YumSugar

Coke Testing 100-Flavor Soda Fountains

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:00:39 -0700

Good news for you soda fountain lovers: Coca-Cola plans to introduce a machine that dispenses 100 flavors.

The new unit, which will reportedly have a beta launch in early 2009, will remain the same size as an eight-valve soda machine by using highly concentrated ingredients to store more beverages. According to the company, switching in a new drink for the 100-flavor units will be "as easy as changing a print cartridge."

This could take an indecisive fountain drinker's soda-mixing habits to the extreme, or it could have zero impact on a diehard Diet Coke drinker. What do you think of this technology? Is it cool, or does it make a mundane thing unnecessarily complicated?

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SodaStream Soda Maker: Worth Gushing About?

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:00:12 -0700

I have a confession to make: if I didn't worry about what my friends and family would say to me, I'd probably drink soda all day, every day - I love it that much. So when I got my hands on SodaStream's Soda Maker, a SkyMall-like contraption that claims to "turn tap water into sparkling water in three seconds," I knew I'd be in for some fizzy fun.According to Soda-Club, the company behind the machine, the SodaStream is more convenient (since you make soda instantly at home) than buying soda, less troublesome (no need to lug soda bottles), healthier (no high-fructose corn syrup), economically sensible, and better for the environment. Did the soda maker stand up to its claims? Find out when you read more.

I received a starter kit ($99.99) with a Fountain Jet Home Soda Maker, a 110-liter carbonator, two carbonating bottles, and an assortment of diet soda flavors and sparkling water essences. Following instructions, I assembled the machine, which requires no electricity, in under 10 minutes. To make soda, you fill a carbonating bottle with water, screw it into the machine, press a button four times to create fizz, and pour in some flavoring.

The soda machine is certainly easy to use, less troublesome to transport, and better for the environment. After the initial cost for the machine, a cup of soda will set you back less than $0.10. As far as taste, however, this is no match for store-bought soda.

The pop flavors (which included diet cola, diet grapefruit, diet cranberry-raspberry, and diet root beer) taste artificial with an odd aftertaste, and the bubbles aren't as fine or long-lasting as canned or bottled soda. "It's like Italian soda meets Crystal Light," a friend lamented. The flavored fruit essence drops taste even less natural. The soda bottles, despite being BPA-free, aren't dishwasher-safe.

If you're a heavy club soda drinker, or frequently make Italian sodas with traditional syrups, then this machine would actually be a good investment for you. But if you're a regular canned Coke drinker, the soda system's syrupy flavors won't likely be the replacement you're hoping for. Have you ever tried SodaStream? Did you come to the same conclusions about it?

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'Wich of the Week: Old-School Club

YumSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:15:08 -0700

Club sandwiches are so ubiquitous that I usually take them for granted. I order them very occasionally, maybe from hotel room service or when I'm looking for a "healthy" option at a diner. But every time I eat a good one - when the bread is only lightly browned and there's just enough mayo to balance out the crispy bacon - I realize that the club sandwich deserves more credit.

The club is actually one of the oldest original American sandwiches, invented sometime around the 1890s. Originally, club sandwiches were single decker and usually made with chicken instead of turkey. So for this 'Wich of the Week, I went in search of an authentic old-school club and found the object of my affection at St. Francis Fountain, an 80-year-old diner and soda fountain in San Francisco. For more details and my recipe, read more.

It was a beautiful day, so I got to sit outside and enjoy my somewhat heavy lunch: a deliciously overstuffed club, a chocolate malt, and a salad for good measure. The best thing about a single-decker club is that by getting rid of the third piece of bread, you can go heavy on the other ingredients to create a much moister sandwich. St. Francis Fountain's club had the ideal ratio of crunchy bacon to juicy chicken; the shredded lettuce added a great texture, and the bread was perfectly toasted and just lightly buttered.

My only gripe is that there was a bit more mayo than I would have liked, so I've reduced the amount in my recipe below. How do you like your club? Do you think this classic sandwich is overrated or underappreciated? Tell me in the comments.

Old-School Club Sandwich
Inspired by the chicken club at St. Francis Fountain

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, grilled or roasted and thinly sliced
8 slices of thick-cut bacon, fried crisp and drained
1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
6 slices of tomato, medium thickness
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
4 slices of whole wheat bread, toasted until just lightly browned

Directions

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on two pieces of the toast.
Divide the chicken slices between the two sandwiches and lay atop the mayo.
Place four slices of bacon on each sandwich, followed by three tomato slices.
Balance a handful of the shredded iceberg lettuce on top of the tomatoes.
Spread a thin layer of mayo on the other two pieces of toast, and press the mayo side down to assemble.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

Print recipe with images | without images

7 Sophisticated Ice Cream Sundaes

YumSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:00:27 -0700

On this day in 1881, the ice cream sundae was invented by a soda fountain operator in Two Rivers, WI. In honor of the occasion, I've found seven grown-up versions of the childhood favorite. Some are simply gourmet, while others use adults-only ingredients. But don't worry: None of them will cost you $60,000. To get your mouth watering, click "start."

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All the News That's Fit to Eat - March 21

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:53:19 -0700

Sayonara bottled water, free carafes of tap water, still or jazzed up by a soda-fountain style carbonating machine, is all the rage. It's free and helps with the whole sustainability movement. As the folks at Chez Panisse said, "shipping bottles of water from Italy doesn't make sense." - San Francisco Chronicle
Looks like Julia may have been wrong, you don't have to use good wine to come up with some great results. Speaking of wine, the Navarre region of Spain has been producing some notable wines. - New York Times
To some spring time means fresh asparagus, to New Englanders, it means fresh maple syrup.- Boston Globe
So you bought a whole fish, now what? Well, you've definitely got choices, here's one fish, five ways. Plus don't miss out on these bartender tricks you can do at home.- LA Times

Mario Batali is a busy man, he's got a new upcoming Spanish television show, and yet Mario still has time for his fans. - Chicago Tribune
Since everyone seems to be pressed for time these days, these helpful no-cook pasta sauces will definitely hit the spot. - Houston Chronicle
And finally, the Washington Post has revamped their food section. Unfortunately, you'll still need a login to check it all out. - Washington Post