YumSugar

Chocolate Coaster: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:01:19 -0800

I saw these Chocolate Coasters ($12.95) and knew they'd be perfect for chocolate month. They come in packs of four and look exactly like hunks of brown or white chocolate. I think they might make a good gift for a super-chocoholic, but I'm not sure I'd want to use them on my coffee table. What do you think? Do you want them in your house?

Yummy Links: From Fall Desserts to Taco Bell's Cupcakes

partysugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:50:32 -0700

21 desserts that celebrate Fall. - Bon Appétit
Why are doctors selling out to Coke?- The Atlantic
Learn how to paint your kitchen. - The Amateur Gourmet
Scenes from the 2009 Los Angeles Chocolate Salon. - Daily Dish
Andrew Carmellini was crowned the Meatball King at the New York Wine and Food Festival. - Grub Street NY
Scary or practical? Coasters that detect if a drink is spiked with date-rape drugs. - Eat Me Daily
Ferran Adria is rumored to be opening a restaurant outside of Spain. - Eater
Taco Bell is currently testing cupcakes and smoothies.- OC Register

Yum Market Finds: From Coast to Coaster

YumSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 06:58:32 -0700

One of my pet peeves is coffee rings on the table, they drive me absolutely crazy. That's why I love coasters (as long as you remember to use them, ahem, Jimmy, I'm talking to you). Well, it turns out that I'm not the only one who thinks coasters are fantastic. While looking through the Yum Market I noticed that you guys seem to like coasters too. My first find comes from koreniebear. She found these paper coasters featuring photographs of beverage signs. 48 coasters, 12 different images. Take a roadtrip without having to leave your home!

Two more coasters, so read more

These retro inspired coasters are easy to wipe clean and won't slip on your table (they're backed with cork). They're also sure to bring a smile to those who use them. Each coaster features a "desperate housewife" and say things like, "Coffee, chocolate and men... some things are better rich!" - what a cute (and totally kitschy) find. Thanks for bookmarking these cravinsugar.

My last find comes from TeamSugar member eruntale. These Street Sign Coasters are made from actual recycled street signs. So not only will they look great on your table, but hey you'll be helping out the environment too.

Taste Test: Chuao Firecracker Chocolate Bar

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:15:52 -0700

Last year, I sung the praises of a small chocolatier, Chuao, for its unique and delicious flavor combinations, like strawberry balsamic and spicy Cabernet caramel. I had a chance to try their newest bar, the Firecracker, and it was no exception.The chocolate smelled typical enough - bittersweet and slightly smoky. But once I took a bite, my experience took a turn for the bizarre. First, I tasted creamy dark chocolate then gradually intensifying heat and a tingly, burning sensation in the back of my throat. And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, loud crackling and popping, at which point I realized there was not only an explosion of flavor, but also a physical explosion of some kind. To find out what the cracker of the Firecracker was, read more.

Turns out the appropriately-named chocolate bar is made of dark chocolate, enrobed in chipotle chiles, salt, and popping candy - the kind I loved in the third grade. I can only liken the bizarre, oddly addictive experience to going on a roller coaster for the first time and wanting to go again. For those of you who are game (it is not for the unadventurous eater or faint of heart), I encourage you to go for a ride. Does spicy chocolate with popping candy sound like something you'd want to try?

Biggest Headline of 2008: Cookies Die and Come Back

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:00:48 -0800

This year was a turbulent year for all, and the traditional snack cookie was no exception. Snack companies took fans on a roller coaster ride, discontinuing cookies and then announcing their revival. In January of this year, cookie classicists reeled from the loss of the Hydrox cookie, the crispy, chocolate sandwiches the preceded the Oreo. Consumers raised such ruckus over the death of Hydrox that Kellogg's, the cookie's manufacturer, agreed to bring it back. The catch? Kellogg's stated that the cookie's overall future was contingent on whether "it sells a lot."So far, Hydrox has remained on shelves. Mother's cookies, however, were not so lucky. After nearly 100 years of baking, Mother's Cookies crumbled, leaving lovers of Circus Animal Cookies and Taffy Sandwiches up in arms. Archway, which bought out Mother's cookies in 2005, also dissolved.

This month, Kellogg's announced it would be acquiring the rights to Mother's recipes, too. The company didn't reveal too many details, but did say it plans to rekindle the most popular of Mother's snacks. Did you find this year's cookie drama unsettling? Are you worried that any of these sweet Kellogg's deals will sour?

Source and Source

Yum Gift Guide Round Up

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:56:11 -0800

For those of you still doing some last minute shopping, I thought a quick review of my Yum Gift Guides might be helpful.

Fab Foodie - Cute Aprons, Plates and other fabulous finds

The Reader - Books guaranteed to stimulate their appetites and minds

Good Eats - Retro Chocolate Bars, Paella Gift Set and other delicious delights

Kitchen Geeks - Duet Blender and Food Processor, Nutritional Scale and more must have gadgets

Wine Lovers - Preservation Kits, Picnic Kits and other wine necessities

Stocking Stuffers - Cute coasters, kitschy toothpicks and more