Tim Tam Slam How-To

One of my very favorite cookies is the Tim Tam, an exceptionally popular Australian cookie that consists of a chocolate mousse sandwiched between two chocolate wafer biscuits and dunked in a thin layer of chocolate. The cookies come in all kinds of flavors – from mint to caramel to dulce de leche – but the overall structure remains the same. These cookies have just become available in the US (previously only available at $$ import stores) thanks to a new release from Pepperidge Farms.

The best thing to do with a Tim Tam is the Tim Tam Slam – and now that we can access them here in the US on a regular basis, it’s a good skill to learn because it is the absolute best way to enjoy a Tim Tam. All you do is bite off opposite corners of the cookie, then insert one end into a cup of hot coffee and suck the coffee up through the cookie. The hot liquid travels up through the filling – creating a mouthful of mocha – and soaks up into the biscuits, while the chocolate holds everything together. It’s good for one big sip, then you need to eat the cookie quickly before it falls apart in your hand, instead of your mouth.

Pretty close to heaven in one bite.

Coffee Pot Christmas Ornament

There are two schools of Christmas tree decorating. One calls for an elegant tree, with one type or one color of ornament to give it a uniform look. The other calls for a more personal touch, using ornaments of every shape and style, and an emphasis on those that have a special meaning. This could include “Baby’s First Christmas,” Santa at the bbq as a tribute to a dad or something like this adorable little coffee pot Christmas ornament, which brings in a very personal aspect if you’re a big coffee drinker.

This ornament would make a cute gift on its own and would be an especially nice addition to a pound or two of your favorite coffee. Or, you could just sneak it into the stocking of your favorite coffee drinker and suggest that it might be a hint that Santa is interested in having coffee left out with his cookies next year, instead of milk.

Trader Joe’s Organic Cranberry Green Tea, reviewed

Green tea can have such a mild flavor on its own that is easy to layer other flavors on top of it. This is probably why it is used as the base in Trader Joe’s  Organic Cranberry Green Tea, as the added flavors – all natural ingredients – are. The tea is flavored with hibiscus flowers, cardamom, lemongrass, cinnamon, apple, star anise, rosehips, clove and cranberries. It takes on a pinkish hue when brewed and has a very floral scent, almost perfumy. The fruity flavors aren’t strong, but they do add a nice hint of sweetness to balance the floral notes.

One really nice feature of this tea, in addition to the fact that it is organic, is that the pyramidal tea bags are biodegradable. Unfortunately, the bags are also individually packaged in plastic wrappers and the box is very oversized for the number of bags included. Still, the tea is very good, but the over-packaging takes some of the glow away from the the eco-friendly elements of the product.

Starbucks is (Red) for the holidays

While a lot of Starbucks fans eagerly look forward to holiday favorites like the eggnog latte, there is something else to look forward to in the company’s holiday offerings this year. A portion of the sales from company’s three promotional holiday drinks – Peppermint Mocha Twist, Gingersnap Latte and Espresso Truffle – will be going towards the Global Fund. Five cents from the sale of each of the Starbucks(Red) drinks will be donated. Today, December 1st, is World Aids Day and until the stores close tonight the program will be extended and five cents from the sale of every drink on the menu will go to the Global Fund.

The Global Fund is an organization that supports programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in over 100 countries around the world and is currently working to raise awareness of – and ultimately eliminate – AIDS in Africa. The (Red) program works to raise awareness and financial support for the Global Fund. It organizes the Product(Red) program that lets companies, including Starbucks, The Gap and other retailers, show their support, bring the Fund into the public eye and raise money for the charity.

Are triangular tea bags better?

Some high-end tea companies began to stray from the standard tea bag years ago, using pyramidal tea bags in place of flat, rectangular “pillow” bags. At first, it seemed as though this packaging was simply a way to stand out from the crowd and charge a bit more to consumers. Now, more and more tea companies are switching to this design. Is there a benefit beyond looks?

The advantage to a pyramidal tea bag is in its structured shape. The bags are typically made of nylon (although other materials from silk to biodegradable fibers can also be used), which can be sewn shut instead of stapled or chemically heat-sealed in some way. Tea leaves are not compressed inside the bag and, when the bag is submerged in hot water, the leaves can swell, float freely and infuse maximum flavor into the water. There is less breakage of the tea leaves in these bags, reducing or eliminating the presence of tea “dust” in the bottom of the cup. To many, this also means that tea makers are not really given the option to use broken or sub-par tea leaves (whether they typically do or not) because there is no way to conceal them inside the pyramid as there is in the bag, where leaves can break easily.

In short, you are going to get a good brew with a pyramidal bag and might want to opt for one when dealing with more delicate/more expensive teas. But the traditional pillow bag is still going to perform just as well as it always has and, with good quality tea to being with, you’re still going to get a good cuppa with them.