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Wolfgang Puck's Newest Venture: Iced Coffee

YumSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:37:08 -0700

Watch out, Frappuccino. There's a new iced coffee in town, and it's been created by world famous chef Wolfgang Puck. Amidst a nasty lawsuit, guest judging on Top Chef, and juggling his nearly 20 restaurants, the celebrity chef is rolling out a new line of ready-to-drink iced coffees.

The bottled beverages, which will compete directly with products like POMx Iced Coffee, will cost $2.39 each or $7.99 for a four pack of Vanilla Fusion, Double Blend Mocha, Creme Caramel, or Café au Lait.

Puck explained how his drinks would be different from those on the market, citing the fact that the coffees are sourced from certified organic farms in Ethiopia, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico and contain certified organic and kosher ingredients.

Whole Foods stores nationwide will stock the coffee by the end of the year. Would you be more inclined to buy iced coffee because it's by Wolfgang Puck?

USDA Orders Audit of National Organic Program

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:00:51 -0700

In the wake of the economic downturn, not only has the organics industry lost a significant share of customers, but it's been plagued by scandal as well. The natural foods industry was also the subject of debate when a recent UK study found that organic food is no healthier than conventional. Now, the US Department of Agriculture, hoping to address the ongoing organics problems, has ordered an audit of its National Organic Program (NOP), the organization that sets standards for organic products in America. The review, to be performed by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology, will examine whether the program is using internationally recognized standards for overseeing its network of almost 100 private certifiers, all of which have authority to determine whether foods meet federal organic standards.

Will an audit of the National Organic Program put questions about organic standards to rest? Do organic foods have a higher nutritional content than their conventional counterparts?

Best Conventional Food Bets

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:50:33 -0700

In a perfect world, everything we eat would be free of genetic modifications, hormones, or synthetic pesticides: In addition to surpassing their conventional counterparts in nutritional value, organic foods produce less waste and improve ecosystem sustainability. But organic food comes at a steep price, literally - one that can be 10 to 40 percent higher than conventionally produced products. So if you have to skimp on some organic products when shopping at the market, what items are safe bets to purchase conventionally? Click through to find out.

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Yummy Links: From Frozen Daniel Craig to Tony and Mario

partysugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:50:23 -0700

Would you eat this Daniel Craig Popsicle? - Eat Me Daily
Are you buying less organic milk? - Serious Eats
Tipping rules for takeout and delivery. - Bon Appétit
Flank steak salad with arugula is hearty and delicious. - Chow
Top Chef season six has wrapped filming in Las Vegas. - Eater SF
Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali talk everything from cupcakes to Food Network. - Grubstreet

Are You Willing to Accept the Occasional Bug in Produce?

partysugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:50:36 -0700

Yesterday I read an interesting article on Gourmet's website that discusses an increase in spiders found in packages of grapes. As more and more farmers stop using pesticides and start growing organic, insects like spiders act as a natural pest control. The problem comes when the consumer discovers a bug in their home kitchen.

While I'm a fan of organic produce, the thought of almost popping a grape with a spider on it into my mouth totally freaks me out.

How do you feel about the matter? Are you willing to accept an occasional pest or cobweb in return for fruit and vegetables that are pesticide-free?

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Liz Hurley, Prince Charles Team Up For Organic Foods Line

YumSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:00:47 -0700

Looks like the Obamas aren't the only ones raising media attention over sustainable food and farming: British model-actress Elizabeth Hurley is teaming up with none other than Prince Charles to launch a new line of organic foods.

The "modern, healthy, organic food" line will launch in October, Hurley's spokesperson said today. The range will be sold by Prince Charles's sustainable food company, Duchy Originals, with offerings such as pork, poultry, lamb, and rare breed beef, as well as organic grains harvested at Hurley's 400-acre organic farm in western England. Hurley added:

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is an inspiration to me because of his passionate belief in organic food and farming and his unwavering commitment to help protect and sustain the countryside.

I applaud both of them for raising consciousness about sustainable farming. Are you surprised to hear that organic farming is a priority for Elizabeth Hurley or Prince Charles?

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All the News That's Fit to Eat - Mar. 4, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:50:43 -0800

With their meaty texture, mild brine and vivid hue, Castelvetranos have become this year's olive of choice. - San Francisco Chronicle
If you think organic food is safer, think again. - New York Times
Make an authentic Roman spaghetti alla carbonara at home. - Boston Globe
Kitchen twine is one tool no home cook should be without. - Los Angeles Times
Find out what the creators of Open That Bottle Night enjoyed on its 10th anniversary. - Wall Street Journal
5 unusual recipes that call for nine items or fewer. - Washington Post
Top Chef 4 winner Stephanie Izard has a weekly video podcast. - Chicago Tribune

Marco Pierre White: "You Have a Duty to Put Reality Into TV"

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:00:32 -0800

If you're a fan of reality cooking shows, you may have heard about NBC's upcoming show, Chopping Block, which airs March 11. The show stars Marco Pierre White, the UK's original bad-boy chef, who has been known to make even Gordon Ramsay cry.

When I spoke to White today, the Chopping Block host was, in stark contrast to his deviant reputation, incredibly gracious, even-keeled, and - dare I say it - sentimental. He denounced bad behavior in the kitchen and on his show ("I will not tolerate bad language or anybody raising their voice") and insisted on being called by his first name ("Marco's my name; chef's my trade"). The one negative thing he had to say, however, was about Hell's Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay's reality cooking show. Get to know the chef when you read more.

On Hell's Kitchen and host Gordon Ramsay: I've seen nothing original about Hell's Kitchen. Gordon is allowed to conduct himself as he wishes. It's quite interesting, watching someone's legacy unravel. Of course, it would be easy to swear, to shout, to suppress people, and to cut people down. Do I want my dear children seeing that? There's a very fine line between being a bully and a protector. [But], let's not forget Gordon Ramsay is a great cook.

On what sets Chopping Block apart from the rest: I will never be a performing seal. I do not perform for a camera - I am myself. If you do reality TV, then you have a duty to put reality into TV. If you don't do that, then what you're doing is questioning your integrity. The one thing we do deliver is reality. That's what reality TV should be all about.

On his contribution to the restaurant industry: I showed people what was possible. I helped people create their dreams. I remember Heston Blumenthal on his first day in the kitchen, Mario Batali on his first day in the kitchen, Gordon Ramsay, as a little boy, coming to work for me. All I did was share my dream with them. All you can do is share your story, your philosophy.

On the organic and healthy food movement: I came from the most humble side of society. They can't afford organic. If everything was organic, what would the price of bread be? Of eggs? If you're going to question farming, then question farming on every level. Let's not forget that there are a lot of people out there who have not a lot of money.

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Happy Hour: Modmix Organic Cocktail Mixers

partysugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0800

Move over Stirrings, there's a new cocktail mixer on the market and it's made with 100 percent organic fruit juice. Meet Modmix ($9.99), the mixer for the luxury spirit. I was lucky enough to speak with one of the founders, Tricia McCracken, at the Fancy Foods Show. She explained that the mixers pair well with all types of liquor, including bubbly. For a non-alcoholic drink, she suggests diluting the mixer with sparkling water. Modmix comes in six flavors: citrus margarita, French martini, lavender lemon drop, mojito, pomegranate cosmopolitan, and wasabi bloody Mary. Unlike most mixers, Modmix is neither too artificial or too sweet - they taste surprisingly like fresh juice. I loved the French martini, a subtle blend of pineapple juice with a vibrant raspberry color, and the wasabi bloody Mary, a thick tomato juice that packs a spicy punch. The best thing about Modmix is that they have a very pure, intense, authentic fruit flavor. Have you tried Modmix? Did you think it was a step above other cocktail mixers?

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Oprah Winfrey vs. Organic Blue Corn Chips

partysugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:00:06 -0800

In December Oprah Winfrey publicized her weight gain, admitting that she's put on 40 pounds in the past couple of months. Among other things, the powerful talk show host is blaming organic, multigrain blue chips for packing on the pounds.

"My drug of choice used to be potato chips," she said. "Now this year, it was organic, multigrain blue chips - but a bag of them. So you eat a bag of those a day and see what happens if you're not working out." While Oprah's endorsements are normally positive, the people behind her favorite brand of blue tortilla chips - Hain Celestial's Garden of Eatin' - aren't jumping up and down for joy. In a statement, a spokesperson for Hain Celestial, "gently suggested that Ms. Winfrey try the single serving size."

However, Oprah's already moved on from blue chips claiming that she'll now eat sweet potatoes instead. Only time will tell whether the sales of either will be impacted by Oprah's extraordinary influence.

One thing's for sure: If Oprah were to attack the already-struggling organics industry, it might be a blow too big for them to overcome. What do you think about the matter? Does Oprah's opinion of a certain food affect your decision to eat it?

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