[1] Lovely packaging for your valentine (both photos © Smith Teamaker).

[2] A bouquet in a sachet.

Steven Smith Teamaker is one of our favorite brands of fine tea—superb tea in silky sachets (tea bags) instead of loose leaves. Steven Smith (1949-2015) was a co-founder of Stash Tea Company, then founded Tazo tea company. This venture was co-founded with his wife, Kim DeMent Smith. You can visit the brand’s tasting rooms in Portland, Oregon, and of course, you can treat yourself to the leafy riches on the SSmithTea.com website.

May we suggest some of the Valentine teas?

 
As an added treat, there are tea gifts that include chocolate bars from another Portland artisan company, Ritual Chocolate. The chocolatier has created a limited-edition Lover’s Leap chocolate bar: a marriage of 70% dark Madagascar and Peru chocolate blended with Lover’s Leap black tea blend.

In lovely pink and black packaging, we would be very happy to receive any of the Smith Teamaker gifts from our valentine.

Head to SmithTeamaker.com to explore.
 
> THE HISTORY OF TEA
 
> THE HISTORY OF TEA BAGS
 
> THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEA

For National Hot Chocolate Day, January 31st, a recipe for rum hot chocolate from Kōloa Rum Co., a premium rum brand from Hawaii. The recipe uses Kōloa Kauai Cacao Rum, which is chocolate-flavored (and chocolate-colored) rum. The chocolate gives the hot chocolate much more chocolate intensity than plain rum, and it’s worth buying a bottle—you can use it in so many cocktails. It’s also a nice gift for a chocolate lover.

If you can’t get hold of a bottle, you can substitute chocolate-flavored vodka.

For the marshmallows, look for better ones than the two big supermarket brands. Trader Joe’s has affordable “better” marshmallows.

If you don’t want marshmallows, substitute whipped cream.

> The history of rum.

> The different types of rum.

> More hot chocolate recipes.

> The difference between hot chocolate and cocoa.
 
 
RECIPE: RUM HOT CHOCOLATE
 
Ingredients FOr 1 Drink

[1] Chocolate rum makes this cup hot chocolate very special (both photos © Kōloa Rum).

[2] A bottle of chocolate rum will serve you well in other cocktails.

1. HEAT the milk to a low simmer, then stir in the dark chocolate and cinnamon until chocolate is melted and well blended.

2. ADD in the cocoa powder and brown sugar and stir. Remove from the heat and stir in the rum. Top with the marshmallows.

[1] Eating pretty: roast acorn squash stuffed with Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, sliced almonds and more. Here’s the recipe (photo © Chef Eric LeVine).

[2] How about a Brussels sprouts pizza or flatbread? Here’s the recipe (photo © DeLallo).

[3] We toss shaved brussels sprouts on our pizza, and also in salads and slaws. Check out this recipe for chicken, shaved Brussels sprouts and arugula salad (photo © Domesticate Me).

[4] If you purchase a stalk of Brussels sprouts, it may come with its top leaves intact. Don’t toss them; use them as serving dishes (photo © Matt Seymour | Unsplash).

[5] Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon jam. Here’s the recipe (photo © Pampered Chef).

First, a note from our editor: It’s Brussels sprouts, after the Belgian capital, not Brussel sprouts. Second, January 31st is National Brussels Sprouts Day. If Brussels sprouts look like tiny cabbages, it’s because both are members of the cruciferous family of vegetables. Other members include:

 
To celebrate National Brussels Sprouts Day, we’re making a Brussels sprouts pizza (photo #2), scattering shaved Brussels sprouts (photo #3), and diced bacon atop a white pie (it’s great with a red pie, too).

Check out the Brussels sprouts recipes below.

Few foods are more disagreeable than overcooked Brussels sprouts (the same is true with other cruciferous members like cabbage). Excessive heat releases an unpleasant-smelling and -tasting chemical compound. But cook them lightly, and they are bites of pleasure.

A tip: Bigger is not better with Brussels sprouts. The smaller they are, the more sweet and tender they are.

Similarly: Don’t store raw Brussels sprouts for more than a few days. The flavor gets stronger as they age.
 
 
BRUSSELS SPROUTS NUTRITION

Brussels sprouts are exceptionally rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including glucosinolate, a phytochemical and important cancer-fighting phytonutrient.

All cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, but Brussels sprouts are especially loaded.

They are also cholesterol-fighters. Steamed Brussels sprouts actually have a have better cholesterol-lowering effect than raw Brussels sprouts. The plant fibers do a better job of binding when they’ve been steamed.

The vitamin run-down:

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Is there a better reason to eat them often?

> Brussels sprouts history.
 
 
MORE BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPES

You can enjoy Brussels sprouts raw. Slice small Brussels sprouts and serve them as crudites or in salads. Separate the leaves and scatter them over green salads, grains, or on a dinner plate as a green garnish instead of parsley.

Consider a cruciferous salad of broccoli florets, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower florets in a Dijon dressing. Wrap them in bacon instead of dates or chicken livers.

Or, try one of these yummy recipes: