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	<title>Chow Times &#187; Food Review</title>
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	<link>http://chowtimes.com</link>
	<description>Suanne and Ben&#039;s Food and Travel Adventures from Vancouver, BC</description>
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		<title>Red Espresso &#8211; Rooibos Tea Espresso</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:40:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=15984</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This came in the mail and oh yeah, its a sample for us courtesy of Red Espresso. Please note we are not paid for this blog post if that matters to any of you.

Actually there is a specific way to write the name of this unique product. It is not Red Espresso ...

<a rel="attachment wp-att-16088" href="http://chowtimes.com/?attachment_id=16088"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Red-Espresso-60" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Red-Espresso-60-400x600.jpg" alt="Red-Espresso-60" width="400" height="600" /></a>

... it is <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red</span> espresso</strong>. That is what I noticed ... they made the word "red" red all the time and spelt them all in lowercases. Weird. But smart. That's branding at its finest if you ask me.

<strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>espresso</strong> is the world's first espresso made of tea. It is made with Rooibos tea which is gaining popularity around the world and we had read about them before. So when <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>espresso</strong> asked if we would like a sample, we said sure. We were curious and wanted to see for ourselves what the fuss is all about.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This came in the mail and oh yeah, its a sample for us courtesy of Red Espresso. Please note we are not paid for this blog post if that matters to any of you.</p>
<p>Actually there is a specific way to write the name of this unique product. It is not Red Espresso &#8230;</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-16088" href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/red-espresso-60/"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Red-Espresso-60" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Red-Espresso-60-400x600.jpg" alt="Red-Espresso-60" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>&#8230; it is <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red</span> espresso</strong>. That is what I noticed &#8230; they made the word &#8220;red&#8221; red all the time and spelt them all in lowercases. Weird. But smart. That&#8217;s branding at its finest if you ask me.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>espresso</strong> is the world&#8217;s first espresso made of tea. It is made with Rooibos tea which is gaining popularity around the world and we had read about them before. So when <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>espresso</strong> asked if we would like a sample, we said sure. We were curious and wanted to see for ourselves what the fuss is all about.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-15986" href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/rooibos-tea-espresso-2/"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-2" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-2-600x400.jpg" alt="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-2" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>What we found out was that Rooibos has all the versatility of espresso coffee. With this you could make latte, cappucino, americano, white mocha and even iced tea with apple juice. They even trademarked the red espresso names so that when you ask for these items below, it means Rooibos tea from <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red</span> espresso</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>latte</strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>cappucino</strong></li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>canadiano</strong> (he he he &#8230; not Americano!)</li>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red </span>symphony</strong> (is actually white mocha)</li>
<li><strong>fresh <span style="color: #ff0000;">red</span></strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"> </span>(iced tea with apple juice)</li>
<li><strong>iced <span style="color: #ff0000;">red</span></strong><span style="color: #ff0000;"> </span>(iced tea)</li>
</ul>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-15988" href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/rooibos-tea-espresso-20/"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-20" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-20-400x600.jpg" alt="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-20" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>Before I continue, I want to point out that these pictures here are all mine. How did you like it? It is not exactly pro level but I am pretty pleased how they all came out.</p>
<p>Anyway, you can prepare a <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>red</strong></span><strong> espresso</strong> in a few ways. You could use an espresso machine, a stovetop espresso maker, a french press or even a drip coffee maker.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t have an espresso machine at home. I had always wanted to buy one but Suanne kiboshed that idea because she said does not have anymore space in her kitchen. So we opted for the next best way to make this. We bought ourselves a stovetop espresso maker (above).</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-15985" href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/rooibos-tea-espresso-1/"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-1-600x400.jpg" alt="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-1" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>So I did a bit of research. Apparently the Rolls Royce of stovetop espresso makers are made by Bialetti. But Bialetti are so expensive with some fancy models costing over $100.</p>
<p>I found the basic one above in HomeSense. It is less than $10. Cheap but it works the same. He he he &#8230; I hope this is safe! OK we admit. We are noobs when it comes to this thingy. So, please don&#8217;t roll your eyes as I attempt to explain the basics OK?</p>
<p>With the stovetop espresso maker, you basically prepare your brew on top of your stove burner. The pressure from the boiling water will apply sufficient pressure to express a thick concentrated coffee from the beans. There are three sections: on the left is the boiler where the water goes. The middle part is the metal filter for the coffee (or in this case the <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">red</span> espresso</strong>). And on the right is the chamber where the espresso is collected.</p>
<p>It is a simple device. It is also the way the Italians make their espresso as I was told.</p>
<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-15987" href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/rooibos-tea-espresso-3/"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-3" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-3-600x400.jpg" alt="Rooibos-Tea-Espresso-3" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>The Rooibos tea looks kind of like &#8230; <br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/">Red Espresso &#8211; Rooibos Tea Espresso</a> (241 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/11/17/red-espresso-rooibos-tea-espresso/#comments">4 comments</a> 
<br/>
Post tags: <br/>
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
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		<title>New Jules+Kent and Undercurrents Products from Mad About Food</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/09/07/new-juleskent-and-undercurrents-products-from-mad-about-food/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/09/07/new-juleskent-and-undercurrents-products-from-mad-about-food/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:41:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=13325</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have more samples delivered to our home.

This time it came from <a href="http://www.madaboutfood.net/">Mad About Food</a>. We heard of them before. They were the gourmet food basket company.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Mad-About-Food-003" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-003-400x600.jpg" alt="Mad-About-Food-003" width="400" height="600" /></a>

Over the long weekend, Suanne and I had a little project to put into practice a couple of practical tips of taking food pictures. We learned this from <a href="http://seasaltwithfood.com">Sea Salt With Food</a> whose site traffic stands head and shoulders above every Vancouver blogs we know from the strength of her pictures.  [So, Angie, how are these shots?]

The above is Vegetarian Antipasto on Savory Crackers. We topped it with Goat Cheese. Yummy.

This is always a Canadian entertaining appetizer stapple. It had a savoury blend of vegetables and spices prepared in small batches. You can also add to pasta sauce or even use it as a sandwich spread, if you want.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We have more samples delivered to our home.</p>
<p>This time it came from <a href="http://www.madaboutfood.net/">Mad About Food</a>. We heard of them before. They are the gourmet food gift basket company.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Mad-About-Food-003" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-003-400x600.jpg" alt="Mad-About-Food-003" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>Over the long weekend, Suanne and I had a little project to put into practice a couple of practical tips of taking food pictures. We learned this from <a href="http://seasaltwithfood.com">Sea Salt With Food</a> whose site traffic stands head and shoulders above every Vancouver blogs we know from the strength of her pictures.  [So, Angie, how are these shots?]</p>
<p>The above is Vegetarian Antipasto on Savory Crackers. We topped it with Goat Cheese. Yummy.</p>
<p>This is always a Canadian entertaining appetizer stapple. It had a savoury blend of vegetables and spices prepared in small batches. You can also add to pasta sauce or even use it as a sandwich spread, if you want.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-025.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Mad-About-Food-025" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-025-600x400.jpg" alt="Mad-About-Food-025" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>We also had Tomato Chutney, similarly topped with Goat Cheese. The chutney has a pleasant, bright flavour.</p>
<p>It is versatile and is really intended to enhance pork, chicken and fish. You can also use this to cover the top of a wheel of brie and bake. That I got to try someday. How about blending this with cream cheese for an appealing appetizer?</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Mad-About-Food-002" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-002-400x600.jpg" alt="Mad-About-Food-002" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>Jules+Kent is the latest product line launched by Mad About Food. It is a range of specialty sauces that are locally-made.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-020.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Mad-About-Food-020" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-020-600x400.jpg" alt="Mad-About-Food-020" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Mad About Food also launched another range of &#8220;honey&#8221; products at the same time.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-024.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Mad-About-Food-024" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Mad-About-Food-024-600x400.jpg" alt="Mad-About-Food-024" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>The Nutty Hazel Honey is great.  I had never tried nuts with honey before. It is organic BC hazelnuts combined with pure, unpasteurized Canadian honey. It is part of the new line of products called Undercurrents.</p>
<p>All these and more came in a nice practical gift basket like this. <br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/09/07/new-juleskent-and-undercurrents-products-from-mad-about-food/">New Jules+Kent and Undercurrents Products from Mad About Food</a> (96 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/09/07/new-juleskent-and-undercurrents-products-from-mad-about-food/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/09/07/new-juleskent-and-undercurrents-products-from-mad-about-food/#comments">2 comments</a> 
<br/>
Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/food-review/" rel="tag">Food Review</a><br/>
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>Frito Lay&#8217;s Flavoured Potato Chips</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/08/30/frito-lays-flavoured-potato-chip/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/08/30/frito-lays-flavoured-potato-chip/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:43:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=13113</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We always have a bag (or two) at home ... but we never had so much before.  Oh yeah ... Nanzaro was estatic over all the chips.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Frito-Lays-Chips-2" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-2-600x400.jpg" alt="Frito-Lays-Chips-2" width="600" height="400" /></a>

Frito Lay shipped us six different types of flavours.  What's your favourite?  I like the Bar-B-Q the best but hate the Ketchup.  The Sour Cream and Onions are not bad.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We did not think that they were serious.</p>
<p>Frito Lay wrote to us some time ago alerting us that they had recently reduced the level of sodium in its entire lineup of Lay’s flavoured potato chips by at least 25% and up to 50% in some flavours.  They asked chowtimes if we would be agreeable to feature this in our blog.  We replied saying that we do not mind doing so as long as it benefits our readers.  We asked them for coupons that we can give away.</p>
<p>Well, they said did not have coupons but said they can ship us samples instead.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Frito-Lays-Chips-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-1-600x400.jpg" alt="Frito-Lays-Chips-1" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Even though they said shipped us some but I did not think that they would ship an entire box.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Frito-Lays-Chips-10" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-10-400x600.jpg" alt="Frito-Lays-Chips-10" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>We always have a bag (or two) at home &#8230; but we never had so much before.  Oh yeah &#8230; Nanzaro was estatic over all the chips.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px initial initial;" title="Frito-Lays-Chips-2" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Frito-Lays-Chips-2-600x400.jpg" alt="Frito-Lays-Chips-2" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Frito Lay shipped us six different types of flavours.  What&#8217;s your favourite?  I like the Bar-B-Q the best but hate the Ketchup.  The Sour Cream and Onions are not bad.</p>
<p>Oh &#8230; about the sodium level of Lay&#8217;s potato chips &#8230; <br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/08/30/frito-lays-flavoured-potato-chip/">Frito Lay&#8217;s Flavoured Potato Chips</a> (128 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/08/30/frito-lays-flavoured-potato-chip/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/08/30/frito-lays-flavoured-potato-chip/#comments">5 comments</a> 
<br/>
Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/food-review/" rel="tag">Food Review</a><br/>
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>POM Wonderful &#8212;  100% Pomegranate Juice</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/06/27/pom-wonderful-100-pomegranate-juice/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/06/27/pom-wonderful-100-pomegranate-juice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:36:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=11607</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[POM Wonderful, as it turns out, is available widely in Canada.  It is just that we had never paid much attention to it.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/POM-Wonderful-10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-11610" title="POM-Wonderful-10" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/POM-Wonderful-10-400x600.jpg" alt="POM-Wonderful-10" width="400" height="600" /></a>

We went to the Real Canadian Superstore to get some.  Never knowing where to look for it, we spent quite a bit of time looking -- thinking that it is somewhere in the beverage section.  We actually had thought it was some form of a concentrate because of the word "concentrate" on the bottle.

As it turns out, it was in the section where food like salads are ... i.e. at the produce section.  POM Wonderful came in a nice and unique bottle and is supposed to be drank cold.  They have a few flavours all identified by the colors on the cap.  The bottle is so nice, I know it will end up in the drawer where Suanne keeps these kind of cure bottles -- she can't bring herself to throw cute things away.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We do get samples every now and then.  Molly sent us an email asking if she could send us some coupons to sample.  We said yes and true enough the package came in the mail just a couple of days later.  That was fast.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/POM-Wonderful-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-11608" title="POM-Wonderful-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/POM-Wonderful-1-600x400.jpg" alt="POM-Wonderful-1" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Chowtimes had often been contacted asking if we would like samples from food manufacturers.  We replied to Molly saying that we&#8217;re in Canada because we thought that she may have mistaken us for a US blog site.  Very often, the samples comes from the US and the products are not available outside of the US.</p>
<p>POM Wonderful, as it turns out, is available widely in Canada.  It is just that we had never paid much attention to it.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/POM-Wonderful-10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-11610" title="POM-Wonderful-10" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/POM-Wonderful-10-400x600.jpg" alt="POM-Wonderful-10" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>We went to the Real Canadian Superstore to get some.  Never knowing where to look for it, we spent quite a bit of time looking &#8212; thinking that it is somewhere in the beverage section.  We actually had thought it was some form of a concentrate because of the word &#8220;concentrate&#8221; on the bottle.</p>
<p>As it turns out, it was in the section where food like salads are &#8230; i.e. at the produce section.  POM Wonderful came in a nice and unique bottle and is supposed to be drank cold.  They have a few flavours all identified by the colors on the cap.  The bottle is so nice, I know it will end up in the drawer where Suanne keeps these kind of cure bottles &#8212; she can&#8217;t bring herself to throw cute things away.</p>
<p>The above is Mango.  To me it tastes like <br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/06/27/pom-wonderful-100-pomegranate-juice/">POM Wonderful &#8212;  100% Pomegranate Juice</a> (167 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/06/27/pom-wonderful-100-pomegranate-juice/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/06/27/pom-wonderful-100-pomegranate-juice/#comments">3 comments</a> 
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		<title>Dr. Oetker Jam Express</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/30/dr-oetker-jam-express/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/30/dr-oetker-jam-express/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:00:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Suanne</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Canning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jam]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strawberry]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=9905</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It's strawberry season.  Ben brought home a 4lb pack one day after work as he found a good deal at the groceries store, $4.98 for 4 lbs.  Ben usually does not do groceries shopping.  It just happened that he was looking for some stationery in the Real Canadian Superstore and saw the good deal.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-10207" title="jamexpress-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-1-400x600.jpg" alt="jamexpress-1" width="400" height="600" /></a>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s strawberry season.  Ben brought home a 4lb pack one day after work as he found a good deal at the groceries store, $4.98 for 4 lbs.  Ben usually does not do groceries shopping.  It just happened that he was looking for some stationery in the Real Canadian Superstore and saw the good deal.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-10207" title="jamexpress-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-1-400x600.jpg" alt="jamexpress-1" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>With so much strawberries, I quickly check my pantry and found a pack of Dr. Oetker Jam Express Gelling Powder which I bought a couple of months ago.  I wanted to make some blueberries jam but do not get down to do it.  So, this is just great for making strawberry jam.</p>
<p>I like Dr. Oetker Jam Express Gelling Powder for it&#8217;s simplicity to use and no additional sugar is required.  You can use it to make jam from various fruit like raspberry, blueberry, blackberry and other fruits or blends.  If you use defrosted frozen fruit, include the juice which will enhance the flavour and recipe only requires 1 3/4 cup of chopped defrosted frozen fruit.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-20.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9922" title="jamexpress-20" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-20-600x400.jpg" alt="jamexpress-20" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Nothing beats some freshly home-made strawberry jam on a toast.</p>
<p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>3 cups fresh chopped strawberries, about 400g/1 lb</li>
<li>1 package of 200g Dr. Oetker Jam Express</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Two 250ml washed, rinsed and dried jam jars with sealing lids</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9908" title="jamexpress-3" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jamexpress-3-600x400.jpg" alt="jamexpress-3" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p><strong><br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/30/dr-oetker-jam-express/">Dr. Oetker Jam Express</a> (188 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© suanne for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/30/dr-oetker-jam-express/">Permalink</a> |
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		<title>Between McDonalds and Starbucks Coffee</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/27/between-mcdonalds-and-starbucks-coffee/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/27/between-mcdonalds-and-starbucks-coffee/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coffee]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=9816</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just in case you don't already know, the coffee war down south had just spilled over the border to Canada.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdonalds-billboard.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9823" title="mcdonalds-billboard" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdonalds-billboard.jpg" alt="mcdonalds-billboard" width="577" height="339" /></a>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just in case you don&#8217;t already know, the coffee war down south had just spilled over the border to Canada.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdonalds-billboard.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9823" title="mcdonalds-billboard" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdonalds-billboard.jpg" alt="mcdonalds-billboard" width="577" height="339" /></a></p>
<p>A few months ago, McDonalds setting its sights on Starbucks fired the opening salvo by putting up billboards that proclaimed &#8220;four bucks is dumb&#8221;.  Dozens of these billboards were erected in the Washington state and from what I read, there is even one erected right in front of the Starbucks HQ in Seattle.  It was direct confrontation of the specialty coffee market in the US.</p>
<p>Last week, the coffee war came to Canada when McDonalds announced that you could get a free coffee during breakfast time in all outlets for a duration of two weeks.  Starbucks reacted with a feeble attempt by giving free coffee for just a few hours.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9817" title="mcdvsstarbucks-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-1-400x600.jpg" alt="mcdvsstarbucks-1" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>Suanne and I do not normally buy coffee.  We make coffee at home and there is also a Starbucks coffee dispenser at work.  Two cups in the morning is just about the max we consume everyday.</p>
<p>Last Sunday, we decided to go check out what the fuss was.  We woke up early, very early and drove to the Starbucks at Ironwood and bought a cup of Starbucks regular coffee.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9817" title="mcdvsstarbucks-2" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-2-400x600.jpg" alt="mcdvsstarbucks-2" width="400" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>We then brought it across the parking lot to the McDonalds outlets to get the free coffee.  OK, Suanne was afraid of being caught taking a Starbucks coffee into McDonalds, getting a free cuppa and then take pictures.  It was quite obvious what we were doing to the people around us.  LOL!</p>
<p>Bear with me OK?  I am no coffee expert but this is just my way of comparing McDonalds coffee with Starbucks.  First off, we are comparing apple-to-apple.  Both cups are small coffee (McDonalds Canada does not have espresso yet, I think).</p>
<p>Size wise, <span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Starbucks wins</strong></span> with its taller cup, slightly wider cup.</p>
<p>The Starbucks cup costs $1.65 while McDonalds is 22% cheaper at $1.29.  <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>McDonalds wins</strong></span>.</p>
<p>The cup in McDonalds I heard was a new design which does not require a sleeve &#8230; Starbucks does.  While the sleeve was made of recycled materials, still it is another piece of garbage that needed to be handled by the system.  <span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>McDonalds wins</strong></span> here.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9819" title="mcdvsstarbucks-10" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-10-600x400.jpg" alt="mcdvsstarbucks-10" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>Starbucks lid is of simpler design.  I like the McDonalds one which has a pullback tab which helps keep the coffee hot a tad longer.  <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">McDonalds wins</span></strong>.</p>
<p>You probably read about how big a problem these coffee cups are to the environment.  They had largely managed to figure out making the cups environment friendly but the biggest problem is with the pastic lids.  They still have no solution to making a viable cheap alternative to the plastic lids.</p>
<p>Oh, there are now proposals to start taxing plastic bottle (I know I am digressing here) in Vancouver.  I think it&#8217;s a great idea but I know the Vancouver City Hall is up against powerful industry lobby groups.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-11.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-9819" title="mcdvsstarbucks-11" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcdvsstarbucks-11-600x400.jpg" alt="mcdvsstarbucks-11" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>And now to the coffee.  Starbucks serve the coffee with just the right temperature.  I can just drink it the moment I get it.  For McDonalds&#8217;, it was scalding hot when we got it that we had to carefully sip it in the beginning.  <strong><span style="color: #008000;">Starbucks wins</span></strong>.</p>
<p>Starbucks will hand you  a cup and lets you add in your own sugar and cream &#8212; and you get to chose what creamer you want.  In McDonalds, they ask you if you want sugar and cream and adds it for you.  You, of course , could add in more if you want but what if you wanted less.  OK, <span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Starbucks wins</strong></span>.</p>
<p>Taste wise &#8230; heck, I don&#8217;t know!  Suanne says they taste the same &#8230; no difference.  I felt Starbucks tastes like 2.4% better because I tasted a hint of bitterness in McDonalds&#8217;s cup.  <span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Starbucks wins</strong></span>.</p>
<p>Smell wise Starbucks has a stronger coffee smell and so I gotta give it to Starbucks.  <span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Starbucks wins</strong></span>.</p>
<p>Give me a sec while I tally up the score &#8230;</p>
<p><br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/04/27/between-mcdonalds-and-starbucks-coffee/">Between McDonalds and Starbucks Coffee</a> (55 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
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Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/coffee/" rel="tag">Coffee</a><br/>
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		<title>MaxFrut &#8212; Gourmet Fruitcicles</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/25/maxfrut-gourmet-fruitcicles/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/25/maxfrut-gourmet-fruitcicles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[North Vancouver]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=7577</guid>
		<description><![CDATA["Yes Virgina.  Not only are there <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/23/pineapple-jerky-from-jerkycom/">Gourmet Jerkies</a>, there is such a thing as Gourmet Popsicle"

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7578" title="maxfrut-3" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-3.jpg" alt="maxfrut-3" width="600" /></a>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;Yes Virgina.  Not only are there <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/23/pineapple-jerky-from-jerkycom/">Gourmet Jerkies</a>, there is such a thing as Gourmet Popsicle&#8221;</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7578" title="maxfrut-3" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-3.jpg" alt="maxfrut-3" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>Anna of <a href="http://maxfrut.ca">MaxFrut</a> invited us to visit their premises to check out their cool new product &#8230; fruitcicles, not popsicles.  We went right after the lunch we had at Kash Cool.  It was just perfect &#8230; this will be dessert after the heavy lunch.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-23.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7587" title="maxfrut-23" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-23.jpg" alt="maxfrut-23" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>MaxFrut is located just around the corner from Kash Cool.  They are located in an industrial area on 127 Garden Ave.  This is where the MaxFrut Flavour Lab is &#8230; the birth place of the many uniquely cool flavours.</p>
<p>We were greeted by the lovely Anna who were so helpful with our many questions.  Suanne and I love learning about the food we eat and was lapping up every single word she said.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-20.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7587" title="maxfrut-20" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-20.jpg" alt="maxfrut-20" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>As much as we were curious, we were more excited when Anna brought this large tray of samples.  Oooo &#8230; nice!</p>
<p>Hey &#8230; these are not your day to day popsicles.  These are what Anna calls whole fruit frozen fruitcicles.  She had made a new batch of interesting flavour of cucumber lime.  What a combination but really, it was quite nice and fresh.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-21.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7587" title="maxfrut-21" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-21.jpg" alt="maxfrut-21" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>They had all kinds of Classic flavours made from real fruits.  Since this is a laboratory of sorts, they even have Premium flavours which is not found elsewhere but here in the flavour lab in North Vancouver.</p>
<p>We noticed they had a $5 bill tagged on the top corner of this poster.  Suanne and I guessed that it must be the first $5 they sold here.  You think?</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-22.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7587" title="maxfrut-22" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-22.jpg" alt="maxfrut-22" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>It was fun learning about flavours.  Out of curiosity, Anna brought out some chili seasonings and use us as guinea pigs.  She wanted to see how we react to this odd combination.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7578" title="maxfrut-2" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/maxfrut-2.jpg" alt="maxfrut-2" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>Mango fruitcicle is a very Asian flavour since it is a common tropical fruit found abundantly in South and South East Asia.  So, Anna figured perhaps some chilli seasonings may go OK with the Mango fruitcicle.</p>
<p>The taste was &#8230; errrr &#8230; different.  It was not bad especially.  Who would have thought of putting chilli on popsicles?  MaxFruit would, that&#8217;s who!</p>
<p><br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/25/maxfrut-gourmet-fruitcicles/">MaxFrut &#8212; Gourmet Fruitcicles</a> (409 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/25/maxfrut-gourmet-fruitcicles/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/25/maxfrut-gourmet-fruitcicles/#comments">3 comments</a> 
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Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/food-review/" rel="tag">Food Review</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/north-vancouver/" rel="tag">North Vancouver</a><br/>
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		<title>Pineapple Jerky from Jerky.com</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/23/pineapple-jerky-from-jerkycom/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/23/pineapple-jerky-from-jerkycom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:01:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Snack]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=7543</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Guess what came through the mail last week.  A quick scan of the envelope showed that it's a package from Jerky.com.  I was rather surprised this package actually came ... and that it passed Canadian Customs.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7544" title="jerky-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-1.jpg" alt="jerky-1" width="600" /></a>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Guess what came through the mail last week.  A quick scan of the envelope showed that it&#8217;s a package from Jerky.com.  I was rather surprised this package actually came &#8230; and that it passed Canadian Customs.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7544" title="jerky-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-1.jpg" alt="jerky-1" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>I received an email from <a href="http://jerky.com">Jerky.com</a> asking if we would like to try one of their latest product.  Doug was pretty convincing that what he had is going to be awesome, in his words.  Sure thing &#8230; awesome is good &#8230; so I asked him to send some over all the way from Texas.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7544" title="jerky-2" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-2.jpg" alt="jerky-2" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>The awesome new product he was referring to was &#8230; tada &#8230; <a href="http://www.jerky.com/product/HJC001.html">Pineapple Jerky</a>.  Yes, PINEAPPLE Jerky.  We could not wait to try them out.  We had never come across fruity jerkies before &#8230; <a href="http://www.Jerky.com">beef jerky</a> yes &#8230; fruit jerky no.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7544" title="jerky-3" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-3.jpg" alt="jerky-3" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>We double check to make sure it&#8217;s not some pineapple flavored jerky &#8230; no siree.  It is the real thing.  100% natural &#8230; so the packaging said.  And made in Maui too.  Of course now &#8230; pineapples and Hawaii are synonymous.</p>
<p>What I had was sample packages which came in singles.  If you order from them, it comes in packs of 5-8 slices in a bag.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7544" title="jerky-4" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/jerky-4.jpg" alt="jerky-4" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>Nanzaro commented that it looked like a flower and nothing resembling a pineapple.  It is a healthy one-of-a-kind snack.  Sticky, sweet and tangy, these hand-sliced pieces of pineapple are dehydrated and drizzled with honey.  It has a certain exquisite taste &#8230; very unique and makes us wished they had shipped more!</p>
<p>You can order the <a href="http://www.jerky.com/product/HJC001.html">Pineapple Jerky here</a>.  Shipping is free in the US but am not sure if they will also ship free to Canada.</p>
<p>&#8220;Yes Virginia &#8230; there is such a thing as Gourmet Jerky&#8221;!</p>
<div class="linkwithin_hook" id="http://chowtimes.com/2009/02/23/pineapple-jerky-from-jerkycom/"></div><hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
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<br/>
Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/food-review/" rel="tag">Food Review</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/snack/" rel="tag">Snack</a><br/>
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		<title>Qoola on Denman, Vancouver</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/27/qoola-on-denman-vancouver/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/27/qoola-on-denman-vancouver/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crepe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restaurant Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waffle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yogurt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=6986</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A week ago, Suanne and I received an email from <a href="http://qoola.com">Qoola</a> inviting us to a Qoola Yogurt and Fruit Blogger Night.  Since we were going to be in downtown for the Taste BC event on the same night, we accepted the invite.  I know it is kind of weird ... we were going for yogurt, waffle and crepes immediately after wine and cheese, sushi, burger ... all on the same night.

So, Suanne, Angie and I took a short drive to the western end of Denman to where Qoola is.  Qoola is actually located at old location of Cupcakes.

<a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6987" title="qoola-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-1.jpg" alt="qoola-1" width="600" /></a>

We were met up front by Warrick who is the man behind the entire idea of Qoola.  Warrick came across to us as a bright, energetic young man with great passion in what he does.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A week ago, Suanne and I received an invitation to checkout a new frozen yogurt place called Qoola.  Since we were going to be in downtown anyway for the Taste BC event on the same night, we decided to pop over.  I know it is kind of weird &#8230; we were going for yogurt, waffle and crepes immediately after wine and cheese, sushi, burger &#8230; all on the same night.</p>
<p>So, Suanne, Angie and I took a short drive to the western end of Denman to where Qoola is.  Qoola is actually located at the old location of Cupcakes (1116 Denman).</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6987" title="qoola-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-1.jpg" alt="qoola-1" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>We were met up front by Warrick who is the man behind the entire idea of Qoola.  Warrick came across to us as a bright, energetic young man with great passion in what he does.</p>
<p>Qoola had been opened for just one month so everything is spanking clean.  We love the bright greenish interior.  Qoola is green &#8230; more greener than what we expected and we soon realized how seriously green they are.</p>
<p>We had a crash course, to say the least &#8230; much of which went swosh over my head.  Too much data and too technical for me after all the wine from Taste BC.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-30.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7032" title="qoola-30" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-30.jpg" alt="qoola-30" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>Not really a person who knows what is what, we left the choice to Warrick and his partners.  The only thing we asked is that they surprise us.  First came their Green Tea Yogurt with blueberry and marionberry sauce.  It was good and we like it.</p>
<p>I don&#8217;t care much for frozen yogurt.  The only time I had frozen yogurt of note is <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2007/11/13/red-mango-in-bellevue-wa/">Red Mango</a> which we had in Bellevue,WA.  I was told that many frozen yogurt places uses powdered yogurt which contains only about 1 million bacteria.  However, Qoola uses only fresh yogurt despite its limited shelf life of a couple of weeks only.  Fresh yogurt has 400 times more bacteria than powdered yogurt.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-10.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6993" title="qoola-10" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/qoola-10.jpg" alt="qoola-10" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>The next surprise is the Original yogurt with apples, cinnamon flakes and caramel sauce.  We love this more than the earlier one.  I like especially the fresh looking and crunchy apple chunks.<br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/27/qoola-on-denman-vancouver/">Qoola on Denman, Vancouver</a> (662 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/27/qoola-on-denman-vancouver/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/27/qoola-on-denman-vancouver/#comments">13 comments</a> 
<br/>
Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/crepe/" rel="tag">Crepe</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/restaurant-review/" rel="tag">Restaurant Review</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/vancouver/" rel="tag">Vancouver</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/waffle/" rel="tag">Waffle</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/yogurt/" rel="tag">Yogurt</a><br/>
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		<title>Taste BC 2009</title>
		<link>http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/26/taste-bc-2009/</link>
		<comments>http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/26/taste-bc-2009/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Ben</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Drinks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Drink]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Food Festivals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chowtimes.com/?p=6970</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You know, one of the things we enjoy a lot with food blogging is when we get invited to events.  Suanne and I was invited as &#8220;media&#8221; to cover the Taste BC event which held on Thursday last week.  Ooooo &#8230; &#8220;media&#8221;, fancy huh?  LOL!
Angie (Sea Salt with Food) who is a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You know, one of the things we enjoy a lot with food blogging is when we get invited to events.  Suanne and I was invited as &#8220;media&#8221; to cover the Taste BC event which held on Thursday last week.  Ooooo &#8230; &#8220;media&#8221;, fancy huh?  LOL!</p>
<p>Angie (<a href="http://seasaltwithfood.com">Sea Salt with Food</a>) who is a wine enthusiast joined us.  We like that because we are such babes when it came to wine and we wanted to learn from the event.  I thought that we would only spend like 30-45 minutes but ended staying for almost 3 hours.  We had a great time at the event.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/tastebc-6.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6971" title="tastebc-6" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/tastebc-6.jpg" alt="tastebc-6" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>Taste BC is more of a wine than fine food event.  The event is presented by the Liberty Merchant Company in the effort to bring together the best of BC wines.  All proceeds from the event went to the Oak Tree Clinic of the BC Children&#8217;s Hospital.  I am afraid we did not take many photos of the wine although I did try quite a lot that night.</p>
<p>Our favourite was simply the Ice Lady ice wine from the Forbidden Fruit Winery.  Surprisingly, almost all the food blogs that covered the event also picked this as a favourite.  I want to say that no one pushed this to us to blog but for some reason it just stands out.  It is made of Pink Lady Apple and is very sweet and fruity.  It does not reek of alcohol at all.  Suanne who does not drink loves this.</p>
<p>I also like the Victoria Gin.  They first gave me a shot of Victoria Gin which was awful, like drinking jet fuel.  Then they added Tonic Water which made it like a million times better.  Nice.</p>
<p>We also had sake and learned a lot of flexibility of this brew &#8230; that how this is about the only liquor that can be served both hot or cold and its ability to be paired with any type of cuisines.</p>
<p>The Garibaldi Honey Pale Ale (from the Howe Sound Brewing Company) was another one I like &#8230; it was smooth and light with a hint of honey.</p>
<p>In all, there are over 60 wine and drink participants with an average of 5 types of wine showcased.  It was impossible to try every one of them for sure &#8230; for us at least.  On to food &#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/tastebc-1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6971" title="tastebc-1" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/tastebc-1.jpg" alt="tastebc-1" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>The Wild Sockeye Salmon on Artisan Bread was presented by a &#8220;baby&#8221; restaurant in Gastown.  It is interestingly called &#8220;2 Chefs and a Table&#8221; which had just opened for 7 months.</p>
<p><a href="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/tastebc-5.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-6971" title="tastebc-6" src="http://chowtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/tastebc-5.jpg" alt="tastebc-5" width="400" /></a></p>
<p>We like the sushi from Miku Restaurant a lot.  As a matter of fact, we went back for seconds &#8230; and thirds &#8230; and fourths.<br/>More after the jump.  Click to read the rest of <a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/26/taste-bc-2009/">Taste BC 2009</a> (219 words)</p>
<hr />
<p><small>© ben for <a href="http://chowtimes.com">Chow Times</a>, 2009. |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/26/taste-bc-2009/">Permalink</a> |
<a href="http://chowtimes.com/2009/01/26/taste-bc-2009/#comments">2 comments</a> 
<br/>
Post tags: <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/drink/" rel="tag">Drink</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/food-festivals/" rel="tag">Food Festivals</a>, <a href="http://chowtimes.com/tag/food-review/" rel="tag">Food Review</a><br/>
</small></p>]]></content:encoded>
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