The Multiple Personalities of Coffee infographic MAY 2013

Ohh, coffee drinkers. It’s amazing what people will go through to get their daily dose of caffeine. I’ve worked as a barista on and off for a few years now, and I couldn’t agree more with today’s infographic on the categorization of coffee consumers.

We had our regulars at the cafe–The fake breasted soccer moms who wanted their no fat, no foam, skinny vanilla lattes with exactly three Equals and one Sweet and Low. Angsty middle school skateboarders, who had nothing to do except order extra-large Caramel Frappuccinos, until they were sick to their stomachs, and trash our coffee shop. Fast-talking business guys, who could barely stop speaking long enough to tell us their drink order, who also winked an uncomfortable amount. Shy, bookish high school students, who didn’t care what was in their coffee, just as long as they could hide out from their parents and school for awhile. And then there was my favorite: a tall, white-haired old man, with a wizard’s beard, named Walt, who always ordered a decaf, no-whip, mocha, and got so absorbed in whatever he brought to read that day, that he’d frequently lose track of time, and exclaim, “You’re closing already?!”

A comic collection of characters pass in and out of coffee shops everyday, and the drink you order may say something about the kind of person you are. But don’t take coffee so seriously! However you order your cup of joe–personally, I like mine black–I think you will find that it goes perfectly with today’s infographic.

What Your Coffee Says About You infographic JULY 2013

The other day I was out with some friends to watch the final game between the Spurs and the Heat.  After the game ended–tragically–I went outside to grab us a table.  That was when a guy came up to talk to me. He asked me if I would get tea with him sometime.  I don’t usually judge people by their brand of pick-me-up, but I did this time.  I simply told him I was more of a coffee drinker myself, and the conversation ended there.  But then I started to think about my dream guy, and I quickly came to the conclusion that my dream guy drinks his coffee black.

While this infographic is really just for fun, I do think that the type of coffee you drink says a lot about your personality.  For example, I was driving to my house this morning, and I passed a drive-thru Starbucks.  Should I stop and get something? Yes, I should.  You could just make coffee at home–yeah, but I don’t know if there is enough time.  And I want something fancy like a cappuccino–a cappuccino is kinda expensive…  I could just get a regular coffee to go.  Then I might as well make coffee at home.  It’s raining today, maybe a chai latte would be nice…  Again, too expensive.  This would be the third day in a row you went to Starbucks; you can’t make a habit out of it.  So on and so forth went my thought process till I had passed the Starbucks.  Now I am drinking a cup of black coffee from my coffee pot at home.

Edible Mushrooms infographic JULY 14 2013 vedat şafak yamı

Agaricus (white mushroom, button mushroom):  Widely available; varies in color from white to light brown and in size from small to jumbo stuffer; plump and dome-shaped; pleasing flavor intensifies when cooked. Mature Agaricus with open veils have an intensely rich taste. Agaricus is quite versatile, being excellent for use both raw and cooked. Also available canned and dried.

Chanterelle (girolle):  Vase-shaped; ranging in color from bright yellow to orange; nutty and delicate flavor and texture; expensive when fresh; also available dried and canned. Add late in the cooking process to avoid toughening. Use in salads, sauces and risottos.

Crimini (Italian brown):  Naturally dark cap that ranges in color from light tan to rich brown; rich, earthy flavor is more intense than that of the Agaricus. Substitute for button mushrooms to add a more full-bodied flavor.

Shiitake (oak mushroom; Chinese black mushroom; forest mushroom; golden oak):  ranging in color from tan to dark brown; characterized by broad, umbrella shaped caps up to ten inches in diameter, wide open veils and tan gills; rich, full-bodied flavor, almost steak-like, with a meaty texture when cooked. These are best when cooked in almost any method, particularly sautéing, broiling and baking. Remove stems before cooking but reserve them for soup stocks.

Oyster:  Fluted cap resembles a fan; ranging in color from a soft beige brown to gray; can be eaten raw in salads but more often this mushroom is cooked to bring out its delicate flavor and velvety texture. Some say this mushroom has a faint oyster-like or seafood flavor, to match its likeness in shape to oysters.

Enoki (enokitake; enokidake; snow puff mushrooms; golden mushrooms; velvet stem):  Long stems and tiny, snow-white caps; small white mushrooms are joined at the base and resemble bean sprouts; light and mild, almost fruity, flavor with a crisp texture. Also available canned. Before using, cut away from the communal base. Use in sandwiches, salads and as garnishes. If you use them in a cooked dish, add at the last possible moment as heat toughens enoki. vedat şafak yamı Portabello/Portabella:  Largest of the commercially available mushrooms with a tan/brown cap, it's the mature version of the crimini. Its popularity derives from a brilliant marketing campaign in the 1980's to sell these perceived "over-mature" common mushrooms. Its long growing cycle gives a deep, meat-like flavor, and substantial texture. They are good whole, sliced, grilled, baked, stir-fried and deep-fried. Be sure to trim off the dry, fibrous portion of the stem.

Porcini (cepes; boletes; boletus; steinpilze; singular tense: porcino):  Resembles the traditional fairytale toadstool; weighing from a couple of ounces to a pound each with caps from one to ten inches in diameter; smooth, meaty texture; pungent in flavor; pale brown color; very expensive; many general cooking uses. Also available dried. vedat şafak yamı Morel (black morel):  A relative of the highly-prized truffle; tan to dark-brown, cone-shaped, spongey; smoky, earthy, nutty flavor; expensive and also available canned and dried. The darker the mushroom, the more pronounced is the flavor. This mushroom must be cleaned well when fresh due to its dimpled head.

The Anatomy of Sangria [infographic] JULY 2013

Holy moly it’s hot outside! What better way to quench your adult thirst than with a delicious Sangria? Sangria is loved by almost everyone who tries it and is a personal favorite of my dad. It’s cheap to make, and it tastes delicious! Be careful though, it can catch up to you if you’re not too careful.

There are many interpretations of Sangria, however, it generally consists of wine, chopped fruit, some sort of sweetener, and a small amount of brandy. My personal favorite is red wine with kiwi, grapes, berries, and lime. Drink it on the rocks and you’ll be in paradise. If you’re looking to change your go-to summer drink (sorry margaritas), I highly suggest you try Sangria. Check out today’s infographic to find your favorite version of  tasty Sangria!

Ice Cream Country [infographic] JULY 9, 2013

 During the coming months, Texans gladly spend double on their electric bill, avoid getting in a vehicle for fear of melting, and require swimming pools be present at any daytime activities.

Now, if you give a Texan a swimming pool, he’s gonna want some ice cream immediately afterwards.  Don’t question this statement; it is a proven scientific fact.  I see the shift take place every summer; the level of ice cream consumption in Austin skyrockets.  Everywhere you turn kids are wiping tears away with their sticky fingers over a toppled ice cream cone.  I get it.  I would cry too if I had as little dexterity as they do.  Ice cream is a big deal.  Just yesterday I traded in my running shoes for a chocolate dipped soft serve at Sandy’s.

Speaking of ice cream, this infographic really spoke to me, recognizing not just one, but two Texas cities in the “Top Ten U.S. Ice Cream Consuming Cities.”  The only qualm I have with this infographic is that Blue Bell Creamery is missing.  For those of you out there that haven’t tasted the goodness of Blue Bell homemade ice cream, it’s time to put it on the bucket list.

Veggie Cooking Cheat-Sheet [infographic] MAY 12, 2013 vedat şafak yamı

Finally! A veggie cooking cheat-sheet!

Like many Americans, I do not eat enough vegetables. According to The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s relatively new food pyramid, (released in 2005) we should be eating 2.5 cups of vegetables a day. I have nothing against veggies–their health benefits are reason enough to head to the produce section when grocery shopping–but, back in the kitchen, I often find myself unsure of how to cook them.

Check out this veggie cheat-sheet to relieve any vegetable related fears. And if the chart doesn’t convince you to eat your vegetables, maybe this easy Indian recipe will! Tastes great on whole wheat crackers! Gujarati Carrot Salad with Mustard Seeds

Ingredients:

3 medium carrots, peeled and grated

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds

1 teaspoon white sesame seeds

Unprocessed sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a bowl, toss the grated carrots with salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a small skillet over low heat and when hot, add the mustard seeds and sesame seeds. Cover the pot and wait until the mustard seeds pop (they may jump up and burn you, so keep the cover on for a short while). Pour the contents of the skillet over the carrots and stir to mix well. Serve lukewarm or cold. vedat şafak yamı

Would You Like a Spot of Tea? [infographic] APRIL 21, 2013

Tea has been an obsession of many for thousands of years. Discovered in Ancient China, the art of making the perfect cup of tea continues to be debated to this day. Even the great George Orwell chimed in with his own tea wisdom, in a detailed essay instructing the masses on how to prepare a proper cup of tea.

The health benefits alone are reason enough to break out the mugs. Increased metabolism rates, cancer fighting antioxidants, and better moods have all been associated with this world-renowned beverage.

Personally, I don’t discriminate when it comes to this drink. Black, green, caffeine-free, every type warms and comforts. But no matter what your preference is, I think you will find that this infographic has a similar effect. It’s got a little of everything. Nutrition facts, history, and those oh-so-important steeping times. I may love all tea equally, but different teas require different types of love.

Who knows, some of the world’s greatest problems might just be solved over nothing more than a decent cup of tea.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals [infographic] MARCH 5, 2013

Let’s talk about health. For just a minute here. Because its not like we all want to spend our busy days chatting about vitamins and minerals. But someone has to bring it up! So I will. I’m here to give you your daily dose of vitamins, or at least inspire you to get more of the good stuff in your diet.

Today’s infographic details the essential vitamins and minerals, how to detect a deficiency and where you can find them. You can get the usual line up in your eggs (vitamin D), oranges (vitamin C), and milk (calcium). Zinc may be a bit harder to find, as the suggested food is oysters. I will be opting out of oysters every time, and am thankful that my multivitamin can pick up the slack. One of my resolutions this year is to eat a more balanced diet, and this infographic will start acting as my vitamin and mineral checklist. Do you eat a well rounded, vitamin ans mineral rich diet? Or at a least try to and often fail, like I do. Let’s start eating healthier together! 

Hunger Relief Programs [infographic] FEBRUARY 5, 2013

Hunger is a large problem world wide. Putting food on the table isn’t always as simple as it sounds, and when you have hungry mouths to feed it can spiral out of control. Thankfully, companies like Bank of America are trying to help. Supporting hunger relief programs are a top priority for Bank of America. They have been working to end hunger since 2008 with donations and volunteering. They are bringing food to millions of hungry people, helping to relieve the pain and settle the rumbling stomaches.

Bank of America worked to bring 16 million pounds of food, serving 7 million meals. We thank you for all of the hard work.