FOOD 101: For National Mocha Day, The History Of Mocha

September 29th is National Mocha Day. It’s also National Coffee Day, celebrating mocha’s parents—coffee (the other is chocolate. What is mocha (MO-kuh), and where did it come from?     MOCHA HISTORY The coffee bean, which was first discovered growing wild in Ethiopia, was not extensively cultivated until the 15th and 16th centuries. Then, extensive…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Make Masala Chai Concentrate

[1] A cup of chai, garnished with star anise. You can re-use one of the stars used to brew the concentrate (photo courtesy The Prairie Homestead). [2] A hearty masala chai spice blend (photo courtesy Spice Station). [3] Enjoy your Indian tea in an elephant tea pot (alas, this one from Houzz is no longer…
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TIP OF THE DAY: K-Cup Coffee Club

[1] Try Illy’s K-cup line of Medium and Dark Roast blends, and the new single origin Colombia and Brasile (photo courtesy Illy). [2] Six varieties of Nespresso-compatible capsules from Rosso Caffe (photo courtesy Rosso Caffe). [3] There’s liquid cold brew inside these K-cups. Use them in the machine, or pour over cold water and ice…
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Homemade Bubble Tea & Bubble Coffee Recipe

[1] Bubble tea; bubble coffee looks pretty much the same (photo © Twinings). [2] Strawberry “bubble tea.” The fruit drinks are a “freeze” made in a blender with tea, fresh fruit, simple syrup, ice and tapioca balls (photo © Dream Big Photos | IST). [3] Matcha bubble tea. Here’s the recipe from Two Sleevers (photo…
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