Celebrate The First National Tea Day With These Tea Facts

[1] A tea estate in China. While China is the world’s largest tea-producing nation, it keeps most of what it grows for its own consumption (photo © The Meaning Of Tea). [2] The top three leaves of the bush, called “two leaves and a bud,” are the only leaves used in premium tea (photo ©…
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Indian Spice Blends: Chaat Masala vs. Garam Masala & More

[1] Amchoor, an ingredient of chaat masala. A fruity spice powder made from dried unripe green mangoes, it adds citrusy notes (photo courtesy La Boite NYC). Asfoetida[/caption] [2] Asafoetida, the dried gum of the taproot of an herb, is ground into a powder (photos #2, #4, and #6 A.I. generated). [3] Black rock salt or…
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Beyond Classic Hummus (Other Ways To Make & Serve This Popular Dip & Spread)

Over the last two decades, hummus has evolved from a mezze at Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants to the hottest, most nutritious dip and spread at supermarkets nationwide. It’s the darling of nutritionists, nutritious and versatile, and a better-for-you snack. It also is welcome to vegans, kosher consumers, and the lactose intolerant. Hummus is a…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Storing Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs add punches of flavor to any savory dish—and some sweet ones*. They also help to cut back on salt, which is a cheaper way to counter blandness in recipes. Fresh herbs are worth what they cost; but to get your money out of them, take an easy step to preserve their life in…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Make Flavored Water

For some of us, a refreshing drink is a glass of still water, flavored with fruit. Hint, with 12 flavors (plus 7 sparkling and 2 caffeinated waters), is one of our go-to’s. By necessity, bottled still water uses fruit extracts instead of actual fruit juice. But the flavors from the real fruits infused in the…
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