Tag Archives: Food

The Future of Instagram-Worthy Treats is the Hawaiian Mochi Donut

2013: The Year of the Cronut
2014: The Year of the Cookie Shot
2015: The Year of the Mega Milkshakes
2020: The Year of the Hawaiian Mochi Donut
The past decade has seen a variety of unique, fun dessert trends (not all of which were started by Dominique Ansel) take over different food scenes across the country. Not only have all of these desserts become massively popular food items, causing eager patrons to stand in line for a fleeting taste of these stunning and tasty treats, they’ve also become internet sensations, leaping off the screen with bright colors and visible textures.

Now, it’s time for the Hawaiian Mochi Donut to shine.
Get to know this unique treat:

Mochi Foods Hawaiian Mochi Donuts are made with a glutinous rice flour that gives an extra chewiness to each bite. The Hawaiian Mochi Donut is made with a premixed powder that was created through tireless efforts to find the perfect rice flour. The flour was chosen based on taste and that wonderful chewy texture on the inside and crispy exterior that produces a truly toothsome treat. All of the Mochi Foods Hawaii products have a unique mochi taste and Q texture that were developed by an acclaimed Taiwanese food scientist team. The “Q” factor is Taiwan’s version of the Italian “al dente,” representing the perfectly calibrated “mouth feel,” sought after and craved by savvy chefs and diners alike. The flavor? Well, that’s where you come in; there are nearly unlimited options when it comes to adding flavors and other textures to your Hawaiian Mochi Donuts by Mochi Foods.

When restaurants and bakeries become part of the Mochi Foods ‘ohana (family), they don’t just receive a bag of premix; they receive support, ideas, and collaboration — a true partnership, with Mochi Foods owner Pei Wu. In addition to this quality product she provides product knowledge and consulting services to help create the perfect products for your customers, as well as assistance with selecting and ordering any necessary equipment, and more.

“I really like to work with chefs to create different ideas. The most fun part of this whole business is supporting chefs as they get the spark to create their own donuts; the sky’s the limit with our premixes,” Wu said.
Here’s something to chew on…

According to Candy & Snack Today, a trade publication by the National Confectioners Association, there are a variety of food trends for 2020 that Hawaiian Mochi Donuts hit the mark on:

“Other” flours: “Seasoned and amateur bakers are looking for creative ingredients and an array of interesting flours…to entice the adventurous.” Our rice flour may not seem exotic, but the way that we use it certainly is.

Texture is also coming into focus for diners. The trade report mentions that “Innova reports 45 percent of US and U.K. consumers are influenced by texture when making purchases, while 68 percent are of the opinion that texture contributes to a more interesting experience.” When customers bite into a Hawaiian Mochi Donut, they get both crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

Because the premix is highly customizable, individual restaurants and bakers can also add their own flare, opening up the product to incorporate other trending ingredients. Items mentioned in the report that would go great with Hawaiian Mochi Donuts include Kona coffee (another wonderful Hawaiian product), unusual butters (made with pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, etc), and complex sugars that rely on natural sweetness (think glazes made from sweet potatoes).

Mochi Foods premixes can be used to make a wide variety of products including: bread, donuts, waffles, pancakes, hamburger buns, churros, and so much more. They make great additions to bakeries, restaurants, and food trucks. They’re wonderful as desserts and snacks and make a fun addition to any brunch service.

You’re only limited by how far your imagination… and Hawaiian Mochi Donut dough… will stretch.

Mochi-based desserts and pastries are not over-the-top or hard to prepare (unless you want them to be). They are highly customizable and appeal to a wide variety of people. Americans aren’t unfamiliar with desserts and snacks with Asian ingredients and techniques. The Hong Kong-style egg waffle and Thai rolled ice cream have both had their moments in the past few years.

“The Hawaiian Mochi Donut is a treat that visitors and locals alike have developed a passion for. Hawaii is the place in the middle of the Pacific where East meets West. It’s easy for lots of different people to fall in love with the food that comes from Hawaii, and Hawaiian Mochi Donuts are no exception,” Wu said.

Use Mochi Foods products to:

Breathe new life into an aging menu

Appeal to new customers by offering the next big thing

Be inclusive of customers with dietary restrictions

Create visually stunning treats that not only taste good, but create excitement and demand

Mochi Foods Hawaiian Mochi Donuts are currently being served at locations in 13 states in the US, as well as some international locations. Stores are popping up to serve their own versions of the treat, snacks that are both sweet and savory. At Mochill in San Francisco they’re topping donuts with Fruity Pebbles and Kinako (a soybean powder popular in Japan). At King’s Hawaiian in Torrance, CA they’re serving up a traditional Hawaiian loco moco using a mochi donut to replace the rice. At Fat Straws Bubble Tea Co. in Richardson, TX their “Chewy Puff Donuts” include cookies and cream and strawberry flavors. At Liliha Bakery in Honolulu their poi donuts are just as popular as their famous coco puffs.

Mochi Foods has premixes available for donuts, waffles, bread, and pancakes. In addition, there is a gluten-free option that won the Monde Select Gold Award in 2019.

For more information click here

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Culpeper Harvest Days 2020

Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 AM to Sunday, September 20 at 4:00 PM
Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises Inc., 10220 James Monroe Hwy, Culpeper, VA 22701

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and taste of Culpeper County on farms in the beautiful Blue Ridge foothills. The event provides a wonderful educational experience and includes an array of hands on activities and demonstrations. There are a variety of farms and ag-related businesses on this year’s tour. Those participating reflect our agricultural heritage and the millions of dollars in production, wages, and salaries generated by the agricultural industry in our county and state.

The tour, a self-guided driving experience, can be started at any of the participating farms. Brochures will be available at all of the participating farms. Farm Tour t-shirts will be available for purchase on a limited basis at the Welcome Center, located off of Rt. 29.

Be sure to bring your still and video camera to capture the moments! Food and drink are available at various farms. In addition, specific activities at the farms have designated times, please check the site activities listed under each farm individually.

**The Farm Tour will take place rain or shine. Please be advised, some activities and individual farms may be closed as a result of inclement weather.

For more information click here

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Parrano Cheese

Parrano is an unforgettable cheese with a distinctly Italian temperament. It has the alluring nutty flavor and buttery aroma of a fine aged Parmesan with the smooth creamy texture of a young Dutch Gouda. Aged to perfection, Parrano is perfect as a snack, on its own, or added to any of your favorite recipes.

For more information click here

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Forget Dieting by Candice Rosen

Temporary Isolation Can Be The Opportunity To Permanently Transform Your Weight And Health

Los Angeles, CA, May 18, 2020 ̶ Not sure how to eat and stay healthy this quarantine season without resorting to your familiar diet of spaghetti, bread, pizza, and sugar? Candice Rosen, R.N., MSW, and author of the upcoming book Forget Dieting: It’s All About Data-Driven Fueling! encourages “trophology,” or “food combining,” which is one of the foundations of Rosen’s Data-Driven Fueling Plan. As you combine foods, Rosen adds that “monitoring blood glucose is the key to weight gain vs. weight loss; good health vs. poor health.”

1. Make Wednesdays and Fridays Vegan Days. According to Rosen, avoid dairy! Try vegan yogurts, cheeses, and milks. Dairy is inflammatory and will deplete your bones of calcium (it’s true!). There are unsweetened milks of almond, hemp, cashew, etc., and all are available in grocery stores. A low blood glucose breakfast idea would be a sprouted grain English muffin, spread with a tofu or nut-based cream cheese, some sliced tomatoes, and topped off with sea salt or Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.

2. Eat fruits that are high in fiber. Apples, bananas, oranges, berries ̶ the list goes on! You will still want to avoid sugary fruit juices, as well as very sweet fruits like pineapples and mangos while trying to lose weight. Fruit is always eaten alone with two exceptions: they can be added to a vegan smoothie and they can be eaten with a nut or seed butter. These healthy fats reduce the chance of a blood glucose spike.

3. Nothing white. To lower blood glucose, do not eat or combine animal proteins with any white potatoes, bread, rice, or pasta… EVER. Sorry!

4. Eat More Sweet Potatoes. Think wholesome, nutritious, responsibly grown, pancreatic-friendly foods (food that doesn’t raise your blood glucose) like sweet potatoes and yams, which are an incredibly nutritious carbohydrate that are low in sugar levels and provide fiber. They’re best consumed baked or steamed, but can also be cooked in a variety of other ways. A great lunch or dinner option (and it is inexpensive) is a baked sweet potato, split down the middle with a large spoonful of black beans, a tablespoon of tomatillo salsa, and a side salad. To lower blood sugar, eat them with veggies and plant-based protein together… NOT MEAT!

5. Try Fish. Give your body a break from animal protein. Red meats increase inflammation and provide poor sources of fat. However, if you crave protein, try fish! For those who aren’t allergic, fish is a fantastic source of protein that’s low in carbohydrates and contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, one of the few consumable healthy fats! If consuming fish raw, remember only sashimi-style – no white rice! To lower blood sugar, combine fish with veggies, not starches or fruit.

About the author:

Candice P. Rosen, RN, MSW, CHC, is a registered nurse based in Los Angeles, CA. As the founding member of Gilda’s Club Chicago and its first executive director and program director, she created and coordinated a diverse array of wellness-related programs. She was appointed by Mayor Richard Daley to serve as Chair of Healthcare Initiatives for Chicago’s Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP). CSCIP provided an opportunity to advocate for preventive medicine, improve maternal and infant healthcare, stress disability access, promote nourishing diets, and bring awareness to the obesity and diabetes epidemics that now affect populations on a global level. She is married and the mother of four adult children and grandmother to a precious granddaughter. For more information on Candice, please visit https://candicerosenrn.com.

Forget Dieting: It’s All About Data-Driven Fueling!
Rowman and Littlefield
Release Date: July 2020
Hardcover / $30
ISBN: 978-1-5381-3149-7

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Therapy in a Bottle

Bimble is a great tasting, all natural, preservative-free, sparkling beverage, containing 25mg of THC-free, broad spectrum hemp extract. A nod to the founder’s beekeeping practice, Bimble is made with a touch of sustainably sourced, Vermont honey, which helps to balance out the hemp. Additionally, at 25mg of hemp extract per serving, Bimble contains more cannabinoids than many other drinks on the market so you actually feel a difference and contains CBN, considered the most relaxing cannabinoid.

Jay Moskowitz, Bimble’s founder, left his high-pressure career on Wall Street to become a beekeeper in Vermont which led him to create this sophisticated and thoughtful CBD beverage that provides a safer remedy to life’s stressors, while supporting the vital beekeeping community which he is a part of and helps power Bimble.

Bimble is available in two different flavors: Grapefruit Basil Mint and Blueberry Lemon Ginger. Its SRP is $5.99 per 12 oz. bottle and also comes in packs of six for $39.99 and 12 packs for $74.99. Bimble can be found in select retailers and is available nationally at drinkbimble.com, to be delivered straight to your door!

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Pantry Staples

If you are looking for pantry staples that will satisfy just about the every family member, the Mighty Sesame Co. and Wissotzky Tea come to the rescue. Both brands have stepped up to the “ho-hum” plate with shelf-stable products you can use to add variety and versatility to your daily routine.

Consider today’s tahini trend. At a time when hummus is the new “it” food – seriously, who could have predicted a Snickerdoodle hummus revolution? – consumers are excited about tahini, the smooth sesame paste that’s so essential to traditional Middle Eastern hummus.

The healthy-minded people at Mighty Sesame Co. know a thing or two about tahini. In a recent taste test of 18 tahini brands on the market, no less an authority than Epicurious anointed Mighty Sesame Tahini The Best Tahini You Can Buy. They praised the clean, delicious taste and smooth texture that make it “a great tahini to use for anything and everything,” and applauded the no-stir convenience of the squeeze bottle.

So, think of Mighty Sesame Tahini as a game-changer for sandwiches, marinades, dips, baked goods, desserts, salads, and even cocktails. Use it in soups or drizzle it over meat and fish. Why not start a hummus revolution of your own? Just let your imagination take the reins. (MSRP $_5.99_per 10.9 oz. bottle.)

Mighty Sesame has also made a splash for snackers with three varieties of all-natural tahini bars – Pistachio, Cocoa Nibs, and Vanilla – each at only 100 calories per bar. Like their squeezable cousins, these addictive grab-and-go treats promise a premium-quality product that is gluten- and dairy-free, vegan, kosher, halal, non-GMO, 100% guilt-free, and delicious. It all adds up to a healthy and exciting change of pace for the back-to-school days ahead. (MSRP: $3.99 per box of 6 individually wrapped 0.63 oz. bars.)

Face it: tea is an elixir for the blues and good times alike. Nothing says ‘cozy’ like a good cup of hot tea. And nothing says ‘summer’ like a tall glass of sweet tea with plenty of ice. Wissotzky Tea Company has dozens of varieties of teas to satisfy any mood on every occasion. Its Artisan Spiced Tea collection artfully pairs hand-selected premium black tea leaves with market spices, herbs, and other natural ingredients. Serve Salted Caramel Chai, Ginger and Turmeric, Spiced Nana Mint, Pumpkin Spiced Chai – or any of Wissotzky’s premium teas and infusions – hot or iced. Now you can indulge in a trip around the world without leaving home. (MSRP $3.99 Nana Mint; $4.99 Chai)

Mighty Sesame brand products and Wissotzky teas are distributed by Kayco, the top purveyor of kosher foods in America. They are available at Whole Foods, Publix, Walmart, supermarkets and independent and kosher food stores across the U.S. and on AMAZON.

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BeeKonscious Artisanal Honey

Denver-based Purveyor of Raw, Single-Origin Honey Launches Website

Denver, CO – Denver-based startup Bee K’onscious Artisanal Honey is now offering its nutritious raw honey online at https://bkshoney.com/. Each jar of Bee K’onscious’s single-origin honey is sourced from the finest beekeepers around the world, with a QR-coded label that allows customers to scan and trace the honey to the single beekeeper who produced it. The “hive to home” honey brand has partnered with TagOne, a provider of blockchain technology, to provide customers the ability to ensure the source of the jar is producing 100% pure, unfiltered, unpasteurized, non-blended honey.

“Many people enjoy high quality honey, not only as an alternative sweetener, but for its natural antibacterial qualities and disease-fighting antioxidants. What consumers don’t know is that many mass-produced supermarket honeys are cooked and, thereby, lose their nutritional value,” says Bee K’onscious owner Matt Kollmorgen. “Every jar of Bee K’onscious is raw, unadulterated and uncooked and retains all the good stuff your body needs to fight disease.”

Bee K’onscious currently offers four varietals: Brazilian Cipo Uva, Brazilian Marmeleiro Prateado, Montana Clover and a much sought-after California Sage. The selection of unique honeys will continue to expand as the Bee K’onscious team continues to search the globe for beekeepers that have integrated best practices. Bee K’onscious Artisanal Honey retails for $18 per jar.

Bee K’onscious only partners with beekeepers that maintain ethical and sustainable beekeeping practices. The company is also committed to packaging their honey in glass jars and shipping to customers using only recyclable, corrugated packaging.

For more information click here

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Drinkmate At-Home Carbonator

Create sparkling drinks anywhere! The Drinkmate Spritzer is portable – use it outdoors or at home … it can even fit in a kitchen drawer. Use it at picnics, BBQs, or tailgate events. The available countertop stand makes it easy to use in the kitchen, too!

For more information click here

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Bacon Jam in the midst of COVID-19

In the midst of COVID-19, what can you eat? Try this protein-packed shelf-stabled meat product that you can keep in the pantry. TBJ Gourmet’s Bacon Jam will help you forget that you’re on house arrest.

There hasn’t existed a better time to save our planet.

From their trendsetting ‘Bacon Jams’ to their globally-inspired spreads and condiments, TBJ enhances everyone’s recipes. The world can stock up on their latest shelf-stable meat product, now, in the midst of COVID-19, and not worry about the meat staying fresh!

For more information click here

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ArtRave ART MEETS FASHION in Washington

Saturday, December 28 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
ArtRave 1514 -1518 P St NW Washington

ARTRAVE ART MEETS FASHION

ArtRave an art and fashion collective operating in DC, supporting artists locally will be kicking off its 9th annual ensemble of both emerging and established artists, designers, handmade crafts, unusual finds & now the addition of farm fresh products, hot & cold menus, gourmet products & a test kitchen free sample area.

Categories: Kids & Family | Festivals | Art Galleries & Exhibits

This event repeats weekly on Saturdays until Dec 28, 2019: Dec 28

For more information click here

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Mighty Sesame Squeezable Tahini

Recently, a food journalist/influencer wrote about Mighty Sesame Tahini Dressings in squeezable bottles. The verdict: “I was ecstatic,” said the hummus lover enthusiastically. “Tahini you don’t have to mix is a game-changer.”

That got the people at The Mighty Sesame Company thinking. With the Super Bowl right around the corner, squeezable tahini is an MVP when it comes to making any party easier, tastier, and healthier. After all, unlike other brands, Mighty Sesame doesn’t separate, so it’s always perfectly blended and ready to use. No mixing, no stirring, no problem!

American foodies know there’s a tahini revolution afoot. The creamy, decadent condiment usually takes center stage in Middle Eastern dishes like hummus and falafel. But in fact, it’s perfectly at home in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

We recently spoke to Vicky Cohen and Ruth Fox, authors of the popular cookbook Tahini and Turmeric, and asked why tahini is such a great ingredient to work with? They told us, “One of the things we love the most about tahini, besides its incredibly addicting nutty flavor, is its versatility. It can be used in sweet and savory applications. Besides using it to make hummus, tahini is great in salad dressings, as a sauce for sandwiches or tacos, or simply spread over toast with your favorite jam or date syrup!

Tahini also adds fabulous flavor to cookies, cakes, shakes, bars, mousses, and even granola. The possibilities are endless!” (Cohen and Fox are the authors of Tahini & Turmeric, 101Middle Eastern Classics Made Irresistibly Vegan and Founders of the Blog Mayihavethatrecipe.com).

And that’s where Mighty Sesame comes into play at your Super Bowl party. This year, kick off the fun with tahini dips like Sweet ‘n Sour Tahini sauce served with crunchy cauliflower , then score with halftime soups and salads such as Cucumber salad with Miso-Tahini dressing, Marinated entrees like Fish Tacos with Tahini and Siracha, or Chicken Breast Baguette Hero sandwich drizzled with Tahini are sure to be tahini touchdowns. Extra points, of course, for tahini-based desserts like Tahini-walnut brownies or Tahini cookies.

Best of all, tahini is a superfood. Made from one ingredient, 100% roasted sesame seeds, Mighty Sesame Tahini is loaded with plant-based protein, calcium and other vitamins and minerals. All varieties (Original fine and Whole seed) are, vegan, gluten- and dairy-free, kosher, and halal.

Find squeezable tahini and other Mighty Sesame products at Walmart, Whole Foods, Wegmans, and other retail outlets. They are distributed by Kayco, the top purveyor of kosher foods in America.

For more information click here

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Bubbly and Oysters

Saturday, December 28 at 7:00 PM
City Winery, 1350 OKIE ST NE, WASHINGTON , DC

With New Year’s right around the corner, it’s time for some bubbly! Join City Winery DC as they pair select champagne and sparkling wines with oysters. What a delicious treat!

For more information click here

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