All About Spring Beer - A Refreshing Way to Welcome Back the Warmth

While winter might still be clutching your area in an icy grip, spring is here. For beer lovers, that means finding the perfect beverage to welcome back spring and all its promises of new growth and returning warmth. Of course, this begs the question - what exactly makes a beer ideal for springtime, anyway?

What's Spring Beer?

It seems like every season has brews dedicated to it - summer gets light, refreshing lagers that cool you off and revitalize you. Autumn finds folks gearing up for Oktoberfest and wintertime sees specialty winter and holiday beers galore, loaded down with cinnamon, cloves and honey. What about spring, though? Actually, the first season of the year really doesn't see the same profusion of season-specific offerings. That doesn't mean that you won't have any options once the weather begins to warm and you have to start eyeballing the front yard to prepare for the start of grass-cutting season.

Many spring beers have a specific set of characteristics, though these vary considerably with style and geographic region. With that being said, you'll find that the following qualities can often be found to some degree in "spring" brews:

• Citrus
• Light color
• Refreshing (many spring brews are lagers)
• Crisp
• Clear or cloudy (both styles are popular in spring)

Bock, Doppelbock and Maibock

While all types of beer can be served during springtime, the traditional beverage brewed is bock. Bock has a storied history, particularly surrounding religious festivals and celebrations, and was widely consumed during Lent. Bock was brewed in the winter, specifically for consumption during March. Historically, both bock and doppelbock served as staples during springtime.

Doppelbock was the traditional beer of Lent, though bock was also consumed at this time. Doppelbock offered a darker color and stronger body, as well as plenty of bite. Of course, you don't have to be a monk to appreciate the flavor and beauty of a good doppelbock.

However, there is really only one type of beer brewed specifically for drinking during spring today - maibock. Traditional bock was consumed by monks fasting during Lent and was considered "liquid bread". With today's completely altered cultural landscape, it makes sense that the traditional beer has also changed.

Maibock is brewed specifically for drinking during springtime, though it came about relatively recently in comparison with other bock styles. Technically, maibock really isn't a bock at all - it's a helles lager that is brewed to the same strength as bock (6-7% ABV). Also called May bock, maibock styles are usually associated with the month of May and the warmest portion of spring. While maibock might not be a "true" bock, it does hold to a few of the traditional characteristics of the style, including:

• Low hops flavor
• High alcohol content

It differs in that it usually has more carbonation than a traditional bock or doppelbock, and the flavor is often less malty. It's also usually lighter in color than bocks, being gold to light amber, where bock is usually copper or brown.

Another Notable Derivative

Maibock is just one popular derivative of the bock brewing style. Another option is eisbock, a much stronger brew. Where maibock might top out at just over 7% ABV, eisbock can range from 9 to 13% ABV. It's also made differently - the beer is partially frozen and then the water ice is removed from the brew, leaving a higher alcohol concentration behind. Eisbock usually has very little hops flavor and retains little to no head because of the higher alcohol content. Because of the lower hops flavor, this style is often rather sweet as well.

Other Spring Beers Worth Checking Out

Of course, you don't have to celebrate the arrival of spring with a bock or bock-derivative. There are plenty of other styles out there to tempt your palate.

Guinness - While a pint of the "black stuff" might not be your first pick for a spring beer, ask any Irish person what beer they most associate with spring and you're likely to receive this as an answer. It's largely due to the stout's association with Saint Patrick's Day, though there's never a bad time for a good pint of Guinness.

Sam Adams Alpine Spring - New for 2012, Sam Adams has produced a notable lager that will certainly wet your appetite for spring. This new lager offers many of the qualities found with traditional helles brews, but also some of the characteristics associated with bocks. It combines citrus flavors and aromas with noble hops, as well as plenty of malt and hops. It's also unfiltered and cloudy, so don't be surprised if you can't see through it.

Sierra Nevada ESB - ESB stands for Early Spring Beer (not to be confused with Extra Special Bitter) and the brewery does a remarkable job in making this a very appealing brew. It's another unfiltered spring beer, but unlike others, this brew has a significant hops presence. You'll also find that it's brewed following British tradition and even uses British hops, though a smattering of US hops is also used in the mix.

Other options might be more traditional, though. Fruit beers are very popular during springtime in Belgium and there's nothing quite as refreshing as a good wit beer. Spiced beer is also popular during spring, though they're more heavily associated with winter and Christmas in particular. Still, a lightly spiced brew can be a great thing on a warm spring day, particularly if it carries notes of citrus and ginger.

Bottoms Up

Whether spring has sprung in your corner of the nation yet, there are plenty of excellent beers out there to check out. From bock to maibock, stout to English brews, you can find plenty of options to tempt your palate. Even if winter still clutches your neighborhood in its icy fist, there's no reason not to raise a pint of spring beer in honor of warmer days around the corner. What's your preferred beverage to drink while welcoming warmth back to the world?

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Posted in: about,Refreshing,Spring,Warmth,Welcome

Fun Facts About Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is not usually associated with boycotts, but in the summer of 2011, that produced by the Elite company was boycotted in Israel because of its high cost, in comparison to its cost in the US. Elite is an Israeli company, so it didn't seem fair that the price of its cottage cheese was higher in Israel than it was in other countries. The boycott was successful and the price was eventually lowered.

In the Indian subcontinent cottage cheese or 'paneer' is used in many savoury dishes, and goes well in a spicy dish with spinach. It is used to tame the hot spices used in traditional dishes, and these are very tasty.

Little Miss Muffet was clearly greedy and impatient. She sat on her "tuffet, eating her curds and whey" which are the precursors of cottage cheese. If she had waited a little longer she may not have had that traumatic encounter with the spider.

Cottage cheese is made by curdling pasteurized milk and draining off most of the liquid or whey, so that the only the curds are left in squishy lumps. You can curdle the milk with lemon juice, and make it from low-fat milk, so that it has fewer calories.

This type of cheese has been made for millennia and was made by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It gets its English name because it can so easily be made at home, and can be pressed into a thicker consistency to make a creamy white cheese with all the whey removed, until it becomes what is known as farmer's cheese, which is solid but crumbly rather like feta cheese.

It was a favourite of former US President, Richard Nixon, whose last meal as president was cottage cheese with a slice of pineapple. Doubtless the fresh pineapple makes for a better gourmet experience than the cottage cheese and pineapple you can buy in local supermarkets.

This type of cheese is ideal for dieters as its bland taste can be mixed with tastier things such as paprika or chilies, and eaten as a snack or in a main meal as it has only 98 calories per 100 grams, and this contains 11.1.grams of protein, and very little fat. It also contains high levels of selenium which is great for healthy skin and a general feel-good factor. It also contains vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin, and calcium, which is essential for healthy bones.

According to a USFDA report, Americans buy around 600 million pounds in weight of cottage cheese a year, although I suppose that doesn't mean they eat all that as it doesn't have a very long shelf-life. It is worth noting though that it takes a hundred pounds (weight) of milk to produce only fifteen pounds of cottage cheese.

It seems to be a favourite food, although I can't say I am a great fan, unless it is mixed into sweet pancakes or a spicy meat dish, as it tastes bland to me. However, it is this that makes it so versatile.

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All About Silken Tofu

Silken tofu, also known as smooth or soft tofu, is one of the 3 types of natural, unprocessed tofu that you can buy today (the others being firm and dry.) This tofu is unique in the fact that it is incredibly soft compared to everything else on the market. Because its so different from its "tofu brethren" its rarely called for in recipes but if you know how its made and how to use it its a very versatile food choice that can be used as a healthy alternative in place of higher fat dips and creams.

Of all of the natural tofu's, silken/soft tofu is the only one that is not drained during production and this is exactly what causes it to be so soft and to be the most moist of any of the major tofu varieties. The consistency of silken tofu is very much like butter and it can easily be used for spreading or for deserts. While most types of tofu are fairly substitutable, its important to know that you should only use this particular variety when specifically called for in a recipe as it will generally fall apart if used as a substitute for traditional firm tofu.

There are different types of regional customs employed when making soft tofu and this has resulted in several sub categories of this popular food. Most notably, black bean tofu or "Black douhua" is a type of silken tofu which is made from plain black beans and soybeans. This process results in a darker colored tofu with a slightly different (though very pleasant!) taste.

While you don't want to eat or serve silken tofu the same way as traditional firm tofu, there are a number of different methods for preparing and eating it. Its most often served as a spread that can be applied to other foods like crackers or even as a dipping sauce for vegetables - this makes it a very healthy alternatives to high fat processed dips like ranch! In addition to being served as a spread, you'll often find silken tofu served in a small square block with a garnish, or even a sweet sauce poured over the top. Since tofu does such a great job absorbing flavors this can be a very enjoyable meal of paired with something you enjoy,

Silken tofu is generally lower in fat, but also in protein when compared to firm. Here's a look at the nutritional information:

Tofu Nutritional Breakdown (Soft / Silken Tofu)

Serving Size = 1/2 Cup

Calories = 55

Fat = 3g

Protein 6g

Silken tofu is readily available in most specialty or natural grocery stores and is quickly invading traditional supermarkets. There are a number of great recipes out there so don't be afraid to pick some up the next time your shopping and open up an exciting new world of flavor possibilities!

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The Misconception About Drinking Water

Every biologist and scientific chemist would all agree that the human body is made up of mostly water. With that being true, why do we need to drink more water and how much is truly enough?

In today's modern era we see more people carrying around their bottled water than ever before. Everywhere you look, you are bound to spot someone in range either drinking water or carrying it to be consumed shortly. That's a really good habit, but...

There are some misconceptions about drinking water and the right amount we should take in on a daily basis. The Institute of Medicine reported for years that we should all take in a minimum of eight glasses daily. Next it was said men should drink so many cups, while women drink another number of cups. Then the reports changed down the road and reported that our consumption should be measured according to our own body weight. Drink in ounces half of what your body weight is.

Most American doctors will tell you to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. Who do we believe? Which measurement is correct? Nutritionist will clearly tell you to use your thirst as your GPS. Whenever you feel thirsty, take a drink of water and you will probably take in enough daily.

We must keep in mind there are also a variety of other things that calculated as your water intake, simply because they have a high water content. These would be foods such as certain fruits, and vegetables that are based very high in water.

Other drinks such as tea, coffee and carbonated drinks can be counted as fluids, although they are not very dependable in quenching the body's thirst for water. You can be certain that nothing hydrates the body as quickly as a glass of water.

Anyone who follows the food pyramid way of daily eating should also be fine with their daily consumption of adequate liquids. The only thing left to do is add enough water that is right for you and your body. It's important to never force yourself to become overly full from water alone. That increases the chances for the body to have too much water. People never consider this happening.

So, what is considered enough and how can you really know? One sure way to measure if your body is getting enough fluids is to monitor your urine. When the color of your urine appears to be of a light color to clear, you are most definitely well hydrated. When the urine appears darker, say (gold to darker) is when you should become alarmed, for it is then too concentrated and you need more water.

I've had a medical doctor from Miami once tell me that I should only drink about four to five glasses of water per day. The next thing he said to me was shocking, he said I should only urinate a minimum of 2 to 3 times a day! He continued by saying peeing every hour is not good for the body, it is too much work for the kidneys. Like I said there are much misconception about drinking water.

My question remains, "who do you believe?" I don't know about anyone else, but I intend to take the advice of the nutritionists and let my thirst be my guide. I intend to use common sense and eat enough fruits and vegetables daily, along with salads and other food based high in water and nutrients and still drink a minimum of six and or a maximum of eight glasses per day whenever feasible.

This may be a good guide for you to follow as well, for doing so you will find your own truth about how much water your body desire and clear of any misconception about drinking water.

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8 Facts About Fruits You May Not Know About

You should consume a variety of fruits is what you always get to hear from several people like dietitians, doctors and your family. Of course, because it is necessary for your body to get the essential quantity of vitamins, minerals, fiber, sugar and even water. Fruits provide these nutrients to your body and form a very significant part of your diet. But do you know all the facts about fruits? Below are given some of the facts about fruits you may not know about.

1. Fruits have low calories

Fruits are filling but they don't have excessive calories or fats in them. They contain vitamins, fiber and sugar - all of which are required to keep us in the best of health.

2. Fruits reduce cardiovascular diseases

Many fruits have the capability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke as well as cancer. So those who have heart problems can gorge on fruits as they are known to be naturally reducing the risk of heart strokes and other related diseases.

3. Fruits don't have any cholesterol

Many people have high cholesterol in their systems due to the intake of unhealthy products. This makes them vulnerable to heart diseases and other illnesses. But fruits can easily avoid that as they are 100% cholesterol free.

4. Fruits aid in digestion

Fruits have natural fiber present in them. This fiber is very essential to ward off the cholesterol and fats from the body, thus making the body more fit. It also helps in digestion and reduces the chances of constipation as well.

5. Fruits build immunity level

Fruits are very high in antioxidants like vitamin C and anthocyanins. These when combined reduce the risks of oxidant stress, diseases and cancer. Moreover, they also help in building the immunity levels of the body and thus protect it from such diseases.

6. Fruits prevent aging

Many fruits like mulberries, blueberries, blackberries and other such blue fruits have properties to prevent the signs of aging too. Thus, the lines and the pigmentation on the face can be avoided by eating such fruits. They protect and rejuvenate the body cells, tissues as well as organs.

7. Fruits regulate blood pressure

Fruits such as avocados and apples are known to be helpful in balancing the blood pressure levels of the body.

8. Fruits help us live longer

Lastly, and the most important fruits benefit is that they can prolong life. Fruits like bitter gourd and coconut have medicinal properties. Bitter gourd has anticancer, antiviral, antimalarial and many such properties. Coconut water on the other hand can be used for blood transfusion as it is very similar to blood plasma. It has also helped save lives in World War 2 where the soldiers got emergency blood transfusion.

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Posted in: about,facts,Fruits

Interesting facts about the common potato

The potato is a common vegetable choice these days who appears in at least one meal per day in the Western Hemisphere, especially in winter, when baked and mashed potatoes are great comfort food. However, the potato was once an object of disgust and suspicion. Is a member of the family Solanaceae that is a nightshade, then some toxins in its stems and leaves, and really shouldn't eat one that has a green tings to it. Its Latin name, Solanum tuberosum, means the root soothing while the potato Word has its origins in Peruvian Quechua-batata name now given to a kind of sweet potato and potato. Our source potato Andean South America about 8,000 years ago and was cultivated by the people remains of 6,000 years ago according to archaeology. They were "discovered" by Spanish explorers in the 16th century and were filmed in Spain, where they had a mixed reception.

English Buccaneer Sir Walter Raleigh is credited with taking them to Britain in 1589 and grew up on his estate near Cork, Ireland. Has a story that introduced the calming root of Elizabeth I and she ordered a banquet to be ready with the new plant in each course. Unfortunately no one bothered to tell the chef how to cook them so they threw away the tuber and fed guests stems and inflorescences, which contain toxins. Courtiers fell ill, some fatally, and the potato has been banned from the Royal Court.

They didn't fare much better in France as they were thought to be the root of all disease and the cause of premature deaths. An edict decreed that as they were the cause of leprosy was forbidden to be cultivated on "the pain of a fine". However, the potato came into its own in France when Auguste Antoine Parmentier (his name lives on in culinary circles as the description for almost thin potato sticks), who had been imprisoned in Germany and fed a diet of potatoes only returned to France. Has created a feast that has had more success than the English and popularized the potato in the Court of Louis XIV. The peasants, who had little to eat at the moment would not touch the potato, until Louis guards surrounding his potato patch-a clever ploy as peasants, thinking that they were very valuable that stole them. After this the tuber became popular. Marie Antoinette and the ladies of his Court brought the potato plants flowers in their hair as decoration.

Writing at the end of the 19th century, Friedrich Nietzsche (1844- -1900) the German philosopher wrote that "a diet composed mainly of rice to opium use." just as a diet that consists mainly of potatoes, leads to the use of liquor, this could be a radical generalization, but it is worth mentioning, perhaps, that the Russians used potatoes for their vodka, while the Irish, who cultivated potatoes for centuries made moonshine called Potcheen with potatoes.

Potatoes have certainly had an interesting history in the West don't you think?

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Learn about Gourmet food items and delicious mouth watering

Several countries around the world have different cultures and traditions and customs are followed regularly, while the execution of tasks of the day. These costumes are followed even during baking dishes and cultural delights. Various types of traditional hand-picked herbs and ingredients are used to cook food in order to provide a perfect taste to food. This delicacy culture and class is known as food gourmand. Gourmet dishes have a perfect aroma and flavor that has the capability of mesmerizing your senses. These food items are prepared using some of the best spices, herbs and other ingredients and food lovers from around the world I love this kind of food.

The gourmet meal includes spices, desserts, bread, wine, liquors, meat and other food thin pastry items. Some well-known chefs prepare this type of gourmet epicure food rich and famous, with the help of their exceptional culinary skills. These meal items are very expensive, but offer exclusive flavor and presentation that will leave a delicious aroma on your dish of meal. Much importance is placed on the presentation of these dishes in order to make them appear perfect. Below are some of the most popular forms of gourmet food products that you can buy some exclusive online stores as well as offline.

1. cakes and pastries
Gourmet cakes and pastries are widely popular throughout the world, mainly because of their delectable ingredients. Sweets and desserts are prepared with certain ingredients selective. Candies, chocolates and biscuits are also made under the category prolific and are normally made from the best Baker. These bakers are experienced and have excellent culinary skills in making gourmet baked food items for food lovers. There are several varieties of cakes in this category as the lemon cake, chocolate cake and bread of Spain.

2. tea and coffee
These teas and coffees are very different from normal, tea and coffee available on the market and that you drink on a regular basis. These are some great natural herbs that are useful in the fight with human diseases. There are several types of tea and coffee in this category of gourmets like biscuits, cappuccino, chocolate and hazelnut. These are specially made to entice your taste buds.

3. meat
Epicurus meat includes beef strip steak, caviar, free-range Turkey, pheasant and hot salami. You can also try these dishes with a number of other ingredients and natural herbs.

Well, these are some of the most popular gourmet food items that will surely tempting your buds of tang.

Free Gourmet is the only place online foodies and food lovers can get free gift cards, good for your favorite retailers.

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Posted in: about,Delicious,Gourmet,items,Learn,mouth,watering