Coffee and Tea Pleasures

Ever open a coffee bag so your reading break smells like a coffee shop? Does a spot of tea lift your spirits? Top-notch equipment and product enhances your daily rituals. We hosted a tea-party to try new things with a friend who was wowed.

VelociTea Tea Maker is the kettle that has taught me what tea should be like. I knew but never thought it could truly make a difference how long you steep your green, black or herbal teas. This one does it for you and somehow gets the hot water up into your infusion basket. This automatic tea maker has amazing, fragrant teas to play with. There’s so much fruit in loose teas like Wild Strawberry and Raspberry Patch. Don’t ask questions. Just watch the show going on in your clear kettle and enjoy the proper tea. We did. I love this and use it daily. There’s plenty more online, like the clear “catch and release” IngenuiTEA maker that steeps until you set it over your cup to flow out. Another show.

Lardera Coffee Roasters has some scents and flavors to stimulate your senses with descriptions such as “fruit bomb with lush notes of cherry…” for Catuai Anaerobic and “layered notes o juicy citrus accented by sweet sugar cane and milk chocolate” from Kenya Washed. Some people don’t know they can have – and deserve – all this happiness. Find downright sexy coffee tools including black smart electric kettle, called the fastest, most accurate electric coffee kettle on the market, capable of boiling 16 ounces of water in less than 100 seconds. The thin gooseneck spout makes elegant, like a swan. Your heated water pours out slowly, making the entire process a mindful one. Ask this smart thing to keep water hot for 30 minutes. The Chestnut C2 Max Grinder just feels good in the hand. Grind out one pot’s worth at a time and savor the whole process. In your hand is 38mm CNC Stainless Steel conical burrs with 36 settings from iced to espresso. Thoroughly impressive. Look for a Smart Electric Kettle.  

Irish Whiskey Spirit-Infused Coffee from at www.firedeptcoffee.com is a follow up to the Vanilla Bean Bourbon I shared with readers. Get ready for St. Pat’s day because this small-batch good stuff is packed with aroma, toffee, butterscotch and vanilla. Can you believe you can get stuff this good in your own house? Thanks, caffeine-loving Fire Dept. folk.

Stash – If you want to fight over the question of tea vs. coffee, then I’d suggest doing it with Stash and their wall of flavors. They have more quality varieties than our grandmothers had in the whole grocery store. I like the fruity ones, the spicy ones and even enjoyed some very strong licorice Stash. These are some new-to-me treats that serve as a dessert in some cases: Golden Turmeric Chai is very trendy. There’s Decaf Chocolate Hazelnut, Moroccan Mint and Chocolate Mint. Coconut Mango is for car travel. Soon enough, I’ll switch from hot to iced. Blueberry Superfruit is the one for people who don’t even think they like tea and Citron Meyer… well if you don’t love it, and you’re a Southerner, then I can’t help you. www.stashtea.com

Amor Perfecto – Colombia’s finest has been a dream and now Amor Perfecto claims “The World’s Freshest Coffee” on a beautiful brown box that opens like some sort of index file of gold-foil wrapped envelopes of beans. It could hold an engagement ring. Notes inside an array of blends include citrus, caramel, strawberry and cinnamon. Here’s the new thing: They roast and pack at nearly 9,000 feet in elevation. Coffee is exposed to roughly 25 percent less oxygen, so you get more flavor and lasting freshness. www.amorperfecto.com

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie probably enjoying a cup right now. Reach her at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

 

An Agua Fresca candle? It's Anona.

 It's Advent, so we’re supposed to take it slow and reflect. Soon, we’ll focus on the joy of giving. Consider these options to ease into a calming holiday season:

 

                     Stash your holiday - Love the idea of a joyful touch of aromatic Jasmine in your Christmas Morning tea? Then best to go caffeine-free the night before with a merry blend of spearmint and sweet holiday spices. Stash Tea designed Christmas Eve for a cozy fire and warming cinnamon and orange peel. Holiday Chai with gingerbread and sweet rum flavor could be my fave of this holiday collection. White Christmas brings peppermint and gingerroot; Licorice has to be tried to be believed. I’m hoping the exciting and satisfying flavor will help curb extra holiday grazing. www.stashtea.com is from tea people in Portland, Oregon. Santa would approve.

Southern Culture Artisan Foods - I might have fallen in love with Erica and Mama watching their Southern Culture TV episode about a blindfolded chicken tasting. Fun family. But I was already drawn to beautiful Garlic & Herb Stone Ground Grits packaged in pretty hinged clear jars. Display those grits! I used their Bourbon Pecan Praline Bacon Rub on my Thanksgiving and that 12-pound bird moved in a day.

               Bourbon Salted Pecan and Banana Pudding are Shortstacks flavors from Southern Culture. If even I could make a tempting batch of pancakes (or waffles) from these blends, you can for sure.  They do their work from Decatur, Georgia, and Mama is moaning because it’s so good. www.southernculturefoods.com

 

GYV – It sounds like “give,” hence the www.justgive.com site for GYV Mesoamerican Beauty. Anona is a new fruit to me and the scent is in a clever “floating” candle that looks like a jug of agua fresca. Another high-end candle comes in mango, as does a cream you can slather on without having to pop a top. Much care is put into this line featuring other fruits, history and luxury.

 

Grooming Hut – Maybe your silver fox is already into oils, shampoos and potions to maintain fine facial hair. Maybe your son-in-law’s beard is a bit… amiss. The kit that features a natural wood brush and come for training and exfoliating beards will be welcome to both men and women across the country. It’s fine and I’m sure Santa would enjoy it himself. That brush is extremely calming. www.groominghut.com

 

                 Restore Naturals holiday prep - There are no pets are babies in my home, but I want to be as natural as possible when it comes to cleaning. I’ve left restaurants when the cleanser smell is stronger than any food coming from the kitchen. Restore Naturals guarantees the performance of their very long line of products. I’m enjoying the all-surface cleaner and reading up on their goods from laundry concentrate to concentrates. Soy, orange and corn are some ingredients that somehow transform your home. It’s a confidence thing. And a cleaning thing. I’m glad I found www.restorenaturals.com

 

 

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie ready to spread and receive joy at darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Sips of the Season

Stash Tea Stash is a “little bag of crazy” according to this Portland, Oregon biz started in 1972. It’s crazy good on its own and www.stashtea.com has some ideas for those who like experimenting with Doublespice Chai, Mango Passionfruit, Asian Pear Harmony, Ginger Fire Chai, Sunny Orange Ginger, Wild Raspberry Hibiscus and Pomegranate Raspberry. I love how red teas look in a glass. I’ve tried them the mindful experience begins with the soft aroma that greets you when you tear open the outer pouch. Maybe you don’t need a recipe beyond hot water and bag of Stash. But I love to play. Be inspired with something like this: Citrus Hibiscus Sangria should include seasonal produce, such as blood oranges, apples and lemons, Candice young of From the Roots blog suggests. She uses a quart sized bag of Stash Wild Raspberry Iced Tea or 4 Wild Raspberry Hibiscus tea bags, 4 cups water, a half cup organic cane sugar, mint leaves, a liter of sparkling mineral water, a quart of 100 percent pure juice (try pomegranate, strawberry lemonade or cranberry) and your fruits and garnish such as grapes, berries, etc. Cucumbers & Roses “Botanicals” has a lovely ring to it. Back in the ‘70s this meant Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo. Then I got into herb gardening and loved the aromas, textures and flavors of culinary and healing plants. I never would have dreamed I’d be enjoying cucumbers and roses in adult beverages. Finlandia Botanical has made it happen. The Finnish are crafting infusions for “mindful sipping in casual get-togethers. Cucumber & Mint and Wildberry & Rose are 73 calories a serve with no artificial flavors or added sugars. Sparkling water, tonic or lemonade will add to your mindful sipping, as will The Garnish Lounge touches of dried rose petals, lime, etc. This is light and lovely and is sure to connect you to nature. www.finlandia.com Ranch Water Ginn Fizz is a new thing for RANCH20 Spirits that is among my favorites of this fizzy water trend. If you’ve seen the term, you can call Ranch Water a mxi of tequila, lime and soda water a “skinny Margarita” or the unofficial cocktail of West Texas. This brand has its version as well as Classic Marg, a Vodka Soda and the gin thing that’ll make you bubble with excitement. It’s a Texan thing and we’re proud like that. They’re boasting of “real” ingredients, great taste and no compromise. On the can, the H20 is written like the water symbol, and there’s a cattle brand like a flowing R. Now, get over to www.ranch20spirits.com and see if you can picture yourself like the cowboy-booted lady relaxing her legs out of her window. Since I’m quite sure she is of age and not driving, I’m imagining her cooling off after the head ranch hand has driven her around to survey her spread. Winewisk Wine is like music, they say, and we all like something different. Winewisk Aerator lets you taste before and after in your own glass experience levels of flavor and aroma. Swirl without judgement. The bonus is the slip of plastic is color coded, so you can keep up with your own serving. Clip it on the inside of your glass and you can swirl when you want to. These are the perks beyond smoother taste as you release your wine’s full flavor and aroma. Winewisk.com has more on this cool tool. I like that it slows you down and encourages you to use your senses. It does make a positive difference. www.winewisk.com Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie keeping hydrated. Let her know what you are enjoying this season via darraghcastillo@icloud.com

Sips of the Season

Sips of the season I burned a few magnolia leaves for a fall scent in hopes of cooling down the weather. Worked for me. This column is devoted to sips of the season. Take a moment to enjoy that fall feeling. It doesn’t last too long around here.

Pumpkin Update Fall is a good time to check the dates on your spices as you root around for cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. I consolidated some spices to work up a chai tea blend and/or something to sprinkle on French toast for a pumpkin flavor. I didn’t want to waste a thing, so I added a little water to a nearly-empty ginger bottle and shook it up. I poured it into a pitcher of tea and got an extra zing. Stash Tea Stash is a “little bag of crazy” according to this Portland, Oregon biz started in 1972. It’s crazy good on its own and www.stashtea.com has some ideas for those who like experimenting with Doublespice Chai, Mango Passionfruit, Asian Pear Harmony, Ginger Fire Chai, Sunny Orange Ginger, Wild Raspberry Hibiscus and Pomegranate Raspberry. I love how red teas look in a glass. I’ve tried them the mindful experience begins with the soft aroma that greets you when you tear open the outer pouch. Maybe you don’t need a recipe beyond hot water and bag of Stash. But I love to play. Be inspired with something like this: Citrus Hibiscus Sangria should include seasonal produce, such as blood oranges, apples and lemons, Candice young of From the Roots blog suggests. She uses a quart sized bag of Stash Wild Raspberry Iced Tea or 4 Wild Raspberry Hibiscus tea bags, 4 cups water, a half cup organic cane sugar, mint leaves, a liter of sparkling mineral water, a quart of 100 percent pure juice (try pomegranate, strawberry lemonade or cranberry) and your fruits and garnish such as grapes, berries, etc. Cucumbers & Roses “Botanicals” has a lovely ring to it. Back in the ‘70s this meant Clairol Herbal Essence Shampoo. Then I got into herb gardening and loved the aromas, textures and flavors of culinary and healing plants. I never would have dreamed I’d be enjoying cucumbers and roses in adult beverages. Finlandia Botanical has made it happen. The Finnish are crafting infusions for “mindful sipping in casual get-togethers. Cucumber & Mint and Wildberry & Rose are 73 calories a serve with no artificial flavors or added sugars. Sparkling water, tonic or lemonade will add to your mindful sipping, as will The Garnish Lounge touches of dried rose petals, lime, etc. This is light and lovely and is sure to connect you to nature. www.finlandia.com Ranch Water Ginn Fizz is a new thing for RANCH20 Spirits that is among my favorites of this fizzy water trend. If you’ve seen the term, you can call Ranch Water a mxi of tequila, lime and soda water a “skinny Margarita” or the unofficial cocktail of West Texas. This brand has its version as well as Classic Marg, a Vodka Soda and the gin thing that’ll make you bubble with excitement. It’s a Texan thing and we’re proud like that. They’re boasting of “real” ingredients, great taste and no compromise. On the can, the H20 is written like the water symbol, and there’s a cattle brand like a flowing R. Now, get over to www.ranch20spirits.com and see if you can picture yourself like the cowboy-booted lady relaxing her legs out of her window. Since I’m quite sure she is of age and not driving, I’m imagining her cooling off after the head ranch hand has driven her around to survey her spread. Winewisk Wine is like music, they say, and we all like something different. Winewisk Aerator lets you taste before and after in your own glass experience levels of flavor and aroma. Swirl without judgement. The bonus is the slip of plastic is color coded, so you can keep up with your own serving. Clip it on the inside of your glass and you can swirl when you want to. These are the perks beyond smoother taste as you release your wine’s full flavor and aroma. Winewisk.com has more on this cool tool. I like that it slows you down and encourages you to use your senses. It does make a positive difference. www.winewisk.com Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie keeping hydrated. Let her know what you are enjoying this season via darraghcastillo@icloud.com