Portable Hot Joe…and More?

by Erik Olsen on


What will they think of next?

Wolfgang Puck is marketing a new

self-heating can of coffee that could change the way we look at our daily cup of Joe. Rather than spend a few
minutes making coffee in a traditional coffee-maker, the can has a self-heating technology embedded inside that heats
the coffee to a pleasant 145 degrees in six to eight minutes, easily the time it takes to dump coffee into a filter,
add water and wait as the magic morning elixir is made.

The technology was developed by a California company named OnTech, and took seven
years and $24 million to create. It works when water flows into a sealed inner cone filled with quicklime, and a
chemical reaction heats the coffee.

For coffee-mad campers, this could be a great solution. Of course, you’d have to deal with carrying out the empties,
so maybe this is more of a car-camping thing, but I can see lots of uses for this technology including portable stews,
soups and, meals. And why stop there? What about for showers and hot tubs as well?

One Experience With Yerba Maté

by Erik Olsen on

I want to talk for just a moment about
yerba maté.

A few years ago, I was trekking through Argentina and got stuck on the Peninsula Valdez. I’d been walking alone along
the peninsular coast for about 7 miles, scrabbling over rocky beaches and kicking through the sand, when the tide came
in and cut off my exit. It was already late in the day and I knew I didn’t want to have to camp that night without a
tent or sleeping bag. So I headed into the interior of the peninsula and proceeded to get lost. I soon ran out of
water, and wondered for the first time in my life as if I might actually die of thirst.

Then, as often seems to happen in the most dire circumstances, I was saved. I ran into a couple of laid-back Argentine
dudes camping on the peninsula. They were stoned out of their minds, but totally cool and they invited me to sit for
mate. I was so thirsty, the last thing I felt like was hot yerba tea. But that’s all they had so I sat down with them
for a drink. Here’s the thing: It was one of the most refreshing things I have ever consumed. I have no idea if it was
the fact I was so thirsty or if mate itself has certain qualities that make it so refreshing, but after just a few
sips, I felt completely rejuvenated. Amazing.

There is a whole culture associated with yerba maté. The way it is made, the way it is passed around and
consumed…there are rules to the way it is done. I won’t get into them here, which would be kind of senseless anyway
since the rules differ a bit from place to place, but suffice it to say yerba maté is an interesting drink, both oddly
refreshing and culturally complex. And hey, that my story about mate.

Making Beer in a Coffee Pot

by Adrienne Wilson on

I confess the smell let alone the taste of beer and coffee turn my stomach some kind of sour. 
I’ve never been a fan.  Shudders.  Anywho, for those of you that
do like your fresh morning roast and your cool evening brew the folks at
Horsefeather’s Restaurant Blog have
a great blog on how to brew your beer in a coffee pot.  The directions almost seem like a high-school science
project which was also one of my least favorite subjects in school. 

All-in-all, Horsefeather’s has got to be one of the neatest restaurants actually blogging
that I’ve seen to date.  Though most of it concerns foods and small chat amongst local New Hampshire folk
much of the blog’s mission focus’ on making Horsefeather’s Restaurant the ‘greatest neighborhood eatery in the
known universe.’  I’d say it’s working and though I’m not that curious about the coffee or the beer brewing, I’d
certainly make a trip their way.

Awesome Australian Food Facts

by Adrienne Wilson on

The Food Network has a great deal of subjects
concerning mostly food (duh) and my goal was to
find out about a cuisine well, I guess I should know, but know nothing
about.  Something juicy and interesting that maybe even a few others know nothing about.  Suppose that would
make Australian dining for me as I haven’t been down under yet and can’t quite imagine what the foods might
taste like.  It’s going to sound really lame when I mention this, but I didn’t really
think you could eat kangaroo’s or that it tastes like a cross between venison and beef.  Or that
most of the ingredients in foods are inspired a lot by nearby Asia.  Other facts include notes on tipping, beers,
and ketchup.

The Food Network also has some spectacular gourmet recipes though they seem a bit difficult for
the average-Joe to take on.  For instance, take a glance at the
‘Chile Rubbed Rare Ostrich with
Black Bean-Corn Succotash in Ginger-Orange Syrup.’  Sounds like something to experience, but I
wouldn’t be the one attempting to create that dish.  If some is brave enough, please be sure to let me know.

Sniffing Out San Fran’s Farmer’s Market

by Adrienne Wilson on

The Ferry Building Marketplace has got to be one of the best farmer’s markets across the globe. 
What started as some quick reading on the gourmet paradise at
Go
World Travel quickly turned into non-stop clicking at the actual
Ferry Building Marketplace site.  If you’re
looking for an inexpensive way to eat in the pricey city this will definitely fit your bill.  And you won’t have
to go hand plucking your meal either if you want something on the go.  Cruise through the many sit down and eats
like Marketbar, Slanted Door, or Taylor’s Refresher.  Being that it is the market though I’m sure you’ll be beyond
tempted to grab some kind of organic veggie or fruit.  Healthy and delicious!  Yummmmmmy.