Warning: session_start(): Cannot send session cookie - headers already sent by (output started at /hsphere/local/home/qcscripts/drinkersunite.com/blog/index.php:1) in /hsphere/local/home/qcscripts/drinkersunite.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/alinks/alinks.php on line 23 Warning: session_start(): Cannot send session cache limiter - headers already sent (output started at /hsphere/local/home/qcscripts/drinkersunite.com/blog/index.php:1) in /hsphere/local/home/qcscripts/drinkersunite.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/alinks/alinks.php on line 23 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /hsphere/local/home/qcscripts/drinkersunite.com/blog/index.php:1) in /hsphere/local/home/qcscripts/drinkersunite.com/blog/wp-includes/feed-rss2.php on line 8 Drinkers Unite » Non-Alcoholic Beverages http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog Drinkers Unit in All Things Drink Related. Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:35:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 More than a Trifling Experience of Belgian Chocolate Truffles http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/more-than-a-trifling-experience-of-belgian-chocolate-truffles http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/more-than-a-trifling-experience-of-belgian-chocolate-truffles#comments Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:36:55 +0000 articles http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/more-than-a-trifling-experience-of-belgian-chocolate-truffles A chocolate truffle is considered and known as a collection of nothing but chocolate sweets.. This mouth watering confection is usually made with a round ganache of chocolate core covered with a powdered cocoa or chocolate. It is actually named after the truffle fungus because of their physical similarities.

A ganache is a French term which refers to the mixture of heavy cream and chocolate. It is usually produced from cream of heavy consistency which is boiled and then dispensing it on top of chopped up chocolate. Then this concoction is then mixed until it become smooth. The ratio and proportion of the ganache will vary depending on the kind of chocolate the chocolatier wants. For truffles, the usual ratio is two parts of chocolates is to one part of cream.

There are basically four kinds of chocolate truffles that have been circulating the chocolate world. These three are the Swiss truffle, European truffle, American Truffle, and the Belgian Truffle.

The Swiss truffle is produced from the combination of chocolate and a boiling concoction of butter and dairy cream. This mixture is then gradually transferred into casts for setting. Eventually cocoa powder is sprinkled unto the chocolate casts. The Swiss truffle should be eaten up within days of production since it has a short shelf-life.

American truffles are shaped like half an egg which is covered with chocolate. It is a combination of milk or dark chocolates with coconut oil that is hardened and butterfat. The Canadians also has their own version which includes the additional ingredients of peanut butter and graham crumbs.

European truffles is created from a base made from powdered cocoa, powdered milk, and fats as well as syrup which then results to a palatable truffle which has oil-in-water essence.

Finally, the Belgian truffle is a made from Belgian chocolate and ganache. The ganache may be blended with certain liquors and essences. Mixtures of truffles are formed into long strands or balls, covered with powdered cocoa, dipped with icing. The Belgian chocolate truffles, when compared to its Swiss counterpart, are richer in chocolate and are less sweet. It is actually considered as the best kind of chocolate truffle in the world of chocolates.

Belgian chocolate truffles are easy to make even for neophyte chocolatiers. You just need to complete these ingredients to begin with making it: cooking chocolate, sifted instant coffee, egg yolk, sifted sugar icing, and unsalted butter.

To make the truffles, break down the chocolate into small pieces and melt it in a pot. A pot over a bigger pot should be brought to heat as well as boiling water in it. This is called the au-bain-Marie method. Then add up the butter and mix it until it melts. Next, do away with the chocolate and butter combination pot then mix in the egg yolk, icing sugar, coffee and then let this mixture chill down. Always check the mixture every now and then to make sure it will not be very hard.

Then, when the chocolate seems a little solid, scoop a teaspoonful and shape it into balls. You can roll it in your hands to get that rounded effect.

As for the covering, combine the powdered cocoa and the sugar icing in a mixing bowl. Then sprinkle it unto the balls of chocolate you have made.

The truffles should be then stored in the fridge for a longer shelf life.

So, you can either make your own truffle or travel to Belgium to buy belgian chcolate yourself. Plus, you even go on a sight seeing adventure while busy consuming the truffles as you travel.

]]> http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/more-than-a-trifling-experience-of-belgian-chocolate-truffles/feed 0 Gifts for Him 2 http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/gifts-for-him-2 http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/gifts-for-him-2#comments Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:08:57 +0000 articles http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/gifts-for-him-2 Here is the second half of the father’s day gift list from yesterday’s blog post. 

9. Out door things .   Purchase your dad a thing he can relax in. possibly a hammock, a front porch swing, or a nice cozy out-door lounge . He does enough during the day, so give him a rest !

10. Massage therapy. Mix it up a little and maybe give him a trip to the spa with mom for a couples massage or a great deep tissue. Something out of the ordinary. 

11. Magazine subscription. Subscribe your dad to a year’s worth of National Geographic, or whatever finds his interest . Something he would like to read, but probably wouldn’t get for himself. 

12. Something he doesn’t need. I think some of my favorite gifts have been things that are completely frivolous. Something that I totally don’t need, but just think is cool Maybe that bike computer that he thinks is cool, or backpacking gear…fishing poles….whatever floats your dad’s boat.

13. Get him that ridiculously priced box of chocolates. Something that will make him very happy….I think the key here is something that he would never do for himself.

14. This is going out on a limb, but if your Dad is a hunter and in the market for a pup, pick him out a great little hunting companion. This could be something that he enjoys for years!

15. Find something cool that your dad has accomplished ….maybe his first baseball gloves I…something like that. Put it up in some sort of display case to show him off. If he was published in the paper, work with that. Get creative.

16. Now this is interesting. How about a keys, wallet, phone & glasses finder! For those dads who lose everything, give him a helping hand with this nifty invention:

 

 

To see some of our properties, click on College Station Homes   or  Taylor Real Estate .  

]]> http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/gifts-for-him-2/feed 0 Learn About The Most Popular Tea Brands http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/learn-about-the-most-popular-tea-brands http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/learn-about-the-most-popular-tea-brands#comments Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:23:29 +0000 articles http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/learn-about-the-most-popular-tea-brands Walk down the tea aisle of any grocery store today and you will find shelf after shelf of bagged teas. Name brands you are familiar with sit side-by-side with name brands you have never heard of before, some with super high prices others value priced. Walk into any dollar or discount store and you will find even more options. This may make you wonder whether the quality of tea really matters. Are the higher priced brands any different than the lower priced brands?

This is a good question as everyone decides between the cheapest tea they can find and the high priced fine teas that can be purchased from specialty shops and through the Internet. Should you be paying more for higher quality teas or will they all taste the same regardless of how much you pay for them?

It turns out the freshness and quality of the tea is what makes the difference in taste. If you compared the taste of a variety of teas of the same type you would find that they varied between those with rich, exciting taste and smell and those that are just dull or perhaps not quite right in taste. The quality and freshness is what makes this difference.

Yet, you don’t necessarily have to pay extremely high prices for fine tea blends. Not all high priced teas are superior in taste to others on the market and not all lower priced teas are inferior. The key is to pick out name brands known for delivering higher quality, finer tasting teas and stick with them.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest names on the market so you can see what to look for.

Twinnings Tea

Twinnings Tea not only tastes just as it should, but it has wonderful aroma and is perfectly blended every single time. This is a long standing tea company that has been producing tea since the early 1700s. The company is known for putting out high quality products rather than just trying to be the cheapest out there.

There are 50 different types of Twinnings Tea today and teas from all over the world are included in their line up. If you have trouble finding a large variety of Twinnings Tea products in local stores you can always shop all of their varieties through their website online.

Introducing Stash Tea

Stash Tea has also been in business since the 1700s, but they draw more of their business from commercial companies. You may be able to find some of their exceptional loose teas at a local grocery store, but they do cater more to the commercial market. Their high quality teas are nicely blended and taste absolutely amazing.

This doesn’t mean Stash Tea is expensive or out of this world high in price. It just means they know that their higher quality teas taste superior to cheaply processed teas and deserve a fair price in today’s tea-loving market.

Teavana Tins

Since the freshness of your tea will affect their taste, it is important to use air tight containers like Teavana Tins. These decorative tins are air tight so your loose tea stays fresh for months on end. This will affect the taste of the tea and allow your high quality teas to last longer without sacrificing freshness.

These tins are decorative and air tight to ensure freshness for up to twelve months.

]]> http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/learn-about-the-most-popular-tea-brands/feed 0 What makes tea so important in Great Britain? http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/what-makes-tea-so-important-in-great-britain http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/what-makes-tea-so-important-in-great-britain#comments Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:08:25 +0000 articles http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/what-makes-tea-so-important-in-great-britain Tea is a very popular drink and is now drunk all over the world in huge amounts and you can buy it in many different varieties and flavours.  Although tea is very popular around the world it is very well known that people in Great Britain drink more tea than any other country. You can buy tea in shops, stores and online easily and it has become a national drink for English people.

You can find a much greater of teas when you buy tea online. There are so many different ones on the market and many have great health benefits and can help you to lose weight and stay healthy. Although tea has seen so many changes over the years and the time spent drinking it has been reduced, it is as popular as ever. Tea time is an important part of British Tradition.

Many traditions in Great Britain are lost but drinking tea is as popular today as it was thousands of years ago.Tea dances became very popular up until the Second World War, people would gather together to have fun drinking tea and dancing together. This tradition has slowly been lost but often events will be organized to celebrate the traditional tea dance and people will rush out and buy tea for the event.  The popularity of the tea meant that the prices were increased which caused it to become a rare item, smuggling then became popular.

To avoid giving up their tea drinking tradition, people would buy their tea on the black market. . When the taxes were finally dropped London tea houses became very popular and buying tea was a popular past time. Although it is far easier to buy tea these days online this takes away the character of visiting a tea shop.

Tea online is convenient and easy to buy and you can get several different types and flavors, although in Britain you can still visit tea shops. Great tea drinkers would enjoy specialist shops as they can advise you on best flavoured teas and best selling ones. If you enjoy tea then you will find that you want to try many different ones. Often they are very good for you and will boost your immune system, detox your body and help with weight loss.

Although tea has had its ups and downs the popularity of this simple drink is still very strong it has been through many changes but still remains popular. British people feel that it is their national drink and will continue to support it and buy tea whenever and wherever they can. Whether this be tea online, in shops or in far flung countries.

]]> http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/what-makes-tea-so-important-in-great-britain/feed 0 Coffee Makers – Select one that fits your Lifestyle http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/coffee-makers-select-one-that-fits-your-lifestyle http://www.drinkersunite.com/blog/non-alcoholic-beverages/coffee-makers-select-one-that-fits-your-lifestyle#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:57:57 +0000 articles