YumSugar

Baskin Robbins' Pints Don't Add Up

YumSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 07:59:31 -0700

When you purchase a pint of ice cream, you expect to receive a pint, right? Somehow the folks that pack the "hand packed pints" at Baskin Robbins didn't realize that. In an investigation of 416 pints, approximately 83% of their hand packed pints have been coming up short - with an an average of 4 oz (that's 25%!). Needless to say, savvy customers realized it and started to complain and Baskin Robbins was eventually slapped with a consumer protection lawsuit. The suit has been settled with the San Diego Attorney General and Baskin Robbins has been ordered to pay a total of $491,000 to the state. As of now, they are no longer offering the pint, but will continue to offer 12-ounce pre-packed containers.

Source: Trendhunter and NBC San Diego

Half Pint Creamer: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:00:21 -0700

Coffee with cream gets cheeky with this clear glass Half Pint Creamer ($15). It's molded to look like a cardboard carton of half-and-half but with a more sophisticated effect. Would you give it a pour?

YumSugar Gift Guide: Bonkers for Brewski

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:27:19 -0800

If you've got a brewski buddy or homebrewer on your holiday list, give them a gift that will allow them to revel in their love for beer. If they're not yet making their own brew, get them a Mr. Beer Micro-Brewery Kit. If they're already a master brewer, get them a beer tasting kit. It comes with 13 different kind of hops for them to discover and identify. If your beer lover is still in the early stages of their beer love, get them a set of engaging pint glasses.

For more great gift ideas, scroll through the options below.

HopHead Tee ($9.99)	Famous Beer Pint Glasses (Set of 4, $11.96)
Brewmaster Board Game ($19.90)	Beer Tasting Kit ($49)
Mr. Beer Micro-Brewery Beer Making Kit ($49.95)	Monogrammed Beer Mugs (Set of 4, $59)

Yummy Links: Cheater Pints to Sunchokes

partysugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 07:45:44 -0700

Beer drinkers beware of cheater pints. - Chow
Chef Eric Ripert invites you to host a seasonal dinner party. - Serious Eats
Learn how to make homemade tofu. - U Handbag
Why you need a cake cover. - Baking Bites
Halloween recipes so good, it's scary! - Epicurious
Jerusalem artichokes, also known as sunchokes, are in season. - The Kitchn

Source

Ben & Jerry's Renames Flavor in Honor of Gay Marriage

YumSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:45:17 -0700

Beginning today, a Vermont law recognizing gay marriage goes into effect - and, to celebrate, ice cream company Ben & Jerry's is renaming popular seller "Chubby Hubby." The new name? "Hubby Hubby."

While Ben & Jerry's isn't changing the labels on "Chubby Hubby" pints sold in stores - revising product labels takes 18 months - a wedding-themed truck will hand out free "Hubby Hubby" ice cream across the state today, including at the Vermont capitol. The creamery's six in-state ice cream parlors will also sell limited-edition "Hubby Hubby" sundaes during the month of September.

Still, the company, which has been known to rename its ice cream flavors after liberal causes, hasn't ruled out the idea of retailing "Hubby Hubby" in the future. “The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction, and something worth celebrating with peace, love - and plenty of ice cream,” Ben & Jerry’s CEO explained.

What do you think of yet another Ben & Jerry's political move? If you're motivated to buy products for reasons other than taste, would you be more likely to buy a pint if it were renamed "Hubby Hubby"?

Source

Shrunken Packaged Foods' Slow Return to Their Original Size

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:45:01 -0700

In a small indication that America may be on a slow road to economic recovery, consumer foods marketers are beginning to reintroduce larger packages at the same price. Last year, manufacturers were hit by high fuel and commodity prices, so to avoid blatantly transferring cost increases to consumers, manufacturers such as Hellman's, Tropicana, and Kellogg's quietly began downsizing packages.

Ben & Jerry's even went after the size of Haagen-Dazs in its marketing campaign, pointing out that the rival company had downsized its "pints" from 16 to 14 ounces. But recently, some consumer products, like Pringles Super Stacks, and certain bags of Frito-Lay's chips, have shot back up to their original sizes. It's unclear whether increased package sizes are going to be part of limited-time promotions or permanent reversals.

Which products have you noticed products increasing in size lately?

Ben and Jerry's vs. Haagen-Dazs: A Pint-Sized Battle

partysugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:15:05 -0700

There's been some heated public debates between competing brands. The latest two companies to join the feuding? Ice cream giants Haagen-Dazs and Ben and Jerry's. To pay for the high costs of natural and top-quality ingredients, Haagen-Dazs has reduced the size of its pints from 16 to 14 ounces. Despite the decrease in packaging, Haagen-Dazs still calls its container a "pint." Ben and Jerry's is highly offended by this "downright wrong" move, and pledged, in a statement, to provide consumers the same quantity and quality in its product:

One of our competitors (think funny-sounding European name) recently announced they will be downsizing their pints from 16 to 14 ounces to cover increased ingredient and manufacturing costs and help improve their bottom line. We understand that in today's hard economic times businesses are feeling the pinch. We also understand that many of you are also feeling the same, and think now more than ever you deserve your full pint of ice cream.

While I understand that many brands are shrinking their products, I have to side with Ben and Jerry's; it's not fair to call something a pint when it's not one. How do you feel about the debate?

Source

Would You Eat Deep Fried Pickles?

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:30:29 -0700

Fried pickles accompanied by a side of ranch dressing are a staple on many a pub's menus, so recently, I decided to give them a try at one of my favorite spots, Barclays. With their salty goodness (think salt and vinegar chips), they complemented my pint of Guinness. However, I wouldn't dare to eat an entire plate of them, it's too much sodium for my taste. Would you give this crunchy and salt-laden pub delicacy a shot?

The Future of the Pub Could Rely on Technology

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:00:39 -0700

Great Britain's pubs are in trouble. In the wake of the economic downturn, bars have been closing by the several dozen each week. So do British brewpubs have a future? One expert says yes and predicts technology could be the pub's saving grace.

Future trends analyst Ben Hourahaine tells the UK's Telegraph that, for taverns and pubs, microchips could be the wave of the future. He predicts that by 2259, when a loyal customer walks into his usual bar, a reader above the door will scan the individual's microchip, note the patron's usual order, and deduct a payment automatically. Raising another pint? That could be as easy as placing an order on one of the many touch-sensitive tables at the tavern. Buddy not able to make it? You could simulate enjoying a pint with a pal, thanks to hologram technology. Hourahaine added:

Despite significant developments in bar technology over the past 250 years, the majority of pubs have managed to retain their original character. Exciting technological innovations will only enhance the customer's experience, actively engaging them and inspiring them.

The technology may be years away, but Hourahaine has a point: Technology could be the impetus to keep certain establishments - such as neighborhood pubs - in business. What do you think of Hourahaine's prediction for the pub's future?

Source

Fast & Easy Dinner: Fish and Chips

partysugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:50:51 -0700

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day tonight, serve your family a classic pub favorite. Although fish and chips is a traditionally British dish, this recipe pairs perfectly with an Irish pint.

Large chunks of fresh fish fillets are dipped in buttermilk and coated in cornmeal. The chips are baked in the oven, resulting in potatoes that are crisp, but not overly oily. For the uncomplicated recipe, read more.

Fish and Chips
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 large russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed
Four 6-ounce sea bass or cod fillets (about 1 inch thick), skin removed
For the seasoning:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
For the coating
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon paprika
For the garnish
Lemon wedges
Malt vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven.
Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Rinse well in a large bowl of cold water, and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Transfer to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; toss well. Arrange strips in an even layer on the sheet. Bake on lower rack until golden and crisp, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, place fish fillets in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, and gently turn fish to coat.
In another shallow bowl, combine cornmeal, paprika, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add fillets to cornmeal one at a time, turning to completely coat. Transfer to a plate while repeating with remaining fillets.
Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining tablespoon of oil; swirl to coat. Add fillets, being careful not to overcrowd pan. Cook until nicely crusted, about 1 minute; turn over with a spatula.
Place skillet in top third of oven, and cook until firm but beginning to flake when pressed in the center, about 8 minutes.
Transfer to plates, and serve with potatoes. Serve lemon wedges and malt vinegar on the side.

Serves 4.

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