TSUJIRI Matcha Tea Desserts
July 2nd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
TSUJIRI float (NT $150)
About TSUJIRI
This company was established in Taiwan last year and currently has three locations listed below. It utilizes matcha (Japanese green tea) in several forms through desserts and drinks. This brand is significantly more expensive than the average price of tea (~NT 30-50), but it’s worth splurging.
Review
I was browsing a food court (located at the basement of every department store) and TSUJIRI immediately drew my attention. A lot of people were waiting in line at a place that seemed to only sell one item, matcha. I was curious. There were a couple of tea shops within a few feet; why were people waiting in this line?
I got the TSUJIRI float with blended macha on the bottom, macha froyo and a scoop of red bean. I know this may not be everyone’s ideal dessert, but it was just what I needed. I understood why people were waiting in line and willing to pay 4x the price of a regular tea. It was delicious, full of flavor without being overly sweet. I can’t wait to go back! 
Interesting facts about matcha (taken from matcha’s wiki page)
- Pound-for-pound, matcha contains more antioxidants than blueberries, gojiberries, pomegranates, orange juice, and spinach.
- It can take up to one hour to grind 30 grams of matcha.
- The flavour of matcha is dominated by its amino acids. The highest grades of matcha have more intense sweetness and deeper flavour than the standard or coarser grades of tea harvested later in the year.
- The most famous matcha-producing regions are Uji in Kyoto, Nishio in Aichi, Shizuoka, and northern Kyūshū.
click to enlarge
Review: YOU BAR
May 27th, 2011 § 2 Comments
YOU BAR:
YOU BAR Review Summary:
Taste: My bar tasted good. It’s hard to complain since I chose the ingredients, but I would have liked more cherries.
Cost: $22 (includes shipping and the Groupon); Roughly $1.69 per bar (normally ~$3.50/bar)
Recommendation: The quality is good. It’s also really cool to choose the ingredients and have your own label. However, without the Groupon, it’s a bit pricey for my liking. If you have the money, you should give it a try!
Extended:
Earlier this month, there was a deal on Groupon (spend $10 for $25 on the YouBar website). I checked out the site and decided to give it a try.
They provide a wide selection of ingredients and a digital nutrition label on the same page which calculates every item you select. After, you can choose the name of your bar. I couldn’t think of anything more creative than “Sherene’s Bar.”
I ordered rushed shipping and then realized that they were also in Los Angeles. 13 bars arrived in a well cushioned box the next day. I wasn’t in THAT much of a rush, but it’s good to know they care about customer service. (Most people don’t make that a priority.)
Overall it was a good experience.
Ordering Process and Ingredient Choices:
Seven steps taken directly from the website.
Choose one or two
(We recommend selecting dates with any nut butter. The combination makes for a healthy custom energy bar that has excellently balanced nutrition and texture.)
(For a nutrition bar packed with more protein select extra protein and/or large bar at the top of the page.)
(For a nutrition bar high in omega 3 fatty acids we recommend adding organic flaxseeds.)
(Unless otherwise specified, all dried fruits and berries are unsweetened.)
(The addition of a sweetener will ensure a great texture for your protein bar. To keep down the sugar content of your nutrition bar, choose ‘Not Too Sweet’.)
(Unsweetened cocoa goes perfectly with any custom protein bar.)
(Customize the texture of your custom granola bar with these three great options.)
Choose one item, if desired:
(The All-One Vitamin Infusion is the perfect addition to any nutrition bar to ensure you get the vitamins needed to stay healthy.)
Special Requests
The Market at Santa Monica Place
May 22nd, 2011 § 1 Comment
photo taken from the Market site
photo taken from the Market site
The Market at Santa Monica Place had its grand opening yesterday. It’s a collection of artisan, gourmet vendors that sell all types of food items.
Despite having some of the best foods in Los Angeles, this market is the first of its kind. It reminds me of the ferry building market in San Francisco or Vancouver’s Granville Island market.
I’m excited it’s here and I hope it’s successful.
Here are the vendors taken directly from the site.
A sweet treat from the streets of Malibu, Beachy Cream brings its retro-chic, organic ice-cream sandwiches to The Market.
Made with the highest quality organic ingredients, the Cookie Guru bakes cookies that are crispy, yet chewy and gooey. These gourmet delights are paired with delicious flavored organic milk, which provides a unique twist on a classic pairing.
From Denmark to Venice to Santa Monica comes N’Ice Cream, superior gelato and sorbet made fresh every morning with organic ingredients and fresh seasonal fruits.
The brainchild of a French pastry artist and an accomplished Southern cook, The Gourmandise School of Sweets and Savories offers 3- and 4-hour classes, chef demonstrations, special events, cookbook signings and more.
Long-time favorite L.A. baker, Hans Röckenwagner, brings an enticing soufflé bar and a fresh selection of breads, pastries and more to The Market at Röckenwagner Bakery.
Join her celebrity clientele and experience a fresh take on floral design, including one-of-a-kind arrangements and fun classes, at Jenny Barker’s Magical Blooms.
At Benedetta, each holistic skincare formula is made in small batches using certified organic and biodynamic ingredients, many California grown.
This market, kitchen and café specializes in artisanal foods and farm-to-table cooking – and the results are always delicious. The Curious Palate features unusual culinary items from around the world.
Primi Al Mercato offers small plates of unusual and creative pastas and more, made fresh on the spot – to enjoy at The Market or take home – from Valentino’s Piero Selvaggio.
Joining Primi Al Mercato, acclaimed Santa Monica-based restauranteur Piero Selvaggio brings a second eatery to The Market called Norcino, meaning “The Butcher.” The concept combines charcuterie plates with premium cheeses that will be served in a sushi-inspired fashion.
A Westside favorite, groundwork coffee company brews certified organic, fairly traded, single origin and custom-blended coffees, including Banda Geisha, Black Gold, Bitches Brew and Angel City.
Artisan, gourmet chocolates – always handmade by the company’s French chocolatier – star in L’Artisan du Chocolat’s new location at The Market.
Experience this hip and eclectic wine shop and also discover unusual, beautifully packaged gifts. A tasting room adds to the excitement of this new location of the West Hollywood favorite, Venokado.
GILT Taste & Daily Gourmet
May 21st, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Introducing two gourmet food sites
#1 GILT Taste
Intro and screen shots taken from the Gilt Taste website.
What is Gilt Taste?
Gilt Taste is a marketplace of the best artisan ingredients and food products
that chefs use and love. It’s also an interactive magazine of original recipes and
thoughtful stories from chefs, experts and writers.
What’s Included
- One Spinach bolani
- One 16 oz jar of sweet jalapeno dipping sauce
- One 10.5 oz container of Garlic Mint Cheese spread
- One 10.5 oz container of Basil pesto
My Thoughts:
This website launched its beta version a few days ago. I like it because of the quality and the selection of products. It’s a great place to find high quality gourmet artisan ingredients for a semi-reasonable price. It all depends on how serious you take your food.
“Bolani for One” caught my eye because it was something familiar. I was happy to see it on the website because it is a great product, but the price was shocking. When I was living in the Bay Area, this company was at every farmer’s market. They sold the same items pictured here for $5 a piece. Though the containers of “what’s included” (above) show a slightly larger container size, normally 3-5 ounces less, it makes me question why this product is overpriced. Is it only because it’s on a gourmet website? It also makes me question whether all the items on the site are overpriced or just this one.
#2 Daily Gourmet
Intro and screen shot taken from the Daily Gourmet site.
Daily Gourmet features regular offers on delicious products from around the country and beyond. Offers usually last 3 days and the products are available in limited quantities. Members will be notified via email when new offers open – remember to act fast and tell your friends!
My Thoughts:
I like this website! It’s like Groupon, but for gourmet food. You will not be bombarded with emails, just the daily deal. They have great offers and introduce you to various local products across the country.
Tofu Pudding (dou hua)
May 16th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
dou hua from V.P. Tofu
When I tell people I’m vegetarian, one question always follows. What do you eat, tofu?
Why is tofu always the enemy? Tofu’s been nothing but amazing to me. I’ve had it in countless dishes- sautéed, fried, boiled, steamed, salty, sweet and spicy. It never disappoints.
A few years ago, V.P. Tofu opened in Monterey Park, Los Angeles. They make fresh tofu (medium, firm, fried) and soy milk (sweetened and unsweetened) daily. When I’m in the area, I go for the tofu pudding (dou hua). They sell 12 ounces for only $1.25.
Video shows you how much of a pain it is to make fresh soy milk and tofu. The music doesn’t help.
Dou hua is an Asian tofu dessert. It has a smooth silky texture and melts in your mouth. Traditionally, it’s served hot with a sweet ginger syrup. Typically, you can find this prepackaged in Asian supermarkets with the tofu and syrup separated or at dim sum restaurants.
One variation that you can’t find in the markets is the pandan flavored dou hua. V.P. only makes this on weekends. Pandan is a a green plant that has a distinct yet subtle flavor. The green color and flavor is found in Southeast Asian desserts and is often paired with coconut.
pandan flavored dou hua with coconut milk
If you are near a Chinatown or in the Los Angeles area, I suggest giving dou hua a chance. It’s good to try it and even better to try it fresh!
I don’t recommend following these instructions. Another How To link. I can guarantee that you will not enjoy dou hua. If you don’t have an Asian market near you, please wait till you (1) go to Asia or (2) go to a city that has dou hua available.
