Latest Food & Beverage Articles http://buzzingniches.com/ Articles at Buzzing Niches Article Directory en-us Mercury Levels in Fish - What Does it Mean? http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/mercury-levels-in-fish-what-does-it-mean.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/mercury-levels-in-fish-what-does-it-mean.html Sun, 29 Aug 2010 16:38:14 -0600
What are the Concerns for Asheville Seafood Restaurant Owners?

Asheville seafood restaurant owners are concerned that their customers aren't getting good information on mercury levels in fish. The EPA and the FDA have guidelines on how we should be eating fish, but it can all be a little confusing. The three guidelines are as follows: 1) Do not eat shark, mackerel, sword or tilefish due to high levels of mercury; 2) Eat up to 12 ounces a week of fish low in mercury; and 3) Check local advisories for levels in fish caught by family and friends. These leave you kind of wondering, huh?

What Does It Really Mean?

The first is the most important. What does the EPA consider to be low levels? The five most common fish with generally-accepted low levels of methyl-mercury are: shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish and light-canned tuna. Those most at risk are young children and pregnant women. Mercury can seriously affect the development of young nervous systems.

What Are the Risks?

The risks depend on what type of fish and how much is consumed. George has told me that, "Seafood is still as popular as ever, but consumers are pickier about what they eat." The fish highest in mercury are larger, older fish that are higher on the food chain. When mercury hits the water it is absorbed by algae and plankton. It is also absorbed by all the other fish. This gives all, or most fish, a trace amount, but when a larger fish eats a smaller fish, bio-magnification takes place. Not only does the large fish have its own trace amount, but you have to add all the traces from all the fish it has eaten.

Where Did It Come From?

In the early part of the 20th century, the good folk in Minamata, Japan, located on the island of Kyushu, convinced an industrialist to build his plant in their town. They hoped to benefit from modernization and industry. What they didn't want was to be poisoned. At the time, mercury was an important part of the catalyzing process and many tons were released into the seas surrounding the island. In the early 50s, the inhabitants started to notice strange behavior in the local animals. Cats would act crazy and scream. Birds would fall out of the sky. After several years, these symptoms were noticed in humans and an investigation began. In 1957, fishing was banned but by the time Chisso Corporation was stopped, more than 5,000 people died and as many as 50,000 were poisoned.

Today, there are two primary sources for mercury in fish - coal-burning power plants and chlorine chemical plants. Older chlorine plants use mercury to strip chlorine from salts, leaving a toxic bi-product. Modern chlorine plants use a membrane to separate the chlorine and don't pose the same risk. However, coal plants still burn coal. Mercury is a natural contaminate of coal and is released when coal is burned. The chlorine falls into lakes, rivers and estuaries where it combines with water to form methyl-mercury - the worst kind.

For more information about seafood and recipes visit:
http://fishermansquarters.info

]]> Wholesale of foods and chocolates http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/wholesale-of-foods-and-chocolates.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/wholesale-of-foods-and-chocolates.html Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:04:17 -0600 Food wholesalers deal in supplying the food products in large quantities to retailers, for resale direct to the consumer. Food wholesalers are the authorized distributors of various food products as meat, brown chicken eggs, processed chicken meat, chicken eggs, frozen chicken meat, white chicken eggs, broiler hatching eggs etc. Food distributors tend to cover the distance between the producer and the retailer. They employ a variety of transaction methods to commute the food products from the producer to the retailer, so as to minimize the costs for the retailer.

There are numerous benefits for buying food from the food wholesaler. Chances are that your specific the products that are not available in regular stores at any particular time of the year. This is because when the production of the items was stopped, or went out of season; these items were stocked by the whole food suppliers. This is a great potential opportunity for you. If you purchase your food products from food distributors, you would lower your transportation costs and other handling fees, which you would have to pay while dealing with any retail store or dealer. Wholesale food suppliers have solid transportation agreements and do not pass on your goods to any of the parties which can damage your products. 

Food distributors serve to be the middle men between food manufacturers and the end buyers. There are several benefits for the commercial purchasers who place the order for wholesale food products from the food distributors. Food distributors offer one-stop shopping for the restaurateur. These services help them to save considerable time that they would have spent on ordering various specialty products directly from either the manufacturers or from the multiple suppliers. Apart from carrying the brand name products, food distributors also sign a contract with the manufacturers to allow for the distribution of any of the food products o chocolates under some store brand name. Thus, it also helps to bring the quality of a brand label, while omitting the label price of the expensive brands. 

Wholesale chocolate suppliers offer great discounts on the chocolates. They offer you discounts on the “much in demand chocolates”. It is difficult to find a good wholesale chocolate supplier for long term business. Therefore you must choose only reputable companies to do business with. Apart from providing you heavy discounts on the different varieties of chocolates, they help you to save lots of money, by cutting down on your transportation and other handling costs. Chocolate whole sale suppliers also have some of the imported brands and they offer huge discounts on their purchase. The retailers, in this way, can expect huge profit margins when they sell the chocolates to the consumers. Wholesale business is a growing business which is advantageous for both the retailer as well as the wholesale supplier.

]]> Food hampers: give your loved ones a little bit of luxury http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/food-hampers-give-your-loved-ones-a-little-bit-of-luxury.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/food-hampers-give-your-loved-ones-a-little-bit-of-luxury.html Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:20:58 -0600 hampers often go down a treat. It's important to try to tailor your hamper to the tastes of the recipient - after all, while a generic hamper is all well and good, it doesn't exactly scream originality. There are, however, companies out there that provide a wonderful array of specialist hampers to cater for anyone's tastes. Here are just a few examples:

Sticking to tradition

Traditional hampers are often well received but there are so many specialised options out there to allow you to put your own personal touch on things. How about a vegetarian hamper for those who don't eat meat or a luxury student hamper to send a son or daughter off to university with a smile on their face?

Bring a bottle

For someone who loves a tipple now and then a wine hamper makes a perfect gift. Whether they're themed to contain white wine, red wine or sparkling wine, these hampers tend to go down a storm. And it's not just drink that fills up wine hampers - some treats to nibble on are also included, making for a lovely overall package.

Classic cheese

Another favourite is a hamper containing your recipient's favourite wine and cheeses - or perhaps even cheese and a bottle of port for something that little bit extra special. Again, the cheese and drink are complimented by chocolates or biscuits to round off a classic hamper.

A bit of bubbly

While hampers containing champagne and chocolates are a popular romantic gift, why not go the extra mile and splash out on a champagne breakfast hamper with breakfast muffins, ground coffee and fruit preserves? Perfect for a very special breakfast in bed.

Something sweet

If the person you're buying for has a sweet tooth then you'll want to look at chocolate-themed hampers. From mint chocolates and chocolate covered nuts to pralines and truffles, there's something there for every chocoholic. Or, if you'd like to opt for something a little different, consider a muffin and cookie basket for a present to remember.
]]> The Importance of Acidity in Coffee http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/the-importance-of-acidity-in-coffee.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/the-importance-of-acidity-in-coffee.html Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:35:55 -0600
Acidity in coffee is a basic sensation you feel in your mouth, the energy or life of the coffee not necessarily the pH levels you learn in science. Having acidity in coffee is highly desired and it helps identify quality coffees. Without acidity the coffee would taste flat and lifeless. However, to measure the type or flavor of acidity you must use your nose. Only it can tell you if the acidity is of lemon or orange flavor for instance.

Coffees grown at higher altitudes and coffees grown in volcanic soils that are full of minerals tend to have a higher acidity level than coffee beans grown at lower altitudes. But there are other factors such as processing and roasting that can change the acidity level in the bean itself.

The way coffee is processed also creates acidity. Wet processed coffee beans will have a higher acidity level than dry processed beans. The wet, or water, process is where the skin and mucilage (pulp) is removed using water and then put through the drying process. In the dry method the whole cherry (fruit of the coffee plant which contains the bean) is dried and could take up to 4 weeks for drying before the fruit is sent to the huller. The dry method is the oldest method of processing.

The roasting process beans will change the level of acidity in the bean. The lighter roasted beans will have more acidity than beans that are Full or Dark Roasted. Some terminology of light roasted beans are Cinnamon Roast or New England and Full and Dark Roasted examples are Espresso and French.

Preference and taste is based on the individual and whether you like a light, medium or dark roast coffee it will all contain a level of acidity as fresh, good coffee should.

]]> Coffee Toll Roasting - Choose with Care http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/coffee-toll-roasting-choose-with-care.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/coffee-toll-roasting-choose-with-care.html Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:14:47 -0600
Toll roasting shouldn't be done by just anyone. You are putting trust in someone to bring out the maximum flavor potential in each and every bean, and that's not an easy task. Coffee roasting is a skill perfected over time - through experience, scientific knowledge, good judgment and plenty of cupping sessions. A Roastmaster needs to know the precise formula for roasting beans to a light, medium or dark roast, as well as which type of roasting is appropriate for each type of bean. Some beans are best left lightly roasted, while others benefit from developing more robust flavors through roasting darker.

Although a roaster might know that an Ethiopian bean has its best flavor at a lighter roast, he also needs to know that each year's crop is affected by weather, harvesting and processing methods, storage and any number of other factors. It takes true talent to meet the challenge of maintaining consistent quality and flavor profiles of the coffees that your customers have come to expect.

The things we love about coffee - flavor, body and aroma - are really determined in the roasting process, as complex naturally occurring compounds are released, altered and optimized during the heating process. These compounds can be ruined by roasting the beans too long, and if the beans aren't heated sufficiently. Toll roasting requires precision to roast the particular origin to the optimum temperature with perfect timing. Once that perfect roast is achieved, care must be taken to prevent compromising the flavor by storing or packaging it improperly.

The toll roasting process puts your reputation in the hands of the roaster you choose, so the importance of selecting a roaster with not only knowledge and skill, but a commitment to quality and integrity is vital. By choosing the best coffee roaster available, you'll develop a personal and long-lasting relationship that will continue to provide your customers with consistent quality coffee roasts.
]]> Gulf Oil Spill and Crabs http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/gulf-oil-spill-and-crabs.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/gulf-oil-spill-and-crabs.html Sat, 24 Jul 2010 23:16:47 -0600
So, when it comes to crabs, which types are most abundant in this region? Well, the Atlantic and Gulf coast regions surrounding Florida yield approximately 98 percent of the country's stone crab population. Additionally, blue crabs are also found from Nova Scotia, down the east coast of North America, off Bermuda, and throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.


While research continues to be done regarding how the oil spill will affect the present and future for these creatures, crab lovers still have plenty of options when it comes to dining on crab delicacies - they may just have to seek out some other options.

George Baxevanis, owner of a popular seafood restaurant in Asheville, NC knows what it's like to be resourceful when it comes to ordering crabs because his seafood restaurant is located in the mountains of western North Carolina - not exactly an area known for its abundance of crab.


However, ask George what some of his diners crave most and they will tell you - his Alaskan King or snow crab legs.
So, if you get a craving for crab legs, you can try different types of crab from Hawaii, Alaska, and Pacific U.S. waters. Varieties include Dungeness, King, Kona snow crabs and more.

The Sustainable Snow Crab

Snow crab population levels are rebuilding, and overfishing is not occurring. And, according to the National marine Fisheries Service, in 2008, 58.5 million pounds of snow crab were caught and retained in U.S. fisheries in the Bering Sea. U.S.-caught snow crab account for about one third of the snow crab sold in the U.S.

"Snow crab is most noted for its sweet, delicate flavor" says Baxevanis. "It's got a snowy-white meat and tender texture and is perfect for me to serve at Fisherman's Quarters II because of its versatility. It can be served as an appetizer, in a salad, or as an entrée."


Snow Crab is also high in protein, yet low in fat and calories. For example, a three-ounce serving contains only about 95 calories. It's also available all-year round.

The King of the Crabs - Taste and Profitability



There's a reason why top chefs use King Crab from Alaska on their menus and Baxevanis is not different.

‘Our guests love these," he says. "They have such a rich and tender taste. They also look pretty impressive when served on a platter."
Baxevanis tends to run these as specials, but when he does, they go like hotcakes!

As one of the most widely-recognized shellfish, Alaskan king crab commands a specialty menu item position. It also allows profitable pricing for restaurateurs with the added value of easy preparation and reduced labor costs.

Alaskan king crab, like snow crab, is also low in fat and calories; it's a light and healthy source of high-quality protein. One three-ounce serving yields about 82 calories.

Technology Makes it Possible

So, while you may be dismayed by the crabs affected by the Gulf oil spill, there are alternatives. State-of-the-art freezing and processing technology make is possible, within hours of harvest, to ensure a consistent, high-quality product that is sure to satisfy any crab loving consumer - especially convenient when living in the mountains of western North Carolina!

For more information about seafood and recipes visit:
http://fishermansquarters.info
]]> Commercial Catering Equipment, Regrigeration Equipment From Hawaiian Ice http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/commercial-catering-equipment-regrigeration-equipment-from-hawaiian-ice.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/commercial-catering-equipment-regrigeration-equipment-from-hawaiian-ice.html Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:50:29 -0600 Hawaiian Ice is a wholly Australian owned and operated business providing catering equipment supply and installation Australia-wide. Hawaiian Ice is an Official Distributor for Waring Commercial Blenders, Arneg Oceania Refrigerated Display Cabinets and Deli Counters, Orford Refrigeration, Stuart Ice Makers, Bromic Refrigeration, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, FED, Sharp Attack Butchery Equipment, Espresso Doctor and many more leading manufacturers and suppliers of quality catering equipment. They are continually adding to our product and equipment list so make sure you come back to see their database grow. Whatever your needs, they are confident that they can provide you with a top of the range product at highly competitive prices.

They can help you fund your hospitality equipment needs without having to rob a bank. So, whether you are a catering or food and beverage veteran or in the process of setting up a new venture, you have come to the right place, for the right equipment, at the right price. Their aim is to provide quality products and service to you. Hawaiian Ice is your one-stop Commercial Catering Equipment specialists. Whatever your needs, they have everything award winning design and shop fit out, cold room build, remote refrigeration, total equipment supply everything from cash registers to fridges and freezers, consumable products. Most of their equipment is available through the Try/Buy/Rental Program, offering a further opportunity to save $1000's. They offer specialized service in the installation & maintenance of LPG pipeline, kitchen equipment & fire extinguishers. They concentrate on providing quality products & services to satisfy their customer’s implied & specified needs. They supply catering equipment and commercial catering equipment. They provide Refrigeration Equipment for home use without danger. They offer catering equipment, and restaurant equipment at competitive price. They can help you with a number of things including organize your thoughts, put together funding strategies, overcome obstacles, figure out what equipment you need and even help you decide if this business is right for you. They choose only to identify themselves with fine companies who have quality restaurant equipment. Guaranteed Lowest Price on Restaurant Equipment, Restaurant Supply, Catering Equipment, Concession Equipment and Foodservice Supplies. They are dedicated to providing the very best products and services available. They are eager to assist you with your foodservice needs. They are one stop source for Restaurant Cafe Equipments. They offer Catering equipment new and used and Cooking supplies for cafes, restaurants and hotels. A commercial kitchen design should employ all the basic requirements of flawless maintenance of catering equipment.

]]> Green Tea versus Black Tea http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/green-tea-versus-black-tea.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/green-tea-versus-black-tea.html Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:09:34 -0600 There are many types of tea but the common ones are green and black tea. Tea has different colors, aroma, taste, flavor and what they are made from. Tea can be different depending on which part of the world it comes from. Both of these types of tea have their specific benefits to your health. People prefer different types of tea depending on the taste and the color but the other consideration is the health benefits that their choice of tea gives.

The green tea has powerful antioxidant known as egcg. This compound is converted into other compounds when making the black tea. The best green tea includes matcha, gyokuro, sencha, dragon weel and jasmine pearls. The theaflavins and thearubigens found in black tea make it healthy. Black tea has distinct color and taste. Black tea also contains the flavonoids a phytonutrient with antioxidant benefits to your body. This helps in the reduction of stroke and heart disease risks since it reduces LDL which is the bad cholesterol. The cholesterol content in drinks and foods is one of risks involved with these diseases. Both of these teas come from the same plant called camellia sinensis though they are processed differently. Green tea is not fermented unlike the black tea which goes through crashing and fermentation.

The polyphenols that are responsible for the health benefits of tea are present in green tea while they are destroyed in black tea through the process of fermentation found in the original tea leaves. Polyphenols are types of oxidant that are responsible for the scavenging of the free radicals that damage the cells in the body and detoxify them. Tea has eight to ten percent of the polypherols that is found in fruits and vegetables. The polypherols are responsible for blocking the DNA damage that is associated with tobacco and other toxic chemicals. This reduces the cases of cancer and heart attacks among tea lovers. The caffeine content in black tea is higher and caffeine is known to cause anxiety, lack of sleep and irritability. If you are sensitive to caffeine it is advisable to take green tea.

Black tea causes staining of the teeth after a long use. This is not common with green tea. It has bacteria destroying abilities that can help prevent food poisoning. It kills germs that cause teeth decay as a result of dental plaque. Though this can be improved using the whitening strips it is obviously a process that happens slowly and can affect your general teeth color appearance.

Green tea can be used to treat stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. It can be drank or taken in the form of tablets or capsules called epigallocatechin. Green tea can also prevent headaches and depression. It also prevents the abnormal formation of blood clots which is the cause of heart attacks and stroke. As you choose the best tea to go for the flavor and color does not matter so much than the benefits especially the health advantages of your choice of tea.

]]> Dark chocolate and advantages http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/dark-chocolate-and-advantages.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/dark-chocolate-and-advantages.html Thu, 01 Jul 2010 07:30:49 -0600

Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans and comes in three kinds: white chocolate, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate. The most popular form of chocolate in the market is dark chocolate - although there isn’t any specific definition of dark chocolate it is named as black chocolate. The strong flavour of any chocolate product depends on the portion of cocoa used in its formulation; for instance, milk chocolate is produced by mixing up powered milk, condensed milk and liquid milk; similarly, white chocolate contains milk, fat, and sugar, but does not contain any cocoa solids. The chocolate products have different names depending on the concentration or amount of the cocoa used in their production.  

One kind of chocolate is dark chocolate, made purely of cocoa; it is also known as “black chocolate” or “plain chocolate”, because of its dark color and solid confection. Dark chocolate is an ideal product for the people of all ages as it does not contain any kind of milk additives (or has a very small amount of milk in it); it is an amalgamation of a high amount of cocoa, fat, and sugar. Perhaps, it is the high proportion of cocoa which makes its color dark or black in outlook. Dark chocolate comes in two tastes; one is semi-sweet chocolate and another is bittersweet chocolate.  The former is used in cooking processes and has 50% sugar content and cocoa butter while the latter contains very little sugar (around 1/3), and more amounts of cocoa powder, and vanilla flavour. Bittersweet chocolate is basically chocolate liquor, with less sugar than semisweet chocolate; however, both types can be used for cooking purposes. Sweet chocolate (dark chocolate) comes with a 15% concentration of chocolate liquor and a minimum of 35% cocoa; it can be eaten as well as used in cooking. Black chocolate may also come in the form of bars with 85% cocoa and even much more: like 99%; but chocolate with such high concentration of cocoa can be rather expensive. The more amount of cocoa a chocolate has, the more expensive it will be.  

Dark chocolate tends to be very highly valued among heart patients and those with cardiovascular problems as it helps to lower blood pressure by reducing cholesterol. Black or sweet chocolate is a very useful antioxidant which protects the heart from aging prematurely, and it enhances the immunity system in the fight against diseases. It is also reported that black chocolate aids in the treatment of anaemia and kidney stones. Additionally, it helps to improve the flow of blood in the body by promoting blood clotting, and stimulates the digestion process by exciting one’s appetite. In most cases, black chocolate bars are given as anti-depressants; it shows that dark chocolate is very helpful in reducing depression by providing a means to relax the mind. To top it off, this kind of chocolate arouses the brain activity by slowing down its decline at old age. 

 

]]> Seafood and Omega 3 Fatty Acids http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/seafood-and-omega-3-fatty-acids.html http://buzzingniches.com/food-and-beverage/seafood-and-omega-3-fatty-acids.html Sun, 27 Jun 2010 11:36:59 -0600
Now you're probably thinking, how can something called "fatty" have health benefits? Easy, there are two kinds of fat: saturated and unsaturated. The saturated make you unhealthy by clogging arteries and raising your cholesterol levels; the unsaturated ones are essential nutrients. Essential nutrients are things your body can't go without; they are the basic building blocks of life.

What's the Skinny on Omega 3 Fatty Acids?

So, what makes these "fatty" acids better than the rest? They have a final carbon bond located at the n-3…blah blah blah. Unless you're schooled in chemistry, this sheds little light as to why omega 3s are good. Studies show that a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids can lead to a lowered risk of heart disease as well as a number of other benefits. Some research has linked omega 3 fatty acids to improvements with depression, anxiety, arthritis, immune function, brain health and even cancer.

There are three omega 3 fatty acids important to nutrition - ALA, EPA and DHA. ALA is a short chain omega 3 and can be used by the body to synthesize long chain fatty acids. It's often found as a supplement but only converts about five percent to the long chain fatty acids. EPA and DHA are long chain fatty acids. They gained notoriety in the 70s when a study of the Inuit people showed low instance of heart disease and other ailments, despite a diet high in fat. Long chain Omega 3s were shown to have reduced triglycerides, heart rate, blood pressure and atherosclerosis. Omega 3s are endorsed by medical associations worldwide.

Micro Algae, the very foundation of life on earth, produce EPA and DHA throughout the world's oceans. As the first link of the food chain, these micro algae feed the subsequent links and so on until it reaches us. Certain fish, particularly cold water fish, have high levels of these advantageous fatty acids. Algae eat the micro algae, then krill eat the algae, then a small fish eats the krill and a large fish eats the small fish; we eat the big fish. The cumulative effect is a healthy and tasty treat rich in long chain omega 3 fatty acids.

What Fish Are Best?

The fish highest in omega 3s are typically cold water species like salmon, mackerel and cod. Some others commonly found are sardines and anchovies; these are rarely seen as fresh fish but are frequently preserved and used as an ingredient. The number of species on menus today is varied and there are some others falling into the cold water category such as Arctic Char which is closely related to salmon and trout. Halibut is also popular with fish ranging from 10 to 1,500 pounds or more. There are some fish rich in omega 3s that are not typically associated with cold water - flounder, swordfish and catfish to name a few. That's right; catfish is a significant source of omega 3 fatty acids.

The health advantages of omega 3s are tremendous. They have been linked to the proper functioning of nearly every body system. The added bonus is that you don't have to "take" it as a pill. All you have to do is eat some fish. Remember, before making any big lifestyle changes, check with your doctor first.

For more information about seafood and recipes visit:
http://fishermansquarters.info

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