Petersfield, Hampshire, UK (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 — The world’s most expensive coffee has finally arrived in the UK and the high prices charged of over £50 per cup reflect its extraordinary origins.
The coffee is a mixture of traditional Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and Kopi Luwak, a bean that comes from south east Asia and is collected off the floor from the droppings of civet cats. The civet cat apparently eats the beans fresh off the plants, partly digests them, and then excretes them in the usual way. It is no surprise that this coffee is rare and costs over £350 per kilo.
We would strongly recommend a coffee machine that is able to cope with the subtle nature of these beans — a fine grind, water temperature of between 85° and 92°, and pressure in the espresso machine in excess of 15 bars would be ideal. This would ensure that every little bit of flavour and its subtlety is extracted from this precious bean.
The digestion process apparently does change the whole nature of the bean to give an entirely different perspective on coffee. Available online and from the top people’s store Peter Jones in Sloane Square, the coffee is said to be dark and very smooth.
Expert coffee maker Bill Brown from Cook Shop Group Armorica is excited about this new arrival.
“It is obviously a very different type of coffee that requires a very special preparation technique,” says Bill. “We would strongly recommend a coffee machine that is able to cope with the subtle nature of these beans — a fine grind, water temperature of between 85° and 92°, and pressure in the espresso machine in excess of 15 bars would be ideal. This would ensure that every little bit of flavour and its subtlety is extracted from this precious bean.”
At the sort of prices mentioned it is no surprise that this coffee has become a big hit with the rich and famous, a new designer label to add to the collection.
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WatchMojo NewsletterDES MOINES, Iowa, April 17 /PRNewswire/ — A recent survey of more than 1,000 chefs across the country reveals: Latin American cuisine is one of the “hottest” ethnic cuisines in 2008(1). Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that historically celebrates the defeat of the French army by the Mexicans at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, has fast become one of America’s most popular occasions for general celebration and entertaining. It is the perfect occasion to bring the dynamic flavor of Latin food to your family’s dinner table.
To help home cooks create their own Latin fanfare at home, the National Pork Board has teamed up with entertaining experts and co-authors of Latin Chic: Entertaining with Style and Sass, Carolina Buia and Isabel Gonzalez, to offer tips for Cinco de Mayo cooking and entertaining.
“Requiring little preparation, pork is the ideal menu choice for Latin cuisine because the wide arrays of cuts are versatile enough to pair with nearly every flavor,” said Buia. “For example, pork chops or tenderloins can be paired with pre-made fruit or vegetable-based salsas and spice rubs with Caribbean and Latin themes.” Pork’s role in New World cuisine dates back to 1539, when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto landed in Tampa Bay, Fla. with America’s first 13 pigs, beginning a flavorful tradition that we continue to enjoy today.
Delicioso Edible Essentials
“The secret to spicing up mealtime with Latin-style dishes is choosing simple, yet delicious dishes. Pork recipes are the perfect fit — preparation is as easy as uno, dos, tres so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family and friends,” said Gonzalez.
Buia and Gonzalez created two recipes that incorporate the spirited flavor of Mexican street-food fare and require less than 45 minutes in the kitchen:
— Velveted Pork Tacos — a unique and fun alternative to traditional
chicken or beef tacos; the self-serve style of this dish makes it the
perfect choice for feeding the family or a large crowd!
— Pork Medallions with Mirasol and Cherry Cream Sauce — not only do the
moist pork tenderloin medallions meld the piquant bite of Peruvian
Mirasol peppers with the candied hint of dried cherries, but pork
tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork with only 2.98 grams of fat per
3-ounce serving, making it as lean as a skinless chicken breast.
Serve these delicious pork dishes with grilled corn on the cob with chipotle butter or black beans garnished with cilantro.
Fixings for a Fabulous Fiesta
In addition to eating with zing, set the mood for your Latin-infused dinner by creating a fun atmosphere with these do-it-yourself decor tips from Buia and Gonzalez.
— Charming Centerpieces — For a truly special table presentation, place
several de-stemmed Hibiscus flowers in large, shallow bowls filled with
water. Hibiscus flowers are everywhere in Mexico and are often found
growing in front and back yards.
— Enjoyable Ambiance — Play some regional music and decorate with
festive lights to create the perfect Latin setting.
— Tricks and Treats — Close the night with a pinata for a truly
memorable fiesta, for adults and kids alike!
These recipes and entertaining tips are perfect for Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16) or any occasion throughout the year.
For more inspirational recipe ideas and Latin American entertaining tips, visit TheOtherWhiteMeat.com. Photography for the recipes mentioned above are available for download within the Internet Press Kit and/or upon request.
(1) National Restaurant Association. “What’s Hot, What’s Not” chef
survey, Dec. 2007 (survey addressed hot cuisine for 2008)
