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Flavor Blending

The Secrets To Pairing Your Food and Drink

Food and drink go hand in hand. They’re our sustenance, the things that keep us alive, as well as the main joy of most meals. So when it comes to pairing our food and drinks together, why are we so lazy about what tastes best? We settle for whatever we prefer in each category, without really taking into consideration what can really bring out the flavors in each dish that we are sampling. Pairing your food and drink together is something that can really open your eyes to the true tastes of both dish and beverage.

pilsner
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Spirits

There are a lot of very different spirits that you can choose from, each being almost synonymous (for some foodies) with their own particular set of dishes. For example, whiskey is traditionally meant to be sipped with beef; the flavors complement each other and offer a perfect match for most dishes.

Different whiskeys from different countries can be set and sampled with the traditional flavors from the nation’s favorite dishes – you can review Kikori Japanese whiskey with a number of meals from Japan to see just how perfect a pairing can be. Take a moment to savor the undertones of the spirit that you are drinking, as most of the time these can be finely tuned even more so with the dish that you are eating.


Wines

There are a whole host of colors and flavors of wine to pick from that can do everything from complement to completely ruin your meal. The general rule is that red wine is meant to be paired with red meat and white with white meat and fish, but if you stick to this then there are so many great combinations that you could be potentially missing out on.

There are websites dedicated to letting you know which up and coming wines are the ones to go for and with which food you are preparing.


Non-Alcoholic Drinks

This isn’t so much thinking about what soda you can have with your meal, but instead venturing out into other drinks which may be able to better enhance the food that you are consuming. For those who are going out and eating who aren’t drinking, trying to pair your food and drink together can be a challenge. Alcoholic drinks offer a depth and a myriad of complex flavors which are made up from a strong base; they have often been fermented, taking a while to reach the point where they are the drinks that we know and love.

The majority of non-alcoholic drinks can’t offer this, and so there have been specific creations of drinks that can. Most of these drinks are based on the principle of infusing herbs in with the water that you are drinking that are also included in your meal to bring out the flavors that you want to intensify.

Have a go with your next meal; simply get a glass of iced water and put in some fresh herbs (amount depending on how much flavor you want to bring out) and see if it’s something that suits your palette.


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Categories
Flavor Blending

You Are What You Drink?

Are you judged by what you drink? A survey released by Budweiser last fall suggests you are.

The ‘Beerpressions’ Survey — a first-of-its-kind study about how beverage choices influence first impressions and perceptions of approachability — has some interesting results. Some of which, I must say is quite unfortunate for yours truly!

raising a toast with dark beer

2,000 Americans (ages 21+) were surveyed by Learndipity Data Insights. They were asked to match common bar drinks with the perceived personality traits of the people ordering them, as well as a few other questions. Here are the results by drink choice:

beer bottle toastDrink Choice #1: Domestic Beer (Budweiser)
Both women (70%) and men (59%) who drink domestic beer (such as Budweiser) are perceived as more approachable.

Drink Choice #2: Imported Beer
Imported beer also has a positive effect for both women (36%) and men (29%), but not nearly as strong as a domestic beer like Budweiser.

Drink Choice #3: Wine (my beverage of choice)
For wine drinkers, women (23%) and men (18%) have lower overall approachability perception rates.

Drink Choice #4: Margarita (my second choice)
A margarita is the highest-ranking cocktail for approachability (38% for women and 28% for men), but still ranks significantly lower than domestic beer.

margaritaThe survey also discovered that most Americans believe that you are what you drink. 61% of those surveyed believed that “what a person drinks at a bar gives significant clues about their personality.” In fact, one in three often makes “quick judgments” about strangers based on this information.

Also, in what circumstances someone orders a drink influences their choice. While 20% of those surveyed actively consider how their drink order will be perceived by others while out with friends, nearly twice as many think strategically about their drink choices at a work event (39%) or on dates (34%).

The downside for me is, I don’t like the taste of beer and will never order one. But, I promise, I can be quite approachable … under the right circumstances. Hmmm … maybe I’m not that approachable after all.

wine

Categories
Flavor Blending

Which Drinks Do You Serve At The Dinner Table?

What drinks should you serve with dinner?
Source: Pixabay
What drinks should you serve with dinner? Foodies love entertaining and showing off their own culinary skills. Different foods and different flavors offer the best dinner conversation too. But for a fully satisfying meal experience, we must think carefully about the choice of drinks that we serve with each course. Of course, my standard preference is plain water, but when you have company, it is nice to mix it up.

What beverage you serve may depend on who you have invited to dinner. And it also depends on the dishes you serve. In fact, there could be a perfect drink for each course!

When you’re dressing and setting the table for a dinner party, you probably put all the cutlery for the meal out together. There may be different styles of forks and spoons for the various dishes. You can also set out different glasses for the different beverages guests may consume.

Dinner Drinks: Water

Start with the table water. This is often provided in a large table jug complete with ice cubes and slices of lemon (or, if you’re being creative, float some fresh mint leaves in the water). Tall glasses may be left in the center of the table for guests to help themselves.

drinks - water on ice
Source: Flickr

Dinner Drinks: Wine

Wine glasses are commonly placed on the table before the meal begins. It’s up to you if you would like to pour the wine for guests to try the first glass. Reds, whites and rosés may all be served during the meal. However, sweeter wines like the rosé are often left until the dessert course. Of course, there are times when something sweet works wonderfully well with a dish. Websites like www.wine.net/why-wine are handy for understanding which wines might be best for your dinner party.

drinks - red wine
Source: Flickr


Dinner Drinks: Cocktails

Cocktails may also be served at the table. Some curry houses offer a large range of cocktails on their menu. It is thought the sweetness and fruitiness of a cocktail could be the perfect starter for a spicy meal. Of course, it could be just a matter of taste. Cocktails at the beginning of a dinner party can help stimulate the appetite and get everyone in the mood for a flavorful meal. Common cocktails are made with rum, vodka or Schnapps spirits. Different fruit juices or sodas are blended with them to make a colorful, exotic drink. Different glasses are used, but tall glasses are often best.


Dinner Drinks: Soft Drinks

Soft drinks with the meal may be preferred by those who don’t like alcohol or need to drive. You can create alcohol-free punches from blended fruit juices and soda. Or you may be happy providing cans of fizzy pop. Freshly squeezed orange or apple juices can be very popular beverages to enjoy with many dishes. Even fruit teas can be enjoyed at the table!

drinks - coffee
Source: Flickr

Dinner Drinks: Coffee

Toward the end of the meal, you might want to offer coffees. There are different types of coffee that are enjoyed with or after dessert. Some are sweet, like a macchiato or cappuccino. Often a strong black coffee is preferred. It’s thought to kick-start the digestive process. Of course, when it’s close to bedtime, some of your guests may prefer a decaffeinated coffee or herbal tea. Alcoholic coffees can be popular too. What about warming a good brandy for those special guests? It can be the perfect drink to end the perfect evening.


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