Southwestern Chai: Spicy Chai With New Mexico Chimayo Chiles

Since the early 1900s, the British-owned Indian Tea Association began to promote their version of chai—which began as an ancient ayurvedic beverage of a mixture of spices and herbs called masala, brewed in water. The origins of that beverage can be traced back 5,000 years, when Indian emperors drank a caffeine-free spiced drink to stay…
Continue reading “Southwestern Chai: Spicy Chai With New Mexico Chimayo Chiles”

An Olive Juice Gift & Recipe For Your Dirty Martini Pals

[1] Pure olive juice is the best mixer for a Dirty Martini (photo © Sonoma Syrup Co). [2] Most Dirty Martini lovers want more than one olive in their drink. You can also garnish a Dirty Martini with a sliver of roasted pepper, a preserved cherry pepper (photo © Our/New York Vodka | Facebook). [3]…
Continue reading “An Olive Juice Gift & Recipe For Your Dirty Martini Pals”

It’s All About Bees! Honey~Luscious Flavored Honey Gifts

It’s All About Bees, a line of creamed honey, liquid honey, and honey-based condiments (BBQ and other sauces, fruit butters, jams, jellies, mustards, salsas, syrups) by third-generation beekeeper Wendy Fletcher. Her honey heritage dates to the 1930s when her grandfather kept bees in Homer, Nebraska. In the 1970s, the Fletchers started beekeeping full-time. Four families…
Continue reading “It’s All About Bees! Honey~Luscious Flavored Honey Gifts”

What Is Sotol? A Mexican Spirit That Isn’t Tequila Or Mezcal!

[1] Sotol can be drunk with salt and lime, similar to tequila (photo © Cristian Rojas | Pexels). [2] Hacienda de Chihuahua is the leading producer of fine sotol. Sotol plata (a.k.a. blanco, joven, or silver) is not aged. It goes straight from distillation to the bottle (photos #2, #3, #4, #5, and #16 ©…
Continue reading “What Is Sotol? A Mexican Spirit That Isn’t Tequila Or Mezcal!”

Black Salsa For Halloween, El Dia De Los Muertos & Beyond

[1] A great gift for salsa fans (photos #1, #2, #3, #4 © Villa México Cafe). [2] The salsa comes in two sizes but only one strength: medium. [3] Freshly-made, waiting to cool. [4] Tortilla chips are only one of many ways to use black salsa. See more below. [5] Named one of Boston’s best…
Continue reading “Black Salsa For Halloween, El Dia De Los Muertos & Beyond”