[1] Enjoy a cup of matcha effortlessly, with Cuzen Matcha (photos #1 to #5 © Cuzen Matcha).

[2] You can turn the whisked matcha into a hot or iced latte.

[3] The ground matcha leaves drop into a cup of hot water, where they are whisked into a froth with a magnetic whisk.

[4] Dried whole matcha leaves—a rare sight (are they ever seen outside of Japan?).

[5] The whole leaves are broken into a size that fits into the machine.

[6] The traditional preparation is to whisk the ground matcha powder in water until it froths. You can build up arm muscles if you do it often enough (photo © Match & Co | Unsplash).

Every so often we come across a niche product that’s really interesting.

But, we think, how many of these can they sell?

In the case of the Cuzen Matcha Maker, it depends on how many matcha tea lovers have $369 and space on the kitchen counter.

The matcha-drinking world is all abuzz over this dedicated matcha maker, which was a hit at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this year and showered with awards‡.

It takes all effort from whisking up a cup of matcha tea, the bright-green Japanese signature tea noted for its super-nutrient-packed green tea.

Here’s more about matcha tea.
 
 
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF MATCHA GREEN TEA

While all tea* comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, matcha is grown differently† from other teas has a unique nutrient profile.

Matcha is rich in catechins, antioxidant compounds that are found in tea. (The caffeine is similar to coffee.)

Antioxidants help stabilize harmful free radicals—compounds that can damage cells and cause chronic disease.

In addition to antioxidants, some studies have found that the antioxidants in matcha boost brain function, may help protect the liver, may help prevent cancer, may promote heart health, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and actually helps with weight loss. Here are the details.

Matcha, which is a ground powder, has more catechins and antioxidants than steeping a cup of green tea from leaves.

By one estimate, the number of certain catechins in matcha is up to 137 times greater than in other types of green tea [source].

That’s why some people focused on health and nutrition drink lots of matcha. And any green tea lover will appreciate its unique flavor and frothiness.

Here’s a chart that compares the nutritional profile of matcha versus brewed green tea leaves.
 
 
WHY DO YOU NEED A SPECIAL MACHINE?

For thousands of years, matcha has powder, ground from a particular type of tea leaf from Japan. Crafting it involves precise measurements, sifting and rapid flicks of a bamboo whisk to create the right froth.

Matcha is sweeter and creamier than regular green tea—and sometimes a bit grassy. More people would make matcha at home if it didn’t involve whisking the fine green powder into a froth.

Cuzen Matcha does it all, with a clever magnetic whisk that does all the labor (hand-whisking can be tiring for some of us).

Just add pre-measured packets of organic tea leaves into the machine, where they’ll be ground and whisked into your cup of hot water in 90 seconds. (A bonus is the aroma from the freshly ground leaves.)

The only cleanup is a quick rinse the cup and the whisk.

With a Cruzen Matcha machine, you can:

 
Here’s a video.

The downside is that this is a new product. If the company doesn’t get enough customers, it is likely to disband. The machine will still work, but you can’t get the un-ground matcha leaves.

After a quick web search, we found one option, Japanese Gen-Mai Cha from Upton Tea. Gen-mai cha is mixed with toasted brown rice. It’s delicious, but a different experience.
 
HEAD TO CUZENMATCHA.COM to learn more and purchase a machine.
 
 
MORE MATCHA

 
 
> THE HISTORY OF TEA
 
 
> THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEA
 
 
________________

*This refers to conventional black, green and white teas. Herbal teas, which are brewed from many different plants, are not included in this analogy, although each has its own nutrient profile and health benefit(s).

†The tea plants are covered to avoid direct sunlight, for 20–30 days before harvest. This increases chlorophyll production and boosts the amino acid content. The leaves are harvested, the stems and veins are removed and the leaves are then ground into the fine powder known as matcha.

‡In 2020 the Cuzen Machine was named to TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Best Inventions of 2020, won the Future of Foods Award at San Francisco Design Week Awards 2020, was a CES 2020 Innovation Awards Honoree, and was longlisted for the 2020 Dezeen Awards.

Chef Eric LeVine is a chef whom we love to follow.

He is a fountain of creative ideas, always looking to bring something new and delectable to his restaurant menus.

His aim is not just to feed his patrons well, but to delight them.

Also a cookbook author and multi-award-winning chef—including a champion of the Food Network show, “Chopped”—he keeps surprising us.

As the chef/owner of different types of restaurants, some of his creations have been very high end.

This dish, from his gastropub 317 Main Street in Farmingdale, New York, is universally approachable.

Here, Chef Eric joins two favorite dishes, Steak & Eggs and Mac & Cheese. It’s great fusion food.

Just about anyone can make it at home, for for brunch, lunch or dinner.
 
 
IT’S EASY TO PUT TOGETHER

A marriage made in heaven: Steak & Eggs weds Mac & Cheese (photo © 317 Main Street Restaurant | Farmingdale, New York).

2. PREPARE the mac and cheese. Keep it warm.

> Place the cooked pasta in an oven-safe pan or bowl, cover with foil and put in an oven preheated to the lowest temperature (220°F, 104°C).

> Or, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker (Crockpot, e.g.). Here’s how.
 
3. FRY the eggs.

4. ASSEMBLE: Place the macaroni and cheese on the bottom of a large bowl or plate, and the sliced steak and fried egg on top.

5. ADD a Bloody Mary or Virgin Mary, and dig in.

Thanks, Chef Eric!

[1] One of Cask & Kettle’s five flavors, Irish Coffee, delivers a great hot cocktail in seconds (all photos © Cask & Kettle).

[2] All you need is a Keurig-style brewer and Cask & Kettle pods.

[3] How about a Mint Patty cocktail?

[4] Make a Cask & Kettle Ice Cream Sundae. Add a scoop of ice cream with an optional topping of chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or whipped cream.

[5] Each festive-looking box contains 5 pods.

In two decades of roaming through trade shows, reading the trade and consumer press, and popping into every specialty food store we pass, we’ve never come across anything like Cask & Kettle.

When we first heard about Cask & Kettle hot cocktails, we were intrigued.

When we tasted them, we were delighted, enchanted, charmed…and one step away from being elated to realize that we could have these delectable hot cocktails at home, whenever we liked.

Hot cocktails have existed for centuries, from buttered rum, toddies and mulled wine (here’s the difference), to hot milk punch and the Tom and Jerry. to the more modern Irish Coffee (invented in 1943), to every modern mixologist’s recipes since then.
 
 
INTRODUCING CASK & KETTLE

Cask & Kettle is the inspired creation of entrepreneurs.

The magic happens with the simplicity of a Keurig home coffee brewing machine (photo #2).

It delivers brewed craft cocktails made with fine spirits, that deliver bold flavors and delicious aromas.

All of this comes from a Keurig-type K-pod, which includes the alcohol and other ingredients.

Just pop the capsule into your Keurig and press the button. In a minute, your cocktail is ready.

Whether you want to sip alone or serve guests, every cup is a party.

Delicious as the cocktails are straight, you can enhance them for spectacular results (see below).
 
 
THE HOT COCKTAIL FLAVORS

Each one is better than the next. The current lineup includes:

 
Each cocktail contains approximately one ounce of high-quality distilled spirits, plus decaffeinated coffee. Each multi-serving package contains five capsules (photo #5), each delivering a rich cocktail.

They are caffeine-free and gluten-free.

And the cocktails are a forgiving 130 calories per cup!
 
 
HOW TO SERVE CASK & KETTLE COCKTAILS

Is Cask & Kettle a coffee cocktail? A cup of spiked coffee? An after-dinner drink? A dessert?

It’s all of the above? Enjoy it:

 
 
GET YOURS!

A box of Cask & Kettle is a great gift, but start with gifting yourself!

They are certainly a “cup of cheer” in these gray, isolated times.

(They’d be just as great on a sunny day in June.)

We look forward to the end of the work day, when we can brew a cup and turn on the news.

Cask & Kettle is about $15 for a package of five capsules.

Check the store locator at CaskAndKettleUSA.com.

Cask & Kettle is available in Walmart, Sam’s Club, boutique stores and most Safeway stores.

Or, check online for “Buy Cask & Kettle Cocktails.” We found several e-tailers, including Drizly.com.

For more information, visit the brand’s website.

For gifting, Cask & Kettle will stand out as something different. The Cask & Kettle package fits into standard wine or bottle wrapping.

We send this innovative, delightful new brand our best wishes for success!
 
 
> THE HISTORY OF COCKTAILS

 
________________

*These proofs are for a 6-ounce cocktail. You can lower the proof significantly by selecting an 8- or 12-ounce cocktail on the Keurig. This adds more water, diluting the proof—but the results are still delicious.

If you like to entertain with fun elements, how about a cone holder (photo #3)?

Available in sizes from small to large, you can use them to serve:

 
We decided to try out the antipasto idea for cocktail nibbles.

While everyone can relate to ice cream cones, sushi hand rolls and a paper cone filled with popcorn, we didn’t know what to expect about antipasto.

But we bought a cone holder and paper cones and packed them with antipasto goodies.

The answer we found: It’s easy, and you can serve the cups with cocktail picks for people who don’t like to eat with their fingers.
 
 
WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR ANTIPASTO CONES

Pick foods that are possible to eat with the fingers.

You’ve got plenty of options: meats, cheeses, olives, cornichons and other pickled vegetables, crudites and much more.

And remember the optional cocktail picks. We like eating with our fingers (and lots of napkins), but not everybody does.

 
 
READY TO BUY A CONE HOLDER?

They’re not expensive (many are less than $15), and are:

 
If you don’t want to buy a cone holder, check out these flat-bottom cups that stand up on their own.

Have fun with it!

[1] Enjoy your antipasto from a paper cone. Here’s the recipe from Ain’t Too Proud To Meg (photo © Ain’t Too Proud To Meg).

[2] Feel free to add some fruit, like grapes and kumquats (photo © Spread & Co.).

[3] One of many design and size options. Once you have a cone holder, you’ll find ways both conventional and innovative (photo © Ice Cone Holder | Amazon).

[1] A special box of artisan chocolates, filled with winter flavors (photos © Burdick Chocolate).

[2] Close-up on the box of 58 bonbons and 8 winter flavors.

[3] A glass of mulled wine goes with any of these chocolates. Here’s a recipe (photo © Edward Howell | Unsplash).

Great chocolate flavors are made even more special because they celebrate seasonal flavors.

Thus, master chocolatier Larry Burdick has created a collection of eight bonbons celebrating the famous flavors of winter.

It’s a big box of chocolate. The total of 58 bonbons are enough to satisfy a family—or a chocoholic—who appreciate the best.

An exquisite celebration of the season, the bonbons include:

 
 
> GET THEM AT BURDICKCHOCOLATE.COM.
 
 
PAIRING WINE & CHOCOLATE

 
 
> CHOCOLATE GLOSSARY: TERMINOLOGY & TYPES
 
 
> THE HISTORY OF CHOCOLATE