Food Education

Cigars Part 2 – What is the proper technique for the initial light?

Cigars Part 2 – What is the proper technique for the initial light?

 This is the continuation of a two-part series on cigars with my good friend, Philip Meech. I really want to give a shout out to him and his coffee roasting company, Caffe Lusso. We have been ordering coffee from him consistently. My personal favorite is…

Uisce Beatha – A Brief History of Irish Whiskey

Uisce Beatha – A Brief History of Irish Whiskey

Uisce Beatha, literally translates as “water of life” in Gaelic. Our friends and family with Gaelic roots, the Scots and Irish, believed that the fermentation of grains, when aged to perfection, meant life. There is some debate as to the origin of whiskey in Ireland.…

Burger Month Part 3 – Condiments

Burger Month Part 3 – Condiments

Condiments. Some classic. Some random. Probably always rooted in ritual. Like I had mentioned before, my pal Phil and I decided to take on this task for you, God, and country.  You might remember our first conversation where we debated the stacking effect, how one…

Burger Month Part 2 – Toppings Debate

Burger Month Part 2 – Toppings Debate

If you have been following, Phil and I have been doing the heavy lifting for you this month in the burger debate that I am sure you are all having somewhere or at some time. Last week we discussed the stacking effect. We covered the…

Burger Month Part 1 – The Stacking Effect

Burger Month Part 1 – The Stacking Effect

Let’s face it, burgers bring people together. From backyard barbecues to drive-ins. Big cities to small rural towns. Burger joints and eating a great hamburger have been at the center of communities and families for dozens of years. Your dad and grandfather’s memories of a…

A Brief History of Brandy and Cognac

A Brief History of Brandy and Cognac

Book Club usually means we feature a specific spirit and maybe a cocktail or two so that guys can try something new (possibly) and hopefully push themselves a bit past their boozy comfort zone. I know that most guys build their home bar around things…

Corned Beef and Cabbage – A Brief History and How To

Corned Beef and Cabbage – A Brief History and How To

St. Patrick’s day in America is special. It’s is the only day where everyone claims the same heritage, unequivocally consumes more alcohol than even New Year’s, and people are willing to eat corned beef and cabbage. Rich, poor, red, yellow, black and white, we are…

Brief History of the Black and Tan

Brief History of the Black and Tan

hence I 2ssOne of the iconic beverages for those that either are, or wish they were of Irish descent, the Black and Tan, represents all that is right with beer and wrong with British rule. The History – In Brief When the Irish were trying…

Those Darn Blackberries – Where did they come from?

Oh, I know you have seen them. Brambles up along driveways, river banks, sides of highways, parks and in the middle of nowhere and somewhere all at the same time. Blackberries.  Do we pick them, eat them, or should we now be afraid?  And why…

Food Facts: Sassafras and the origin of Root Beer

Early explorers to the “New World” were intent on gathering sassafras, which was highly prized because it was thought to cure syphilis. North America abounds in sassafras. The Native Americans used the leaves to thicken soups. It never cured syphilis, but the roots made an…