THE NIBBLE BLOG: Products, Recipes & Trends In Specialty Foods


Also visit our main website, TheNibble.com.

The History Of Caffe Latte For National Latte Day

February 11th is National Latte Day, a coffee drink made with one or two shots of espresso and steamed milk. The word “latte” comes from the Italian caffè e latte, meaning coffee and milk.

The latte is one of the top-selling espresso drinks in U.S. coffee shops, along with cappuccino and plain espresso.

We plunge into the world of latte, but first, for your consideration:

> The year’s 25 coffee holidays

> The different types of espresso drinks.

> The history of espresso.

> The different types of coffee, a photo glossary.

> The different types of espresso: a photo glossary.

> The history of coffee.

> The history of espresso.

> The difference between cappuccino and latte is below.

> The history of pumpkin spice latte.
 
 
THE BEGINNING OF COFFEE CULTURE

The original “coffee culture,” the Ottoman Empire, did not make latte—it wasn’t a dairy cattle culture.

The concept of mixing coffee with milk dates to 17th-century Europe, particularly in Italy, France, and Spain.

  • In Vienna, the Kapuziner (an early cappuccino) was popular in coffee houses in the 1700s.
  • In France, café au lait (coffee with hot milk) became a staple breakfast drink.
  •  
    But the modern version of the latte emerged in 19th-century Italy—as a breakfast beverage made at home.

  • The milk created a smoother, milder coffee drink than espresso.
  • It didn’t become a café drink until the mid-20th century, with the rise of espresso machines*.
  •  
     
    THE HISTORY OF LATTE

  • In the late 19th/early 20th century, Italians began to add milk to their morning coffee. While cappuccino had already gained popularity in cafés, caffè latte was not yet made outside the home. A stovetop Moka pot on the kitchen stove was used, with milk heated in a separate pot.
  • In the 20th century, the first commercial espresso machines appeared in the market (see the history of espresso machines in the footnote*). Beginning in the 1940s, the first steam wand appeared, enabling baristas to heat and froth milk.
  • By the 1950s, the modern caffè latte began to appear in Italian cafés, especially those catering to tourists who found cappuccino too strong.
  • In the 1980s the American-style latte, larger and milkier than the Italian version, became popular in Seattle, the origin of America’s coffee culture. Coffee culture expanded across the country.
  • Later in the 1980s, baristas in American coffee shops began making lattes with more milk and introducing latte art. See the history of latte art below.
  •  
    Today in Italy the Italian caffè latte remains a home drink or breakfast drink, while cappuccino and macchiato are more commonly ordered in cafés.

    The latte, on the other hand, has been adopted globally.

  • Flavored lattes—caramel, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and other flavors—have become widespread (photo #7).
  • Non-dairy alternatives made with almond, oat, and soy milk are now common.
  •  
     
    THE HISTORY OF LATTE ART

    Latte art—the intricate designs created by pouring steamed milk into espresso—originated as a result of advancements in espresso-making technology and milk frothing techniques (photo #6).

    While it has roots in Italy, the technique was perfected and popularized in the U.S. and Japan in the late 20th century.

    David Schomer, a barista from Seattle, is often credited with refining and popularizing latte art in the late 1980s. Schomer experimented with milk texture and pouring methods, developing the heart and rosette patterns.

    Latte art was enabled by the development of microfoam, a velvety foam created by the steam wand of a cappuccino machine. The wand foams the milk in a stainless-steel pitcher; the pitcher pours the foam onto the top of the coffee (photo #2).

    The combination of the natural crema atop the cup of espresso and velvety microfoam allows patterns to be made. (Note that other types of milk steamers/foamers do not create microfoam.)

    By 1989 the heart pattern was a signature at David Schomer’s Espresso Vivace and the rosette pattern followed, based on a photograph Schomer saw of latte art in an Italian café.

    He shared his techniques by 1994, helping spread latte art across the U.S. as coffeehouse culture expanded.

    In the early 2000s, Japanese baristas took latte art to new levels, introducing etching techniques (the use of tools to draw detailed patterns.

  • 3D latte art, where milk foam is sculpted into raised figures (photo #6), became a trend in Tokyo cafés.
  • Social media boosted the popularity of latte art worldwide.
  •  
     
    CAPPUCCINO & LATTE: THE DIFFERENCE

    Both drinks originated in Italian cafés, but are slightly different, based on the amount of milk.

  • Cappuccino is an espresso-based drink made with 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 foamed milk. In sum: 1/3 espresso, 2/3 milk.
  • Food trivia: Cappuccino is named after the color of the hooded robes worn by monks and nuns of the Capuchin order. Cappuccino, referring to the red-brown color of the robes, was a common descriptor in 17th-century Europe. The foamy drink, however, was created in the 20th century.
  • Latte has even more milk: A basic latte is 2 ounces espresso and 6 ounces steamed milk. For latte art, foamed milk is needed on top, which moves the proportions to 1/6 espresso, 4/6 steamed milk, 1/6 foamed milk.
  •  
    ________________
     
    *The history of the espresso machine: The first espresso machine was presented at the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1855, developed to solve the slow speed and loss of flavor that occurred with other methods of coffee preparation. Luigi Bezzera, an Italian engineer, filed a patent for the first espresso machine in 1901. His machine used steam pressure to force hot water through coffee grounds, significantly reducing brewing time. In 1905, Desiderio Pavoni purchased Bezzera’s patent and founded La Pavoni, which started producing espresso machines in Milan.

    In 1945, Achille Gaggia introduced the first lever-operated espresso machine, which used a spring piston to increase pressure to 8–10 bars. This created crema, the golden foam that became a defining feature of espresso. Gaggia’s machines were smaller and faster, making espresso more easy to serve in coffee shops. His machines also introduced the first integrated steam wand, allowing baristas to froth milk directly on the espresso machine for cappuccinos.

    In 1961 Ernesto Valente improving espresso quality by introducing the first electric pump machine, Faema E61, which maintained consistent water pressure at 9 bars. It made pulling a shot easier and more consistent.

    In the 1970s, home espresso machines became available. In the 1990s, super-automatic machines were introduced that could grind and tamp the beans and brew espresso at the press of a button.

    Today, high-end machines machines with PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) advanced temperature control, pressure profiling, and smart technology allow baristas and home users to fine-tune espresso extraction.

     

    Latte Art With Flower Design
    [1] Lattes offer baristas the opportunity to create art, by pouring more espresso on top of the foam (photos #1 and #2 © Chevanon | Pexels).

    Pouring A Latte Design
    [2] Velvety foam from a steam wand enables the creation of latte art.

    Cup Of Latte
    [3] Not every barista is an artist, but a plain latte is equally delicious (photo © Martin Dearriba| Pixabay).

    Latte With Barista Art
    [4] The leaf motif (photo © Proof Bakeshop [permanently closed]).

    Latte With Heart Art
    [5] Another favorite: the yeart (photo © Ogawa Coffee).

    Foam Latte
    [6] Pikachu rendered in 3D foam (photo by Ajay Suresh | CC By 2.0).

    Lavender-Flavored Latte
    [7] The broad variety of flavored simple syrups enable the creation of lattes from lavender to salted caramel (photo © Sonoma Syrup).

     

     
     

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

     
     
      

    Comments off

    Love Potion No. 31 Valentine Ice Cream From Baskin-Robbins

    Love Potion No. 31 Ice Cream
    [1] Love Potion No. 31 is delicious, even if you’re not after love (photos #1 and #2 © Baskin-Robbins).

    Valentine Ice Cream
    [2] Get the fancy red waffle cone with the heart-shaped sprinkles.

    Red Love Potion
    [3] You can mix up your own potion, with hibiscus tea, cranberry juice and pomegranate juice, plus mulling spices (photo © Anete Lusina | Pexels).

    Cranberry Mimosa Cocktail
    [4] A very easy love potion: the Cranberry Mimosa, cranberry juice and sparkling wine (photo © Ocean Spray).

    Mumm Champagne Bottle
    [5] Our personal favorite love potion: a bottle of good Champagne. The roses are optional (photo © G. H. Mumm).

     

    Those who are fond of golden oldies may remember the song Love Potion No. 9 by The Clovers (written by Leiber and Stoller, released in 1959). Here it is.

    Alas, it didn’t provide the ingredients. We have some listed below.

    But first, while not a real potion

    so it doesn’t describe real ingredients. However, in folklore and pop culture, “love potions” often contained herbs, aphrodisiacs, and mystical ingredients.

    Baskin-Robbins’ Love Potion No. 31, which debuted 30 years ago (1995) as a monthly special is making an appearance for the month of February.
     
     
    WHAT’S IN LOVE POTION NO. 31?

    White chocolate and tangy raspberry ice creams are swirled into wedded bliss, with chocolate chips and ribbons of raspberry purée.

    To take it over the top, Love Potion No. 31 is speckled with tiny raspberry-filled chocolate-flavored hearts.

    But wait, there’s more: a fresh-baked pink waffle cone that’s been dipped in chocolate and coated with heart sprinkles.

    Named for Baskin-Robbins’ 31 flavors, in this flavor of the month,

    > Head to your nearest Baskin-Robbins.

    If you fall under the spell of Love Potion No. 31, take home some pints for the freezer…or wait until next February.

    Here are two cocktails to serve with it:

  • Love Potion No. 299 with Champagne and pomegranate.
  • Love Potion No.1 with Absolut Raspberri and cranberry juice.
  •  
     
    WHAT’S IN A “REGULAR” POTION?

    A potion is a liquid mixture, often with [purported] magical or medicinal properties, that is typically consumed to achieve a specific effect.

    Potions appear in folklore, mythology, fantasy literature, and historical medicine. There are different types of potions, starting with:

  • Healing potions.
  • Love potions.
  • Poisonous potions.
  • Elixirs and tonics (the basis of homeopathy).
  •  
    While the song Love Potion No. 9 doesn’t list any ingredients, in folklore “love potions” typically contain herbs, [purported] aphrodisiacs, and mystical ingredients. Some historical love potions:

    In Ancient Greece & Rome, love potions (called philtra in Greek) were made with mandrake root, saffron, and honey.

  • Aphrodisiacs like wine infused with herbs were believed to enhance desire.
  • The Romans used Spanish fly (dangerous and toxic) in some love elixirs.
  •  
    In Medieval & Renaissance Europe:

  • Herbalists created love potions with belladonna, henbane, and vervain.
  • The Church often banned love potions, associating them with witchcraft.
  • Some believed that adding a few drops of one’s blood into a lover’s drink would bind their affection.
  • Note that many so-called “witches” of the past were actually herbalists, healers, and midwives who practiced traditional medicine. In many cultures, they had deep knowledge of plants, natural remedies, and folk magic, which made them both respected and feared.*.
  •  
    In The Middle East & North Africa, the famed book of folk tales, One Thousand and One Nights, mention magical brews for love and attraction.

  • Arabic and Persian traditions used saffron, myrrh, and rose water in love tonics.
  •  
    In China & East Asia, some legends mention love potions made from rare herbs to ensure devotion.

  • Traditional Chinese medicine included ginseng, cinnamon, and deer antler as aphrodisiacs.
  •  
    In Africa, various cultures use roots, barks, and animal parts in love charms and potions.

  • In some regions, shamans or traditional healers create love-binding drinks.
  •  
    In India, the Kama Sutra mentions herbal preparations to increase attraction.

  • Ayurveda prescribes ashwagandha, shatavari, and saffron for love and passion.
  •  
    In the Americas:

  • Aztecs and Mayas used chocolate, vanilla, and damiana (an herbal that grows on a shrub from Texas down to South America) as love-enhancing ingredients.
  • Some Native American tribes had rituals involving herbal teas to attract lovers.
  •  
    As for contemporary America, we’d be happy to start with a bottle of Krug Champagne.
     
     

     
    ________________
     
    *Why were herbalists accused of witchcraft?
    > Their remedies sometimes worked when church-sanctioned medicine didn’t.
    > They had knowledge of contraceptives and abortifacients, which threatened male-dominated society.
    > For religious, political, and sexist reasons, it was easy to persecute women.
     
     

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

     
     

      

    Comments off

    For Furmint February Try Furmint, A White Wine From Hungary

    February 1st was International Furmint Day. The month is designated Furmint February. But what is Furmint*, many might ask?

    It’s a white grape from Hungary, made into a noteworthy white wine.

    We knew Furmint as the main white wine grape used in the grape blend for Hungarian’s famous Tokaji (Tokay), but we’d never had any that was bottled as a single varietal.

    So we set out to find a few well-regarded to taste with wine friends at a weekend dinner.

    This turned out to be a challenge, since Furmint wines appear to be quite rare in the U.S. We ended up buying them online.

    So white wine lovers: Let’s all do our part. Try it, share it, and get sales up so more people can get to know this food-friendly, affordable wine.

    It’s not a wine that gets much attention in the U.S. Furmint (FUR-mint) is important enough that the world’s best wineglass maker, Riedel, has designed a glass for it (photos #9 and #10).

    Before we go further, a bottle of Furmint and a set of glasses would make a welcome gift for a wine connoisseur (by which we mean students of wine as well as experts).

    An overview of Furmint (FUR-mint) follows. Also below:

    > The history of Furmint.

    > The year’s 40+ white wine holidays.

    > The white wine varietals.

    Also on TheNibble.com:

    > All the red wine holidays.
     
     
    AN INTRODUCTION TO FURMINT

    From Hungary’s Tokaj region, Furmint is a white grape variety most famously known for its role in producing the prized Tokaji Aszú† (TOE-ky ah-ZU) sweet wines from the region. Nobles from all over Europe became fans, with King Louis XIV of France calling it the wine of kings.

    Its high acidity and sugar content make the grape perfect for sweet wine production. It’s also thin-skinned and susceptible to the noble rot†, the mold Botrytis cinerea (photo #7).

    Botrytis cinerea attacks the grapes and sucks out moisture, which concentrates the grape’s sugars and flavors into a honeylike sweetness and complexity.

    Botrytised wines are the apex of sweet wine production, sought after by many for their lush, rich, intense sweetness.

    Tokaji Aszú is one of the most famous dessert wines in the world. Like Sauternes, the botrytis brings out complex flavors of honey and apricot; and in the case of Tokaji Aszú, Furmint’s intense minerality as well.

    Thus, while traditionally associated with sweet wines, many Hungarian winemakers now produce excellent dry Furmint wines. Food-friendly and refreshing, with high acidity and high minerality, wine aficionados now have the chance to discover dry Furmint.

    While our focus here is dry Furmint, let’s start by defining the different types of Furmint wines.
     
     
    Four Styles Of Furmint Wines

  • Dry Furmint: These wines are crisp, with high acidity and minerality—like Chablis but with even more acidity. Their minerality is different from Chablis also, often described as having a smoky, flinty quality from the volcanic soils of the Tokaj region, while Chablis has a distinctive “chalk and seashell” minerality from limestone soil that’s rich in clay and marine fossils.
  • Food Pairings: Lighter fruit desserts, blue cheese, foie gras, or as an aperitif. Their fruit gives notes of citrus, green apple, and pear. There are more detailed pairings in the next section.
  • Sparkling Furmint: The sparklers are made in mostly dry (brut) style, although some may have a touch of residual sugar. Winemakers often use the méthode traditionnelle of Champagne. A bubbly version of dry Furmint, they are crisp and refreshing. Enjoy them as an apéritif, and with seafood, fried dishes, and soft cheeses.
  • Food Pairings: As with other sparkling wines: caviar, fresh goat cheese, double-cremes and triple-cremes; shellfish (lobster, oysters, scallops, shrimp); sushi and sashimi, smoked fish.
  • Late Harvest Furmint: This is a sweeter style of Furmint, but lighter than and not nearly as intense as Tokaji Aszú. The grapes are overripe since they are harvested later and there may be a slight amount of botrytis. Its vibrant acidity balances the sweetness.
  • Food Pairings: The pairings are the same as for sweet Furmint and Tokaji Aszú. See them in the footnote†.
  • Sweet Furmint: These are sweet wines made from Furmint, but not necessarily in the manner of Tokaji Aszú. The latter is a specific type of sweet wine made under strict regulations. In other words, while all Tokaji Aszú is made from sweet Furmint, not all sweet Furmint wines are Tokaji Aszú. While the latter are often 60-80% Furmint, winemakers blend in other grapes for added complexity. See the footnote††.
  • Food Pairings: The pairings are the same as for sweet Furmint and Tokaji Aszú. See them in the footnote†.
    These sweet wines are glorious and worth the splurge with the right foods.
  •  
     
    PAIRING DRY FURMINT & FOOD

    The key to pairing food with dry Furmint is to work with its high acidity and complex mineral character. That’s pretty easy with everyday favorites such as:

  • Asian foods: from sushi/sashimi and stir fries to the spicier fare of China, India, and Thailand.
  • Comfort foods: mac and cheese, turkey burgers/cheeseburgers, cheese fondue or other melt.
  • Fried foods: fried chicken, French fries, fish and chips.
  • Grilled and roasted foods: chicken, fish, seafood, veggies.
  • Other favorites: barbecue (with a tangy rather than sweet sauce), Buffalo wings.
  • Pasta: aglio e olio, cacio e pepe, linguine with clam sauce, pasta primavera, pesto—basically, anything not in a red sauce or a cream sauce (like Fettuccine Alfredo).
  • Pizza: arugula, clam/seafood, Margherita, mushroom/truffle, white pizza.
  • Pork: chops or roasts, particularly when prepared with apples or other fruit
  • Vegetarian dishes: avocado toast, salads (especially with cheese like Caesar, Caprese, Cobb, and goat cheese.
  •  
     
    THE HISTORY OF FURMINT WINE

    A wild grape native to Hungary, Furmint has been cultivated in the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region for centuries, with documented mentions dating back to the 16th century, during tumultuous period of the Ottoman occupation (1541 to 1699 C.E.).

    Ampelographers** believe that it is highly probable that the grape originated there.

    Furmint’s use in Tokaji dessert wines has its first known reference 1635, describing a full-bodied sweet dessert wine made from late-ripened grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot).

    Although it was still a dangerous frontier zone exposed to frequent raids, during the Ottoman occupation the Tokaj wine region remained unoccupied and became a sanctuary for wine production and cultural preservation.
     
     
    The Wine Of Kings

    Tokaji Aszú, the sweet wine made from Furmint, gained international acclaim quickly. In the 17th century, it was known as the “wine of kings, king of wines,” a phrase famously attributed to King Louis XIV of France, a lover of Tokaji wines.

    This reputation spread across European royal courts, making it a prestigious quaff among nobility.

    The unique wine-making process involved hand-picking individual botrytized grapes from the cluster, a labor-intensive method that made the wine extremely expensive and rare (not all grapes in a cluster would get botrytis).

    In 1737, the Tokaj wine region became the world’s first classified wine region, predating the Port wine region (Douro Valley, Portugal) in 1756. The famed classification of Bordeaux did not happen until 1855.

    The sweet wine was well established by the late 18th century when, in 1796, the Hungarian politician János Dercsényi described Furmint as the “genuine Tokaji Aszú” grape [source].

    During the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1867 to 1918), Tokaji wines became known as a national treasure and were often used as diplomatic gifts

    The phylloxera epidemic that began in 1863 and lasted for decades nearly destroyed Hungarian vineyards (as well as those in other parts of Europe, Australia, South Africa, and California, as the insect spread).

    The recovery was slow, and wine production in Europe was further disrupted by the two World Wars and communist era.

    While Tokai was produced then, quality was often sacrificed.

    After the fall of communism in 1989, Hungarian winemakers began reviving traditional Furmint production techniques. They started focusing on both the traditional sweet styles and exploring dry Furmint wines, which have gained significant international recognition in recent years.
     
     
    The Emergence Of Dry Furmint Wines

    While Hungary has been producing dry Furmint wines for centuries, it was in small quantities for local consumption. The main focus was where the money was: in the world-famous Tokaji Aszú.

    Dry furmint became widely recognized and commercially significant only recently, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

    In the 1990s, after the fall of communism, Hungarian winemakers began experimenting more with dry Furmint, influenced by international demand for food-friendly dry white wines.

    By the early 2000s, top producers like István Szepsy (Szepsy Winery), Disznókő, and Királyudvar began making high-quality dry Furmint wines, proving its potential beyond sweet wines.

    Since then, Tokaj and other regions have developed crisp, mineral-driven dry Furmints, gaining international recognition.

    Dry Furmint is now considered one of Hungary’s flagship white wines, enjoyed both domestically and internationally, with styles ranging from fresh and citrusy to rich and oak-aged.

    They have caught the eye of winemakers in other countries. Plantings appeared in the neighboring countries of Austria and Slovenia.

    There are small plantings in California, Australia, and South Africa as small winemakers experiment with what the grape might do in their regions—where the climate is very different from southern Hungary’s.
     
     
    The Name “Furmint”

    The origin or etymology of “furmint” is not entirely certain, but here are the leading theories—for which there is no evidence:

  • The “Froment” (Wheat) Theory: Some believe that furmint may derive from the French word “froment,” meaning wheat and referring to the grape’s yellowish, wheat-like color when ripe. However, there is no historical link between furmint and French viticulture.
  • Central European Roots: Some believe the name originated in a local or regional dialect††. But again, no definitive evidence, nor is there a connection to any Austrian or German words related to winemaking.
  •  
    The truth is out there…somewhere.

     

    Furmint White Wine
    [1] A dry Furmint from István Szepsy’s Szepsy Pince (cellar or winery). One of the greatest winemakers in the history of Hungary, Szepsy was instrumental in reviving Tokaj’s reputation post-communism. He was one of the first to refocus on making high-quality dry Furmint wines in addition to the traditional sweet wines. The Szepsy family has been making wine in Tokaj since the late 16th century (photo © 9 Elms Wines).

    Furmint White Wine
    [2] The first records of Disznókő vineyards, one of the most renowned wineries in Tokaj, date back to 1413. By the 18th century, the estate was recognized as a premier Tokaji vineyard. Its modern revival began in 1992, when it was acquired by the French company AXA Millésimes, a wine investment group that restored the winery, modernizing production (photo © Disznoko).

    Furmint Late Harvest Wine
    [3] See the difference in color between the dry Furmint above and this late harvest Furmint, the result of the concentration of sugar and aging (photos #3, #4, #6, and #7 © Disznoko Tokaj | Facebook.

    Glasses Of Sparkling Furmint
    [4] Sparkling Furmint.

    Bottle Of Tokai Wine
    [5] Tokaji Aszú, the king of wines or wine of kings (photo Best Of Hungary).

    Furmint Grapes
    [6] A cluster of furmint grapes, just snipped from the vine.

    Botrytised Grapes
    [7] Grapes attacked by Botrytis cinerea mold dry out like raisins. This concentrates the flavor.

    Vizsla Furmint Wine
    [8] This dry Furmint celebrates the beloved Hungarian Vizsla, one of whom was evidently an army officer. It’s inexpensive and the label makes it a best-seller Here’s more about the wine (photo © Vivino).

    Glass Of Furmint Wine
    [9] The world’s first Furmint glass was designed by the world’s leading wine glass maker, Riedel (photos #8 and #9 © Furmint Glass).

    Furmint Glasses
    [10] Gift a box of two Furmint glasses along with a bottle of furmint.

     

    A YEAR OF 40+ WHITE WINE HOLIDAYS 

    January 

  • January 10: Champagne And French Fries Day
  •  
     
    February 

  • February: Furmint February
  • February 1st: National Furmint Day
  • February 18th: National/Global Drink Wine Day
  • Last Saturday in February: Open That Bottle Night
  •  
     
    March 

  • March 3rd: National Mulled Wine Day
  • March 13th: National/International Riesling Day
  • March 21: World Vermouth Day
  •  
     
    April 

  • Last Friday in April: National Viognier Day
  •  
     
    May 

  • First Friday in May: International Sauvignon Blanc Day
  • May 9th: National/World Moscato Day
  • May 16th: International Ezerjó Day
  • Thursday Before Memorial Day: National/International Chardonnay Day
  • May 25th: National Wine Day
  •  
     
    June 

  • June, Second Week: National Prosecco Week
  • June, Second Thursday: World Verdejo Day
  • June, Second Saturday: International Drink Chenin Blanc Day
  • June 13th: National Rosé Day (alternately celebrated the Fourth Friday in June)
  • June 20th: Drink Chenin Blanc Day (the grape in Vouvray and Quarts de Chaume)
  • June, 3rd Saturday: English Wine Week Begins
  • June, 4th Friday: International Rosé Day
  •  

    July

  • July, First Week: Sparkling Wine Week
  • July 3: American Sparkling Wine Day
  • July 12: International Cava Day
  • July 25th: National Wine and Cheese Day
  •  
     
    August

  • August 1: Old Vine Day
  • August 1st: International Albariño Day
  • August, First Week: Albariño Week
  • August 4th: National White Wine Day
  •  
     
    September

  • September 1st: International Cap Classique Day
  • September 9th: International Box Wine Day
  •  
     
    October

  • October 6th: National Orange Wine Day
  • October 7th: Mexican Wine Day
  • October 22nd: Austrian Sekt Day
  • October, Fourth Friday: National Champagne Day‡
  •  
     
    December

  • December 5th: Prohibition Repeal Day
  • December 10th: International Tokaji Aszú Day
  • December 16th: International Pinot Meunier Day
  • December 20th: National Sangria Day
  • December 31st: Champagne Day (New Year’s Eve‡)
  •  
     
    Plus 3 Rosé Holidays

  • February 5th: National Rosé Day in Australia and New Zealand
  • June, 2nd Saturday: National Rosé Day***
  • June, 4th Friday: National Rosé Day***
  • July: Dry July
  •  

    WHITE WINE VARIETALS TYPICALLY AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.
  • Albariño
  • Aligoté
  • Alvarinho (Vinho Verde)
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Colombard
  • Fumé Blanc
  • Furmint
  • Gewürztraminer
  • Grüner Veltliner
  • Malvasia
  • Marsanne
  • Moscato
  • Müller-Thurgau
  • Muscadelle
  • Muscadet
  • Muscat
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sémillon
  • Seyval Blanc
  • Silvanio
  • Trebbiano
  • Verdicchio
  • Viognier
  • Vouvray
  • ________________
     
    *Furmint is capitalized because it is named after a grape variety, not a geographic location. This is in line with the style guidelines followed by the Associated Press and The New York Times. Wines that are not named after the type of grape are not capitalized, such as rosé and sherry.

    **Ampelography is the science of identifying, naming and classifying cultivated grape varieties through detailed analysis of the unique characteristics of the plant.

    ***There are three rosé holidays. JThe second Saturday in June holiday was founded in 2014 by Bodvár House of Rosés, a Swedish brand, as a U.S.-focused promotional holiday. The fourth Friday in June, International Rosé Day, was established in 2018 by the Provence wine region in France, which is essentially the global home of rosé.

    Tokaji Aszú is a sweet dessert wine made primarily from botrytized grapes. Botrytis, a fungus, leaches moisture from the grapes, drying them out, which concentrates the sugars and flavors (photo #7). Hence the nickname, noble rot. Aszú means “dried.” Note that while botrytis is often referred to as “gray mold,” mold is a type of fungus. While the mold first appeared spontaneously in warm, humid conditions, winemakers can now use techniques to encourage its growth.

    When pairing foods with Aszú,the rich, lusciously sweet, high-acid wine making is a versatile pairing wine that works well with sweet, salty, spicy, and umami-rich dishes.
    >Cheese Pairings: blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola), aged Cheddar or Comté, goat cheese.
    >Savory Pairings: foie gras, duck à l’orange, honey-glazed ham, roast pork with apples, spicy Asian cuisine (Indian, Szechuan, Thai).
    >Dessert Pairings: fruit tarts (apple, apricot, peach, pear), crème brûlée, nut or spice cakes (gingerbread, hazelnut, walnut).
    >Snacks: dark chocolate with sea salt, dried fruits and nuts (almond, apricots, figs, walnuts), (Figs, Apricots, Almonds, Walnuts) – A simple yet elegant match.

    ††The other Hungarian grapes that can be used in a Tokaji blend, hárslevelű and sárga muskotály for added complexity, zéta and kövérszőlő for aroma, and kabar for richness and depth.

    There are two Champagne Days. The first, celebrated on the fourth Friday of October, was created in 2009 by Chris Oggenfuss, a California wine educator. The second, on New Year’s Eve, grew organically.

    ‡‡Cap Classique is a term used in South Africa for méthode traditionelle sparkling wine production. This is the same technique used in Champagne, a labor-intensive process where wine undergoes a secondary fermentation inside the bottle, creating the bubbles.
     
     

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

     
     
      

    Comments off

    The Easiest Chocolate Fondue For Chocolate Fondue Day

    A Pot Of Chocolate Fondue
    [1] Cookies & Cream Dark Chocolate Fondue (photos #1, #2, #3, and #4 © The Melting Pot).

    A Pot Of Milk Chocolate Fondue
    [2] Turtle Milk Chocolate Fondue.

    A Pot Of White Chocolate Fondue
    [3] Fonduefetti White Chocolate Fondue.

    A Pouch Of Chocolate Fondue
    [4] The fondue comes in a pouch of with premium chocolate wafers† and toppings. Each pouch makes five 1/4-cup servings. For larger servings, plan accordingly.

    Fondue Pot Base
    [5] If you don’t have a rechaud or hot plate to keep the fondue warm, see other ways to do it, below (photo © Swissmar).

    Electric Fondue Pot
    [5] If you want to purchase a fondue pot, we recommend an electric one for convenience and safety (photo © Starfrit).

    Bamboo Skewers
    [6] Spear your food with bamboo skewers (photo Boesma | Amazon).

     

    February 5th is National Chocolate Fondue Day, celebrating a treat that’s easy to make. So why don’t we have it more often? With three new ready-to-heat-and-eat flavors from The Melting Pot, there’s no excuse not to treat yourself.

    February is also National Fondue Month, so there’s plenty of time.

    You don’t need a fondue pot or fondue forks. See how to use what you already have, below.

    The Melting Pot, a restaurant chain specializing in all kinds of fondue, has added an at-home chocolate fondue collection to their at-home cheese fondue options. There are more than 90 locations from coast to coast, and you can own one!

    But you don’t have to leave home to enjoy their fondue. And you don’t have to plan ahead: Just open the packet and melt the chocolate (or cheese) on the stove top or in the microwave.

    Perfect for celebrations, date night, friends-and-family gatherings, Valentine’s Day, or simply to indulge a chocolate craving, these packets are waiting for you to start the party.
     
     
    WHICH DO YOU PREFER?

    You can order a single flavor or one of each.

  • Cookies & Cream Dark Chocolate Fondue, a rich dark chocolate base swirled with marshmallows and topped with cookie crumble. The bolder flavor of dark chocolate is swirled with fluffy marshmallow cream, topped with crunchy cookie crumbles. It’s the warm, melty version of the classic cookies-and-cream experience.
  • Turtle Milk Chocolate Fondue, luxurious blend of milk chocolate with caramel and nuts. Inspired by the classic turtle chocolate-caramel-pecan candy, the fondue delivers a perfect balance of velvety
  • Fonduefetti White Chocolate Fondue, creamy white chocolate melted over a festive ice cream cone crunch, topped with rainbow sprinkles and peanut pieces. The white chocolate base is then topped with a festive mix of ice cream cone crunch, colorful rainbow sprinkles, and pieces of peanut for added texture and a touch of nuttiness.
  •  
    All you need to do is supply the dippers: squares of brownies and cake, fruits, marshmallows, waffles, whatever you’d like to swirl in melted chocolate.

    See our complete list of dippers here.

    Each pouch makes five 1/4-cup servings. For larger servings, plan accordingly.
     
     
    GET YOUR CHOCOLATE FONDUE

    > Head to TheMeltingPot to get yours.

    And not just yours: These delightful packets are welcome any-occasion or hostess gifts.

    And they’re an alternative to the standard box of chocolate for of Valentine’s Day.
     
     
    HOW TO SERVE FONDUE IF YOU DON’T HAVE A FONDUE POT

    It’s easy to melt the fondue on the stove top or in a microwave. Then, typically, the pot of of melted fondue is set atop a brazier with a can of gel fuel (e.g. Sterno) or a tea candle underneath to keep the fondue warm while it is consumed.

    No fondue pot? No problem! Here are a few ways to serve and keep your chocolate fondue (or cheese fondue) warm at the table:

  • Electric Hot Plate: We had forgotten that we owned one until we created this list.
  • Tea Pot Warmer: We also forgot that had a teapot warmer and a supply of tea candles.
  • Slow Cooker: If you have a small slow cooker, set it on “warm” to keep the chocolate melted. You can serve it directly from the slow cooker or transfer portions to a bowl.
  • Thermos: Pre-warm a thermos with boiling water. Refill dessert bowls as needed.
  • Double Boiler/Bain Marie: Bring the double boiler with the melted fondue to the table (on a trivet).
  •  
     
    NO FONDUE FORKS? TRY THESE

  • Skewers: You can use bamboo or metal, but bamboo skewers are inexpensive for a lot of them. Get a long size—about 17″, and soak them in water briefly to prevent splinters.
  • Regular Forks: For a tête-à-tête, any dinner fork will do.
  • Chopsticks: A great use for all the bamboo chopsticks that have piled up from take-out orders.
  •  
     
    A YEAR OF DESSERT HOLIDAYS

    There are 200 of them!

  • Dessert Holidays: January-June.
  • Dessert Holidays: July-December.
  •  
     
    AND MORE!
     
    > An easy from-scratch chocolate fondue recipe.

    > A white chocolate fondue recipe.

    > What to dip into chocolate fondue.

    > Who invented chocolate fondue.

     

     
     

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

     
     

      

    Comments off

    For Homemade Soup Day: Potato Soup With Your Favorite Cheese

    February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day. If you regularly make soup, you know how rewarding it is—especially when you can cut back on the sodium that overloads purchased soups.

    There are so many soups to make: Just check out our soup glossary.

    If you’re a fan of blue cheese, check out the recipe that follows.

    And if you don’t sing the blues, you can use your cheese of choice. How about Cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or any cheese with smoke or heat (e.g. chiles or horseradish)?

    We followed the original recipe, because the garnishes of blue cheese, bacon, and scallions—creating loaded potato soup (as opposed to a loaded baked potato)—called out to us.

    National Homemade Soup Day is just one of 15 soup holidays that has its own “national day.”

    > See the year’s 18 soup and stew holidays below.

    > The different types of potatoes: a photo glossary.

    > The different types of cheese: a photo glossary.

    > The different types of soup: a photo glossary.

    > The history of potatoes.

    > The history of cheese.

    > The history of soup.
     
     
    RECIPE: BLUE CHEESE & POTATO SOUP

    You can make the recipe smooth or chunky. Just use the four pounds of your potato of choice.

    Which potatoes are best for potato soup? It depends on the texture you want.

  • Creamy Soup: For a silky, smooth texture, choose starchy potatoes like russet and Yukon Gold.
  • Chunky Soup: Use waxy potatoes, such as red jacket potatoes or fingerling potatoes.
     
    We used Yukon Gold potatoes and left the skins on, since the skin of any potato contains a significant portion of its fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

    Yukon Golds have thin, smooth skin while a russet has thick, rough skin. Whatever you’re cooking, there’s no need to peel a Yukon Gold. (Bonus: Not peeling saves time.)

    This recipe makes 2-1/2 quarts. Prep time is 15 minutes and cook time is 30 minutes.

    The recipe, by Josh Rink of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was originally published in Taste Of Home.
     
    Ingredients For 8 Servings

  • 6 medium russet or other potatoes (about 4 pounds), peeled and cubed
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 6 scallions, thinly sliced
  • Blue cheese or cheese of choice, crumbled
  • Garnishes: crumbled bacon (we used Hormel Crumbled Bacon, photo #4), sliced scallions
     
    Preparation

    1. PLACE the potatoes in a large stockpot or Dutch oven; cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until very tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain well, reserving 1 cup liquid.

    2. RETURN the potatoes to the pot and mash to your desired consistency. Return the pan to heat and add the milk, heavy cream, butter, garlic and seasonings.

    3. HEAT on medium-low until heated through, 5-10 minutes, adding the reserved cooking liquid to thin the soup to your desired consistency.

    4. GARNISH with the cheese, scallions, and bacon.
     
     
    THE YEAR’S 18 SOUP HOLIDAYS

  • January: National Menudo Month
  • January: National Soup Month
  • January 12: National Curried Chicken Day/National Chicken Curry Day
  • January, 3rd Saturday: National Soup Swap Day*
  • February 4: National Homemade Soup Day
  • February 25: National Clam Chowder Day
  • February 28: Global Scouse Day (Liverpool)‡
  • March 3: National Soup It Forward Day†
  • March 30: Turkey Neck Soup Day
  • August 27: Crab Soup Day**
  • October, 1st Full Week: National Curry Week
  • October 19: National Seafood Bisque Day
  • November, 2nd Week: National Split Pea Soup Week
  • November 12: Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
  • November 18: National Vichyssoise Day
  • December 6: National Gazpacho Day
  • December 14: National Bouillabaisse Day
  • December 29: National Pepper Pot Day
  •  
    ________________
     
    *National Soup Swap Day is an occasion where friends and family meet up for a soup party. Typically, everyone brings frozen quarts of homemade soup (enough for each participant) and exchanges it for soup from the others others.

    Knox Gardner of Seattle started the practice of soup swapping with his friends back in the 1990s. Around 2006, the event gained popularity thanks to spread of the idea by bloggers.

    If you’d prefer to turn it into a dining event, where everyone brings a “soup course…well, why not? The host can supply the salad and the bread.

     

    A Bowl of Blue Cheese Soup
    [1] The featured recipe: potato soup with “fully loaded” garnishes (photo and recipe © Taste Of Home).

    Yukon Gold Potatoes
    [2] We chose Yukon Gold potatoes for the base (photo © Bonnie Plants).

    A bowl of crumbled blue cheese
    [3] Crumbled blue cheese. You can garnish the soup with any cheese you like (photo © Good Eggs).

    Shredded Cheddar Cheese
    [4] Shredded Cheddar is a popular soup garnish. If you don’t have time to prepare your own, you can buy it pre-shredded (photo © Darryl Brooks | Dreamstime).

    Chopped scallions on a cutting board
    [5] Chopped scallions. We like plenty of them on our soup (photo © Karolina Grabowska | Pexels).

    A Dish Of Crumbled Bacon
    [6] You can make bacon crumbles, but there days, it’s easier to buy them. They’re shelf-stable, no refrigeration required until you open the package (photos #3 and #4 © Hormel).

     

    **Crab Soup Day originated in Nicaragua and is also recognized in the U.S. as National Crab Soup Day. In Nicaragua, the day is part of a festival to mark the end of slavery with food, music, and parades. In the U.S., it’s a food-focused holiday for enjoying various types of crab soup, from creamy bisques or hearty chowders.

    National Soup It Forward Day is a day to spread kindness and generosity by sharing a bowl of soup with someone in need—whatever that need may be. Bring a bowl to a family member, friend, or neighbor.

    The event was created in 2018 by a Canadian non-profit organization, Soup Sisters. Founded in 2009 by Sharon Hapton, a Calgary-based businesswoman to feed the needy.

    Global Scouse Day is held on February 28 in Liverpool, England. It celebrates the maritime city’s favorite local dish, scouse, a hearty meat and vegetable stew (photo #7, below). Liverpudlians actually call themselves Scousers! It’s a simple, working-class dish traditionally made with beef or lamb (though “blind scouse” is a meatless version made during leaner times), potatoes, carrots, onions, and sometimes other root vegetables, all slow-cooked together in a thick broth. It’s similar to Irish stew or Lancashire hotpot.

    The dish originated in the 18th or early 19th century, a sailor’s stew brought to Liverpool by sailors from Scandinavia or Northern Europe. The name derives from “lobscouse,” the English adaptation of Scandinavian and Northern European words that describe a similar stew (lapskaus/Norway, lapskojs/Sweden, Labskaus/Germany, skipperlabskovs/Denmark) that was common shipboard fare because it could be made with preserved meat and hardy vegetables that kept well during long voyages.

    Liverpool, a major port city, adopted and adapted the dish, and it became a staple of working-class households because it was filling, economical, and could stretch ingredients to feed large families. Scouse is typically served with pickled red cabbage or beets on the side and crusty bread for dipping. It’s a beloved symbol of Liverpool’s culinary heritage and working-class identity.

    In fact, the term scouser as a reference to someone from Liverpool came into common use in the 1940s. It was originally a derogatory term that implied that the person was so poor that they could afford to eat decent food only once a week and otherwise ate leftovers with boiled potatoes. But Liverpudlians turned the insult into a proud identity.

    Trivia note: Those Scousers, the Beatles, from a working-class Liverpool upbringing, likely enjoyed scouse at home.

    Scouse, A Stew From Liverpool
    [7] Here’s a photo of scouse from Ma Egerton’s Stage Door. Visit it when you get to Liverpool.
     
     

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

     
     
      

    Comments off

    The Nibble Webzine Of Food Adventures
    RSS
    Follow by Email


    © Copyright 2005-2025 Lifestyle Direct, Inc. All rights reserved. All images are copyrighted to their respective owners.