to be enjoyed a bit at a time.

To'Ak Andean Mints
[3] The most “elevated” version of Andes Mints you’ll find.

To-Ak Chocolate
[4] All of the packaging is beautiful.

To'Ak Master Series Jaguar Box
[5] The Masters Series of rare chocolate is packaged in a wooden box of local elm.

 

We’re passing along advice from To’Ak, one of the world’s exceptional artisan chocolate makers.

They specialize in Ecuador’s rare Nacional cacao, a genus which the company helped bring back from near-extinction.

This is a line of fine dark chocolate, with bars beginning at $8 and some very rare bars costing more than $400 apiece. (Discover why below.)

So they know how to care for chocolate!

Below:

> How to care for your chocolate in warm weather.

> About To’Ak chocolate.

Elsewhere on The Nibble:

> The history of chocolate.

> The different types of chocolate: a photo glossary.

> The year’s 69 chocolate holidays.

> Pairing wine with chocolate.
 
 
FINE CHOCOLATE, HOT WEATHER

You don’t have to own the costliest bars, bonbons, or cocoa powder to take good care of the good-quality ones you do have.

Even in our shade-drawn office, a box of fine chocolate disks on our desk melted together a bit in unusually high April heat (85°F), waiting for the air conditioning to be turned on in May.

Beyond melting, if chocolate gets too warm, even if it doesn’t melt, it can experience the phenomenon known as fat bloom.

  • Fat bloom happens when the cocoa butter starts to melt and then re-solidifies, altering the texture and leaving grayish streaks on the surface of the chocolate.
  • Even relatively small shifts in temperature (say, from 70°F to 75°F or 21°C to 23°C) can cause this restructuring of fats. It’s safe to eat, but the chocolate feels soft and slick.
  •  
    That’s why it was timely to receive a reminder from To’Ak to keep chocolate and cacao powder cool, but not in the fridge.
     
    Why You Shouldn’t Refrigerate Chocolate

  • Chocolate prefers a temperature between 65°F and 72°F (18°C – 22°C). A fridge is typically set at 40°F (4°C).
  • Refrigerators are cold, humid environments that can affect the look and consistency of chocolate. If you’ve ever gotten white spots on refrigerated chocolate, that’s “sugar bloom.”
  • A different phenomenon from fat bloom, moisture draws out the sugar and pushes it to the surface of the chocolate. When the condensation evaporates, the chocolate is discolored and spotted with dry, gritty, white sugar crystals. It can’t be fixed but it won’t affect the taste of the chocolate.
  • Even worse are all the flavors and odors the rich cocoa butter in the chocolate will absorb.
  • If you absolutely must use a fridge to avoid a melting disaster, use the vaccuum seal/wrap technique in Tip #3 below, and bring the chocolate to room temperature before consuming.
  •  
    Instead, follow these guidelines:
     
    Easy Steps To Better Chocolate

    1. Store your chocolate in a cool, dry place, like a pantry.

  • Chocolate keeps best in an environment between 65°F and 70°F (about 18°C to 21°C) and protected from moisture.
  • If you have a wine fridge, it’s an ideal place.
  •  
    2. Make sure the storage place is dark.

  • Both natural and artificial light makes chocolate more vulnerable to heat and oxidation.
  •  
    3. Keep chocolate far away from all odorous items.

  • Chocolate easily absorbs any odors around it. Some may be pleasant, like spices, but you don’t want them migrating into your chocollate.
  • The refrigerator holds items that generates unpleasant aromas: cheese, fish, onions, etc.
  • If you can’t avoid odors in your kitchen—including cooking odors—keep your chocolate elsewhere.
  • If there’s no “elsewhere” to keep it, vacuum seal or wrap your chocolate tightly in plastic and store in an airtight container.
  •  
    Toak Chocolate Bar
    [6] To’ak chocolate was born from a rainforest conservation project that co-founder Jerry Toth started in Ecuador in 2007, through his nonprofit organization Third Millennium Alliance. This helped create the Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve protecting, over 1,500 acres of coastal rainforest. The bars are garnished with a roasted cacao bean, a unique reminder of the fruit’s origin.
     
     
    ABOUT TO’AK

    The name To’ak comes from two ancient Ecuadorian indigenous languages and means “earth and tree.” The brand was born of a rainforest conservation project started by co-founder Jerry Toth started in Ecuador in 2007 (photo below).

    The chocolatiers treat their chocolate with the same seriousness as a vintner of fine wine or a distiller of fine spirits.

    While there are affordable options, some bars aged in a 50-year-old cognac cask cost $200, with higher prices the more rare the bean and process.

    The prices reflect the rarity. This is serious chocolate, for connoisseurs with demanding palates. Here’s what makes the chocolate so exclusive.

    The Rareness Of The Beans. To’ak exclusively uses the Ancient Nacional (na-see-oh-NOLL) variety of cacao bean, native to Ecuador, which was considered functionally extinct as recently as 2009.

  • The beans come from a tiny number of farms—just 13 or 14 growers in a single valley, Piedra de Plata. The supply of these single-origin cacao beans is radically limited by nature.
  • The farmers are paid up to 700% above the local market price for their beans. This factors into the cost and may seem extraordinary, but the farmers need strong incentive to make their rare trees economically valuable enough to protect.
  • Otherwise, you know what’s been happening to too many South American rainforests: They get chopped down for cattle grazing land.
  •  
    Scarcity. Production runs are tiny.

  • Origin bars are typically limited to 150 bars per edition, Signature bars to around 1,000.
  • This is not artificial scarcity as a marketing device but a direct consequence of working with such a limited supply of rare beans.
  •  
    The Aging Of The Beans. To’ak developed what they describe as the world’s first long-term chocolate aging program.

  • This is their most unusual and distinctive practice, and ages the chocolate as a winemaker or distiller would age their fine products.
  • In fact, the newly made chocolate bars are rested in casks that previously held Cognac, Bourbon or other whiskey, rum, Sherry, and Tequila.
  • Some bars are aged for 18 months, others for three years or more.
  • The casks impart flavor complexity while softening the tannins in the cacao.
  •  
    Vintage Harvests. Like the grapes that make wine, each year’s harvest is different.

  • Flavor nuances change based on the growing season conditions: variations in rainfall, cloud cover, and temperature during the growing season.
  • This produces vintage variations: noticeably different flavor profiles in the finished product. A particularly dry or wet year produces a different bar, e.g.
  • To’ak releases harvest-specific bars with tasting notes reflecting those differences.
  •  
    Packaging.

  • The presentation is extraordinary and the packaging alone is a collectible object after the chocolate is gone.
  • Origin bars come in handcrafted Spanish elm wooden boxes with tasting utensils, illustrated booklets, and original artwork.
  • The art series bars have included original prints by Ecuadorian artists with gold leaf details, hand-printed at old presses in Quito.
  •  
    The Embedded Bean. A unique touch that honors the bean.

  • Each bar contains a single hand-selected roasted cacao bean placed in the center: a reminder of the fruit’s origin and a signature detail (photo above).
  • Some people find it fascinating to taste where chocolate comes from. Some people find the bitter austerity before cacao is sweetened to be not to their liking. Think of it like eating a roasted espresso bean, but even more intense.
  • Instead, you can chop or crush the bean and use it as you would cacao nibs. Or, grind it in a spice grinder and add it to a rub for steak or duck—two meats where bitter chocolate is a natural complement.
  •  
    > If you know someone who would relish the To’ak chocolate experience, please direct him or her to ToakChocolate.com.
     
    Ecuadorian Rainforest
    [7] To’ak chocolate was born from a rainforest conservation project that co-founder Jerry Toth started in Ecuador in 2007, through his nonprofit organization Third Millennium Alliance. This helped create the Jama-Coaque Ecological Reserve protecting, over 1,500 acres of coastal rainforest.
     

    CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

     
      

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    For National Lobster Day, The History Of Lobster & Why We Boil Them Alive

    National Lobster Day is celebrated on two different days: June 15th September 25th (see the *footnote for why there are two).

    Below:

    > The history of lobster, from trash seafood to cash crop.

    > Lobster-producing regions.

    > Other foods that went from common to coveted.

    > The year’s lobster holidays.

    > Why are lobsters boiled alive?

    Elsewhere on The Nibble:

    > 30+ lobster recipes for every meal of the day.

    > The interesting anatomy and biology of a lobster.

    > The different types of seafood: a photo glossary.

    > The year’s 60+ fish and seafood holidays.

     
     
    THE HISTORY OF LOBSTER

    Today, lobster is one of the most prized and expensive foods in the world. Yet for much of North American history, it was considered a low-status food, fed to enslaved laborers, prisoners, servants, orphans, and the poor. The transformation of lobster from a disparaged crustacean to a symbol of luxury is one of the most remarkable reversals in culinary history.

    For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples along the Atlantic coast harvested lobsters as part of their regular diet. Native communities used lobster not only as food but also as bait and fertilizer for crops.

    When European settlers arrived in New England during the 17th century, they found astonishing numbers of lobsters along the coast. Historical accounts describe lobsters washing ashore in piles after storms and being so plentiful that they could be gathered by hand in shallow water.

    It’s hard for us to believe today since they’re so delicious, but because they were so abundant and easy to obtain, lobsters carried no prestige. In societies where scarcity often determines value, lobster’s overwhelming availability worked against it.

    By the 18th and early 19th centuries, lobster had become associated with poverty, often viewed as a food of last resort.

    Why did people disdain a food we find so delicious today?

    As an institutional food for prisoners and the poor, lobster was often boiled in massive batches until it was overcooked and rubbery. Even worse, it was frequently cooked with ground-up—shells into a sort of coarse, gritty paste or pottage to stretch the protein further.

    Even attempts at canning produced a poor quality product, which contributed to its besmirched reputation.
     
     
    Prisoners & Servants Revolt Against Lobster

    An anecdote of the time claimed that prisoners in New England revolted because they were forced to eat lobster every day. While this may be exaggerated, there is historical evidence that lobster—poorly prepared, as noted above—was indeed fed frequently to prisoners.

    In parts of New England, prison labor contracts reportedly included provisions limiting the number of lobster meals served each week. Although some of these stories have become embellished over time, the existence of such complaints indicates lobster’s low status.

    Another often-cited account describes servants objecting to being fed lobster too often, considering it degrading and monotonous. Some requested employment contracts stipulating a limit on how much they could be given.

    Some people even referred to lobster as the “cockroach of the sea,” a reference that emphasized its bottom-dwelling habits and scavenging behavior.
     
     
    Lobster Begins A “Sea Change”

    Fortunately, during the mid-to-late 19th century, lobster’s fortunes began to change.

  • Railroads made it possible to transport live or freshly cooked lobster inland.
  • Commercial canneries developed techniques for preserving lobster meat.
  • At the same time, tourism along the New England coast expanded. Wealthy vacationers visiting Maine and Massachusetts encountered fresh lobster prepared by local chefs who knew how to steam it properly.
  • For many visitors, lobster was a novelty rather than a necessity. What coastal residents regarded as common seemed exotic and memorable to tourists.
  •  
     
    Lobster Becomes Luxurious

    The “pleasure” of lobster exploded with the late 19th-century tourism industry. Maine resort chefs realized that if they served only the tail and claws (the “clean” parts), steamed them perfectly, and served them with expensive, hot clarified butter, they could rebrand the experience.

    Once the wealthy started traveling by train to the Maine coast and paying high prices for “fresh shore dinners,” lobster suddenly became “refined.” As soon as the price went up and the social status changed, people suddenly started to discover how delicious lobster had always been.

    By the early 20th century, lobster had acquired an upscale image.

  • Restaurants promoted lobster as a premium seafood.
  • Hotels featured lobster in fine dining menus.
  • Declining lobster stocks made the product more exclusive…and if it costs a lot, it’s prestigious.
  • Lobster became connected to celebration and indulgence.
  •  
    Whole Steamed Lobster With Clarified Butter & Lemon Wedge
    [8] New England resort chefs made lobster appealing to wealthy vacationers with precise steaming, clarified butter and fresh lemon (photo: The Nibble).
     
     
    MAJOR LOBSTER PRODUCING REGIONS

    American Lobster

    There are different species of clawed lobster. The species Homarus americanus, American lobster, is called by different names, including Canadian lobster and Maine lobster.

    Even if a lobster is caught in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, it is typically called a “Maine lobster” simply because “Maine” is a recognized name.

    Canadian lobster is cauaght in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island.

    All of these are also called Atlantic lobster; however, there is another clawed lobster that is also an Atlantic lobster, but comes from the western side of the Atlantic.

    European Lobster

    Homarus gammarus, the European lobster, is a different species from American lobster.

    It’s found in the Northeast Atlantic off the coasts of France, Ireland, Norway, and the U.K., but even though it comes from the Atlantic Ocean, it isn’t called Atlantic lobster.

    The easiest way to think of them:

  • American lobster is the standard term used by the seafood industry to cover both Maine and Canadian harvests.
  • European Lobster: This is the standard term for the species found in European waters.
  •   Live Lobster
    [1] Happy Lobster Day to Homarus americanus. American lobsters are incredibly long-lived and can survive up to 100 years in the wild (photo © Lisa Redfern | Pixabay).

    Cooked Whole Lobster
    [2] When lobster is cooked, heat turns the dark shell red (photo: Magnific).

    Lobster Tail Atop Orzo Pasta
    [3] Instead of linguine with clams, celebrate with poached lobster atop orzo (photo © Mackenzie Limited).

    A Pan Of Lobster Mac & Cheese
    [4] Turn the humble mac and cheese into indulgent mac and cheese. Here’s a recipe (photo © Blake’s All Natural Foods).

    Lobster Cobb Salad With Glass Of White Wine
    [5] Lobster Cobb Salad. Here’s the recipe of its originator, Wolfgang Puck (photo © The Tuck Room | NYC).

    Lobster Cocktail (Like Shrimp Cocktail)
    [6] Serve lobster cocktail as an elevated seafood cocktail. Here’s the recipe (photo © Mackenzie Limited).

    A Bowl Of Lobster Bisque
    [7] Lobster bisque is a delicious starter. You can serve it in demitasse cups if you want to keep portions small for a large dinner to come (photo: The Nibble).

     
    In addition to the American and European clawed lobsters, there are other lobsters worldwide. We’ve mentioned them briefly in the †footnote below.
     
     
    OTHER FOODS WITH A “CULINARY REVERSAL” FROM COMMON TO COVETED

    Seafood That Went From Common To Coveted

  • Caviar was so common in the 1800s U.S. that it used to be given away as bar food—the salt in the caviar made patrons thirsty to buy more beer. Now it’s a top-tier luxury item because of scarcity (over-fishing) and regulations.
  • Octopus and squid were long treated as “bait” or “poor people’s seafood.” Better tenderizing and cooking techniques, plus the rising influence of Gree, Japanese, and Spanish restaurant, landed them a place on upscale menus.
  • Oysters in the U.S. and Europe went from street food and working-class fare in many coastal cities to a pricey “raw bar” luxury. What changed: Over-harvesting and pollution reduced the supply, the cold-chain handling improved, and oysters were successfully farmed.
  •  
    Meat & Poultry

  • Bone marrow and bone broth, formerly seen as peasant food, were converted by chefs into indulgence (bone marrow) or wellness (bone broth) foods.
  • Brisket, a tough, cheap cut, became prized thanks to barbecue culture, when low-and-slow smoking/braising became a celebrated craft.
  • Chicken wings, historically low-value scraps, became a massive category thanks chefs who fried and sauced them for happy hour and sports-bar patrons.
  • Oxtail, once a budget ingredient, was embraced by chefs with the growing popularity of rich braises. The limited supply per animal raised the price, of course.
  • Beef cheeks, tongue, and tripe, long disdained as “offal” or desperation food, became marks of culinary sophistication when younger chefs embraced whole-animal (“nose to tail”) cooking, and immigration cuisines gaining in popularity.
  •  
     
    THE YEAR’S 4 LOBSTER HOLIDAYS

  • March 25: National Lobster Newburg Day
  • June 15: National Lobster Day*
  • September 25: National Lobster Day*
  • October: National Seafood Month
  •  
    More Shellfish Holidays

  • March 9: National Crab Meat Day
  • April 17: National Crawfish Day
  • April 29: National Shrimp Scampi Day
  • May 10: National Shrimp Day
  •  
    Lobsters Boiling In A Pot
    [8] Lobsters have traditionally been boiled alive to eliminate toxins (photo: Abacus).
     
     
    WHY ARE LOBSTERS BOILED ALIVE?

    Boiling a lobster alive isn’t intentionally cruel; it’s a race to stop a deadly chain reaction of microbes that want to turn its into poison the moment the crustacean dies.

    Lobsters harbor a variety of bacteria that live harmlessly in their flesh. As long as a lobster is alive, its immune system keeps the microbes in check.

    But once it dies, the bacteria multiply exponentially and begin to produce potent toxins. Even if the meat is subsequently cooked at high temperatures, those pre-formed toxins can survive the boiling process and cause severe foodborne illness.

    Beyond the risk of food poisoning, there is a structural threat to the meat. Lobsters possess a digestive organ called the hepatopancreas, known in culinary terms as the tomalley. Upon death, this organ releases powerful digestive enzymes that quickly break down the lobster’s muscle tissue in a process called autolysis. If a lobster is dead for even a short period before hitting the heat, these enzymes will turn the normally firm meat into an unappetizing mush.

    Keeping the lobster alive until the moment it enters the boiling water historically solved both the bacterial and enzymatic problems. However, the method of how this is achieved is actively shifting. Many modern chefs and several regulatory bodies have moved away from this traditional technique due to animal welfare concerns.

    In places like Switzerland and New Zealand, boiling conscious live lobsters is illegal.

    Instead, cooks use specialized electro-stunning devices or perform a precise knife strike to the lobster’s nerve centers just seconds before cooking.

    These techniques instantly dispatch the animal, bypassing the window where toxins and enzymes can ruin the flesh, while achieving the exact same food-safety goals as the traditional boiling method.

    Thanks to Nova Prism on Quora for this explanation.
     
    Wood Lobster Trap
    [9] A traditional wood lobster trap (a.k.a. lobster pot), invented in 1809 by Ebenezer Thorndike of Swampscott, Massachusetts. It revolutionized lobster fishing. Modern versions are metal and have flat tops, making them easy to stack (photo: The Nibble).
     
    ________________
     
    *June 15th is the “unofficial National Lobster Day,” meaning that it was established by individuals or companies without a government decree. These are marketing or cultural observances that are not formally established by decree of a government entity. September 25th is the “official” holiday, spearheaded by Maine lawmakers in 2014 to recognize the cultural and economic importance of the lobster and confirmed as an official observance in 2014 by a U.S. Senate resolution. Note that governments don’t create a federal, state, or local holiday, but they do formally designate observances on particular dates.

    In addition to Maine/Atlantic lobster, the true/clawed lobster (family Nephropidae, genus Homarus), the other major species used as food is the rock/spiny lobster (no big claws—family Palinuridae, genus Panulirus) from Australia, Caribbean, South Africa, and much of Asia. In New Zealand/Australia, the word “crayfish/cray” often means rock lobster (marine), not freshwater crawfish.
     

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    National Rye Day & The Year’s 100+ Cocktail /Spirit Holidays

    Bottle & Glass of King's Family Distillery Rye
    [1] Kings Family Distillery of Indiana took home the gold in the rye category at the 2026 The International Wine & Spirit Competition, for its Cask Strength 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey photo: The Nibble).

    Jack Daniel's Rye - 3 Expressions
    [2] Jack Daniel’s is known for making the world’s best-selling American whiskey, Old No. 7 Black Label Tennessee Whiskey. But they also make rye—three different expressions of it! (photo: The Nibble)

    A Bottle & Glass Of Sir Davis American Rye Whisky From Beyonce Knowls-Carter
    [3] A celebrity bottling: Sir Davis American Rye Whisky from Beyonce Knowles-Carter (photo: The Nibble).

    A Field Of Rye
    [4] A field of rye (photo © Markus Spiske | Unsplash).

    A Field Of Rye
    [5] The rye berries (grains) are ready to harvest and milled into a coarse meal to combined with hot water in the mash tun, eventually to be distilled into rye whiskey (photo © Natasha Arefyeva | Unsplash).

    Bottle Of Jack Daniel's Rye With Glencairn Whiskey Glass
    [6] The Glencairn whiskey glass is a special shape that concentrates the spirit’s aromas while diffusing harsh alcohol vapors. Its tulip shape and solid base allow for optimal swirling, nosing, and palate evaluation while fitting comfortably in the hand (photo: The Nibble).

     

    National Rye Day—the spirit, not the bread, is celebrated annually on June 13th. This year, World Gin Day, the second Saturday of June, also falls on the 13th.

    So what better day to look at the entire year of cocktails and spirits?

    Surely, your favorites are on the list. Plan ahead to invite friends over for a Happy Hour of Cosmos, Martinis, Whiskey Sours, or whatever floats your cocktail boat.
     
    Back to rye:

  • National Rye Day is on June 13th, but rye whiskey fans also celebrate a monthly holiday known as “Rye Day the 13th.”
  • National Rye Month is the month of August.
  •  
    Below:

    > The history of rye.

    > Classic rye cocktails and prominent rye brands.

    > The year’s 100+ cocktail and spirit holidays.

    Elsewhere on The Nibble:

    > The history of gin.

    > The different types of gin.

    > Gin terms a gin lover should know.

    > The year’s 14 gin holidays.

    > The year’s 40+ beer holidays.

    > The year’s 25+ red wine holidays.

    > The year’s 22+ white wine holidays.

    > The history of individual cocktails, spirits, and other foods.
     
     
    THE HISTORY OF RYE

    Wild rye (Secale cereale), the cereal grain, originated in the Fertile Crescent: the Levant, central and eastern Turkey, and adjacent regions of Southwestern Asia.

    It’s a member of the Triticeae tribe, which includes wheat and barley, which evolved in the same area. Rye and wheat diverged from a common ancestor approximately 7 million years ago.

    Archaeological evidence from the Euphrates valley of northern Syria suggests that wild rye was being gathered and possibly systematically cultivated as early as 13,000 years ago (c. 11,000 B.C.E.), making it one of the very first cereal crops used by humans.

    Its wild ancestors, Secale cereale subsp. vavilovii and Secale segetale, still grow in Turkey today.

    Cultivation migrated to westward across the Balkan Peninsula into Eastern and Northern Europe, colder climates and poorer soils where rye grows well but wheat does not. It become a staple food in the colder northern regions.
     
    Turning Food Into Drink

    Distilling rye into spirits likely began in the late Middle Ages, particularly in regions that are now Belarus, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Scandinavia.

    By the 15th and 16th centuries, rye-based vodkas and grain spirits were common throughout Eastern Europe. Polish distillers, in particular, developed a reputation for high-quality rye vodkas made from carefully selected rye grains.
     
    Rye Crosses The Pond

    European settlers brought rye cultivation and distilling traditions to North America during the 17th and 18th centuries.

    Because rye grew exceptionally well in the Mid-Atlantic colonies—especially Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia—farmers often converted surplus grain into whiskey. Distilling provided a way to preserve value and transport agricultural products more efficiently.

    Rye whiskey was widely consumed across the young United States. George Washington operated one of the largest whiskey distilleries in the country after leaving the presidency.

    By the late 1700s and throughout the 1800s, rye whiskey had become America’s dominant whiskey style.

    The enactment of Prohibition in 1920 devastated the alcoholic beverages industry. After its repeal in 1933, many rye distilleries never reopened.

    Consumer preferences shifted toward Bourbon and lighter spirits. Canadian whisky, which often incorporated rye grain, gained popularity. By the late 20th century, rye whiskey had become a niche category in the U.S.
     
    The 21st Century Revival

    Beginning in the early 2000s, rye experienced a major renaissance driven by the craft distilling movement, bartenders seeking authentic historical spirits, and a growing consumer interest in classic cocktails that helped fuel renewed appreciation for rye whiskey.

    Compared with bourbon, rye whiskey is typically drier, more herbal (often notes of dill), more peppery, and spicier, with notes of citrus peel, cinnamon, clove, and mint.

    In addition to American rye whiskey, the spirit is also distilled in Canada, Germany, Poland, and Scandinavia.
     
    Classic Rye Cocktails: Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Ward 8
    [7] Classic rye cocktails, from left: Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Ward 8 (photo: The Nibble).
     
     
    TOP RYE COCKTAILS & BRANDS

    Perhaps for the next Rye Day The 13th, you can host a party with the four most popular rye cocktails:

  • Manhattan (rye, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and a brandied or Maraschino cherry garnish)
  • Old Fashioned (rye, sugar or simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and a thick slice of orange peel for garnish)
  • Sazerac (rye, sugar or simple syrup, Peychaud’s bitters, the glass rinsed with absinthe, Herbsaint or other anise-flavored liqueur, and a lemon peel garnish)
  • Ward Eight (rye, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine, and a garnish of Maraschino cherries or an orange wedge)
  •  
    Prominent American Rye Brands

    These brands represent a variety of flavor profiles and price points:

  • Bulleit Rye is known for its signature high-rye (95%) mash bill. It has a bold, spicy kick that cuts beautifully through mixers, making it a staple at most bars.
  • Michter’s US 1 Rye is a highly awarded, single-barrel whiskey that delivers incredible balance. Enthusiasts call it a top choice for drinking neat.
  • Rittenhouse Rye has been called “legendary,” a 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond whiskey. Bartenders at better establishments like it as the base for classic cocktails like the Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
  • Sazerac Rye, a New Orleans staple crafted by the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is known for its smooth, slightly sweet profile with notes of clove and candied citrus. The 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey was a gold medalist at the 2026 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
  • WhistlePig 10 Year is a premium, 100% rye whiskey aged for 10 years. It delivers a rich, complex flavor profile featuring deep oak, baking spices, and a long finish.
  • Wild Turkey 101 Rye is a bolder, higher-proof (101!) bottling that stays true to the classic Kentucky style. With robust spice and a weightiness, it holds up in any cocktail.
  •  
    Six Top Brands Of Rye
    [8] Prominent brands of American rye whiskey (photo: The Nibble).
     

    THE YEAR’S 100+ COCKTAIL & SPIRIT HOLIDAYS
    January

  • January: Ginuary
  • January 1: National Bloody Mary Day
  • January 1: National Hangover Day
  • January 3: National Drinking Straw Day
  • January 8: National Bootlegger’s Day
  • January 11: National Hot Toddy Day
  • January 16: Prohibition Remembrance Day
  • January 17: National Hot Buttered Rum Day
  • January 25: National Irish Coffee Day
  • January 25: Burns Night
  • January 31: Brandy Alexander Day
  •  
    February

  • February, 1st Saturday: International Pisco Sour Day
  • February 3: International Straw Free Day
  • February, Monday after Super Bowl Sunday: National Football Hangover Day
  • February 6: International Bartender’s Day
  • February 8: International Scotch Day
  • February 22: National Margarita Day
  • February 24: World Bartender Day
  •  
    March

  • March 3: Bottled In Bond Day‡
  • March 3: National Irish Whiskey Day
  • March 3: National Moscow Mule Day
  • March 3: National Mulled Wine Day
  • March 5: National Absinthe Day
  • March 5: Cinco de Marcho*
  • March 13: National Rye Day
  • March 15: National Espresso Martini Day
  • March 21: Vermouth Day
  • March 24: National Cocktail Day
  • March 27: International Whiskey Day
  • March 31: National Après Day
  •  
    April

  • April: Alcohol Awareness Month
  • April 9: National Gin & Tonic Day
  • April 11: National Ranch Water Day
  • April 19: National Amaretto Day
  •  
    May

  • May 7: National Cosmopolitan Day
  • May 13: World Cocktail Day
  • May, 2nd Week: World Cocktail Week
  • May, 3rd Saturday: World Whiskey Day
  • May 15: National Pisco Day in Chile
  • May 16: National Mimosa Day
  • May 16: World Chartreuse Day
  • May 21: National Apéritif Day
  • May 22: National Craft Distillery Day
  • May 22: World Paloma Day
  • May 26: World Sherry Day
  •  
    June

  • June 3: National Cider Day
  • June 4: National Cognac Day
  • June 5: National Moonshine Day
  • June, 2nd Saturday: World Gin Day
  • June 14: National Bourbon Day
  • June 14: National Old Fashioned Day
  • June 19: National/World Martini Day
  • June, 3rd Week: National Craft Spirits Week
  • June 26: Tropical Cocktails Day
  • June 30: National/World Mai Tai Day
  • July

  • July: Dry July
  • July: Rye July
  • July 2: National Anisette Day
  • July 7: National Dive Bar Day
  • July 10: National Piña Colada Day
  • July 10: Gin Basil Smash Day*
  • July 11: World Mojito Day
  • July 11: World Rum Day
  • July 12: National Michelada Day
  • July 14: National Grand Marnier Day
  • July 16: National Rum Day
  • July 19: National Daiquirí Day
  • July 21: Legal Drinking Age Day
  • July 24: National Tequila Day
  • July 25: Mezcalita Day
  • July 27: National Scotch Day
  • July, 4th Sunday: Día del Pisco in Peru
  •  
    August

  • August 3: International Scottish Gin Day
  • August 8: International Hangover Day
  • August 9: World Baijiu Day
  • August 16: National Rum Day
  • August 25: National Whiskey Sour Day
  • August 30: National Mai Tai Day
  •  
    September

  • September 10: National Canned Cocktail Day
  • September 13: National Cachaça Day
  • September 15: National Crème de Menthe Day
  • September 20: National Punch Day & National Rum Punch Day
  • September, 3rd Week: Negroni Week
  •  
    October

  • October 1: International Scottish Gin Day
  • October 1: World Saké Day
  • October 4: National Vodka Day
  • October, 2nd Week: International Sherry Week
  • October 19: International Gin & Tonic Day
  • October, 3rd Week: National Calvados Week
  • October 21: National Mezcal Day
  • October, 4th Friday: World Champagne Day
  • October, last Saturday: Queensland Rum Day
  • October 27: National Henry C. Ramos Day (Ramos Fizz)
  •  
    November

  • November 7: National Gin Day
  • November 8: National Harvey Wallbanger Day
  • November 12: National Happy Hour Day
  • November 18 : International Poitín Day†
  • November 20: World Gibson Martini Day
  •  
    December

  • December 5: Repeal Day
  • December, 1st Friday: National Bartender Appreciation Day a.k.a. National Bartender Day
  • December 6: National Rhubarb Vodka Day
  • December 10: Trader Vic’s Birthday
  • December 14: National Screwdriver Day
  • December 20: National Sangría Day
  • December 21: National Coquito Day
  • December 24: National Eggnog Day
  • December 31: National Champagne Day (New Year’s Eve)
  •  
    ________________
     
    *The Gin Basil Smash is a bright, herbaceous, and refreshing modern classic created in 2008 by Jörg Meyer at Le Lion bar in Hamburg, Germany. It’s celebrated as the ultimate warm-weather cocktail.
     
    International Poitín Day on November 18th honora Ireland’s ancient, historically illicit “moonshine” and the rebellious distillers who kept the spirit alive during centuries of prohibition. Dating to the 6th century, poitín (put-CHEEN) is considered one of the world’s oldest spirits in the world, traditionally brewed by monks. In 1661, the British Crown outlawed poitín in order to control and tax alcohol production. It remained strictly illegal in Ireland until it was re-legalized in 1997. Today, high-quality poitín is experiencing a major revival, distilled from a wide variety of grains and potatoes. Look for premium brands like Bán, Killowen, Micil, or Shortcross.
     
     

    CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

     
      

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    Bagel Panzanella Salad For Brunch & More Panzanella Recipes

     
    Panzanella—Italian bread salad—is generally made from stale bread that’s cubed and tossed like croutons with salad ingredients.

    In this brunch panzanella recipe from Dave’s Killer Bread, the bread is fresh—Dave’s Summer Berry Bagels (photo #2)—but toasted to crouton crunchiness.

    The limited-edition summer bagels—with dried blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries—join the fresh berries in the salad to add an extra touch of sweetness.

    Alas, our local resource for the Dave’s Killer Bread didn’t have the Berry Bagels in stock. We’ll keep checking, but in the interim we hit up our neighborhood bagel shop for apple cinnamon raisin bagels.

    Below:

    > The recipe for bagel panzanella.

    > More panzanella recipes.

    > About Dave’s Killer Bread.

    Elsewhere on The Nibble:

    > The history of panzanella.

    > The history of bread.

    > The different types of bread: a photo glossary.
     
    > The year’s 20+ bread holidays.

    > The year’s 40+ salad holidays.
     
     
    RECIPE: SUMMER BERRY PANZANELLA SALAD

    Prep time is 25 minutes.

    Ingredients For 4-6 Servings

    For The Bagel “Croutons”

  • 3 Dave’s Killer Bread Summer Berry Bagels
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  •  
    For The Berry Salad

  • 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced (reserve 1/2 cup for dressing)
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup raspberries (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  •  
    For The Berry Dressing

  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  •  
    For Serving

  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or vanilla yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • Optional: mint chiffonade (photo #4)
  •    
    Berry Bagel Panzanella Salad
    [1] Berry Bagel Panzanella. Enjoy it as is, or with yogurt and honey (photos #1, #2, and #3 © Dave’s Killer Bread).

    Dave's Killer Bread Summer Berry Bagels
    [2] Dave’s Summer Berry Bagels. Each organic bagel contains 14g whole grains, 10g protein, and 3g fiber.

    French Toast Made With Dave's Berry Bagels
    [3] Turn the bagels into a French toast casserole. Here’s the recipe.

     
    Mint Chiffonade
    [4] How to chiffonade (photo: The Nibble).
     
    Preparation

    1. MAKE the bagel croutons. Heat the oven to 350°F. Cut the bagels into 3/4-inch cubes. Melt the butter in a bowl, stir in the brown sugar and salt, and toss the bagel cubes in the mixture.

    2. SPREAD on baking sheet and bake 15-18 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp. Let cool.

    3. MAKE the berry salad. In large bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss gently.

    4. MAKE the berry dressing. Place the reserved berries in a bowl. Add the brown sugar and salt. Using a fork or potato masher, mash until juicy and chunky.

    5. ASSEMBLE. Add the cooled bagel cubes to berry salad along with the mashed berry dressing. Toss slightly so the bagel croutons absorb the juice. Let sit 5-10 minutes so the bagel pieces soften while staying textured.

    6. SERVE in bowls with yogurt, poppy seeds and mint leaves.
     
    Peach Panzanella With Burrata
    [5] Peach panzanella with burrata and mint. Here’s the recipe (photo © Good Eggs).
     
    MORE PANZANELLA RECIPES

  • Autumn Panzanella Salad
  • Autumn Panzanella Salad #2, With Squash & Lentils
  • Basic Summer Bread Salad
  • Grilled Chicken Panzanella
  • Mix & Match Panzanella Ingredients
  • Naan Panzanella With Curried Croutons
  • Spring Panzanella Salad With Asparagus or Snap Peas & Shaved Parmesan
  • Summer Panzanella With Heirloom Tomatoes
  • Summer Panzanella With Peaches & Prosciutto
  • Winter Panzanella With Citrus & Cheese
  •  
    Bags Of Dave's Killer Bread
    [6] A sampling of Dave’s Killer Breads (photo: The Nibble).
     
    ABOUT DAVE’S KILLER BREAD

    Dave’s Killer Bread is always in the freezer at The Nibble. We try to cut back on carbs, but when we do reach for a slice of brea, we feel better about the significant nutritional advantages of Dave’s line.

    The breads and bagels are made with organic, non-GMO ingredients and deliver more protein, fiber, and omega-3s than standard breads. The Thin-Sliced Powerseed Loaf has 5 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and just 70 calories per slice.

    The line is USDA organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, OU Kosher, and has a minimum whole grain content of at least 8 grams per serving*.

    There’s a large assortment of breads (including thin-sliced loaves), bagels, buns, rolls, English muffins, bars (breakfast, protein, snack, and snack bites).

    We like everything we’ve tried, but perhaps our favorite is 21 Whole Grains and Seeds.

    Our nutritionist approves!

    > Here’s a store locator.

    > Check out the recipe for Dave’s Berry French Toast Casserole.
     
    ________________
     
    *While 8 grams is a meaningful amount of whole grains, the ingredients may additionally contain refined grains or extra bran/germ. As always, read the label.
     

    CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

     
      

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    Hawaiian Tuna Burger With Safe Catch Tuna Burgers

    Looks like a burger. Grills like a burger. Satisfies like a burger.⁠ And it is a burger—a tuna burger!

    Even better, it’s a box of conveniently frozen tuna burgers from Safe Catch, guaranteed to be mercury-free.

    Have you spotted them at Sam’s Club yet?

    We received a box to try from Safe Catch, and had some mighty good lunches preparing them different ways. Our favorite recipe is done Hawaiian-style.

    Prefer a cheeseburger to teriyaki mayo and a grilled pineapple ring?

    Sharp Cheddar is the bold choice for a tuna burger, while Provolone, Havarti, or Swiss are milder cheeses. All are good melters.

    Below:

    > Hawaiian tuna burger recipe.

    > Mom’s simple cucumber salad recipe and variations.

    > About Safe Catch seafood.

    Elsewhere on The Nibble:

    > Safe Catch portobello tuna burger recipe.

    > The different types of brioche.

    > The year’s 11+ burger holidays.

    > The year’s 60+ fish and seafood holidays.

    > America’s favorite burger toppings.

    > The history of the hamburger.

    > 40+ different toppings for all types of burgers.
     
     
    RECIPE: NATE & CJ’S HAWAIIAN TUNA BURGER

    Chef Nathan Lippy and CJ Frazier are the co-hosts of popular outdoor cooking and griddle-focused shows: Griddle Nation on Gusto TV and a weekly community-spotlight show, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for Blackstone Products.

    Thanks to them for creating this fun and yummy way to enjoy tuna burgers.

    Prep time is 15 minutes and cook time is 10 minutes.
     
    Ingredients For 2 Burgers

  • 2 Safe Catch Frozen Tuna Burger Patties
  • Graza Frizzle High Heat Cooking Oil (photo #3) or other high-heat oil
  • 2 brioche sesame seed buns
  • 2 fresh pineapple rings
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, julienned
  • 1/4 cup carrot, julienned
  • 1/8 cup ponzu sauce
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
  • Pickled red onions, to taste (buy or make quick pickled onions)
  • 2 leaf lettuce leaves
  • 2 tomato slices
  •  
    For Serving

  • Sweet potato fries, grilled vegetables, cucumber salad
  •  
    Preparation

    1. PREHEAT the griddle on medium heat for 10–15 minutes, or until the surface darkens slightly and light smoke appears. Meanwhile…

    2. MAKE the slaw. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce. In a medium bowl, make the slaw: Combine the cucumber, carrot, ponzu sauce, olive oil, sesame seeds, and cilantro.

     

    Hawaiian Tuna Burger On A Plate
    [1] Take a staycation to the tropics with this Hawaiian tuna burger recipe (photo: The Nibble).

    Safe Catch Hawaiian Tuna Burgers
    [2] Prep and grill (photo: The Nibble).

    A Jar Of Pickled Red Onions
    [3] You can pile on pickled red onions (photo © Taste Of Home).

    Graza Sizzle Cooking Oil
    [4] Graza Sizzle is a high-smoke-point olive oil, perfect for searing, pan frying, roasting—plus baking and marinating (photo © Good Eggs).

     
    3. ADD a thin layer of high heat cooking oil to the griddle, then place the tuna burgers and pineapple rings onto the griddle. After about 2 minutes, flip the tuna burgers and pineapple rings to cook on the other side until golden brown.

    4. BUILD the burgers. Spread the teriyaki mayonnaise on the top and bottom buns. Layer with lettuce, tomato, grilled pineapple, tuna burger, cucumber slaw, and pickled red onions. Finish with the top bun and serve immediately.
     
     
    Cucumber Salad
    [5] It’s easy to whip up a crisp cucumber salad (photo: The Nibble).
     
    RECIPE: MOM’S SIMPLE CUCUMBER SALAD & VARIATIONS

    Mom used distilled white vinegar, but we upgraded to the less acidic white wine vinegar. See the difference in the *footnote. Numerous cucumber recipes call for a large amount of sugar to offset the acidity of distilled vinegar.

    There’s no need to peel the cucumbers if you use thin-skinned English or Persian varieties.

    Ingredients

  • 3 English or Persian cucumbers, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (more to taste)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh dill or parsley
  • Optional: thinly sliced red or sweet onion, to taste
  •  
    Preparation

    Note that cucumbers are more than 90% water, and will continue to release liquid as they sit in the bowl, ultimately becoming soggy. The solution:

    Toss the sliced cucumbers with a pinch of salt in a colander and let them drain for 15 minutes. Give them a gentle squeeze in a paper towel before tossing them with the other ingredients and they’ll nice and crisp.

    1. ADD the cucumbers and optional onion to a 1-1/2- or 2-quart glass container.

    2. SHAKE the sugar, water, vinegar, dill, and salt in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, until combined. Pour over cucumbers.

    3. COVER and refrigerate overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.
     
    Variations

  • Asian: Substitute cilantro for the dill and rice vinegar for the white vinegar. Add minced ginger (we used the ginger from takeout sushi), a dash or two of light soy sauce, and a drizzle sesame oil. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
  • Creamy: For a smoother version, mix in sour cream or yogurt.
  • Mediterranean: Add halved cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onions, and feta cheese. Stir in a drizzle of EVOO and a squeeze of lemon.
  • Spicy: Add freshly ground black pepper, chile flakes, or thin jalapeño slices. Sliced radishes add more heat plus crunch. For extra heat, a dash of hot sauce.
  •  
     
    ABOUT SAFE CATCH

    Safe Catch is the world’s only 100% mercury-tested seafood brand, available in more than 19,000 retail stores nationwide and online.

    When Safe Catch founder Sean Wittenberg’s mother developed mercury poisoning from eating tuna daily, he saw an opportunity to put his scientific training into action. He assembled a team of researchers and scientists to develop a breakthrough mercury-testing technology.
     
    About Safe Catch Tuna Burgers

    Safe Catch Tuna Burgers are a convenient freezer staple. And they’re nutritious: Each patty contains 33 grams of protein—70% more protein and 30% fewer calories compared to a 4oz 80% lean beef burger.

    As of this writing (June 2026), they’re available nationwide at Sam’s Club. Here’s a store locator for the company’s other products.

    All Safe Catch products are non-GMO Verified, dolphin safe, and turtle safe. They’re the official tuna of the American Pregnancy Association, and the company also contributes to plastic recovery as a member of rePurpose Global.
     
    ________________

    *Distilled vs. White Wine Vinegar: Distilled white vinegar is made from grain alcohol. It is sour with a sharp bite because it consists purely of acetic acid and water. White wine vinegar, on the other hand, is made from fermented white wine. It has a softer, fruitier flavor and tastes bright and crisp rather than strictly sour. With white wine vinegar, you can use 1 tablespoon of sugar or less.
     

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