Getting Gourmet Cuisine On Your Door Step

The only thing better than gourmet cuisine in a restaurant is the same meal delivered to your home. Yes, you can have your meal and it too.
There are two basic types of gourmet cuisine delivery methods. Some are local services. These are mostly located in larger metropolitan areas and make local deliveries in person. The other type offers nationwide service. The products are delivered by mail. Obviously, the expense and operating procedures of the two types are different. Furthermore, the types of foods available vary considerably from company to company. This is because the definition of gourmet food varies considerably as well. Some of the delivery services focus on foods that are more geared toward healthy living. Although gourmet food does not have to be bad for you, healthy nutrition values have never been considered a prerequisite for a food being considered gourmet food.
As it has in virtually every industry, the internet has had a major impact on the growth and popularity of gourmet food delivery services. The idea behind them is to make gourmet food available to us without even having to leave our homes. The internet has helped this process by being able to display pictures of the food as well as prices making online ordering easy and quick. The foods are usually prepared to some degree and arrive with specific instructions to complete the preparation.
The national mail services will often pack the foods in Styrofoam containers and pack them in dry ice. The whole package is then backed inside a second corrugated box for mailing. The amount of dry ice needed is carefully measured to insure that enough is included to see the product safely frozen to the doorstep of the purchaser. The foods are simply removed from the containers and the instructions followed for the thawing, heating, or further cooking of the food.
The national gourmet delivery services are usually very good about accepting responsibility for damage during shipping or any other mistake for which they are to blame. Refunds can be given with no problem. However, you should be aware that most will not consider a refund because the food was not what was expected or that the consumer simply did not like the meal. It is advisable to insure that the meal you select is what you want and that you are reasonably sure it is going to satisfy your discriminating palate. The companies have customer service departments to insure that you understand just what you are getting. If not, be sure to ask further questions.
Either by local delivery or national delivery, the gourmet food delivery services can provide an opportunity to taste and enjoy gourmet foods that may not be available in your local area. In many case, even if it is possible to find such treats locally, the other advantage is that you do not have to leave your home and go to a restaurant. Although the shipping and delivery costs make the food a bit expensive, it is still often a bargain when the extras of a night out are considered such as gas prices and tips at the restaurant.
Aazdak Alisimo writes about gourmet food delivery services available locally and across the nation for GourmetFoodDeliveryServices.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aazdak_Alisimo

Raw Food Restaurants Worldwide - Exploring Raw Food Restaurants for Taste & Nutrition

Raw Food Restaurants Are Increasing in Number Raw food restaurants have increased in number over the past 10 years, as more people seek healthier diets and lifestyles. Raw food restaurants serve no cooked foods. Instead, they serve an assortment of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains—including raw desserts, raw pizza, raw “lasagna” and more. Surprisingly, raw food tastes good—and best of all, it’s good for you.
Currently there are 95 raw food restaurants worldwide—however, this number also includes a handful of vegetarian restaurants that are partially raw (restaurants that serve both cooked and raw food selections).
Raw Food Restaurant Food PreparationRaw food restaurants use several tools to prepare food for customers: a food processor, a high-powered blender, juicers, and variable-temperature dehydrators, among others. Absolutely no microwaves, ovens, or stoves are used. This is done to preserve the live enzymes presents in all raw food. Live enzymes are destroyed when food is cooked beyond 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
Raw Food Gourmet ChefsThe raw food trend has picked up steam in recent months, spawning “gourmet raw food chefs” and raw food cooking schools. Even classic chefs are visiting raw food restaurants to discover a cuisine that offers surprising diversity, flavor and texture.
Popular Raw Food RestaurantsSome of the more well-known raw food restaurants include Juliano’s Raw in Santa Monica, California. Juliano’s Raw was one of the first raw food restaurants to open its doors. Other well-known raw food restaurants include Pure Food & Wine in New York City, and Café Gratitude in San Francisco, California.
For a free list of raw food restaurants, be sure to request your copy of The Raw Food Restaurant Guide. The Raw Food Restaurant Guide includes up-to-date listings of raw food restaurants, plus where to buy organic produce when traveling.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Rutherford

Is Your Dog Happy With That Store-Bought Processed Dog Food?

The health and happiness of our dogs is of upmost importance to dog owners. But how can you help your dog to be healthy? One of the easiest ways is to avoid processed dog food.
Most dog food is highly processed. What you can usually buy at the pet store or grocery store is highly processed food. Even premium and prescription dog food is usually highly processed. People know that food that is processed isn't as healthy for you and that it doesn't taste as good. Well, the same is true of dog food.
So if you want to avoid highly processed dog food, what are your options? Many pet stores are starting to carry natural food. While these may be more expensive, they give you peace of mind because you know that the food is good for your dog. As an added benefit, for your dog at least, the food probably tastes better too.
Another option is to make your own dog food. Recipes for dog food run from basic to gourmet. Basic recipes require a minimal amount of ingredients and require only a few minutes to prepare. Some of the more gourmet recipes are a little more expensive and (quite frankly) sound so appetizing that you may consider eating them yourself.
Keep your dog happy and healthy. Try to avoid processed dog food. Buying natural food is one option. Another option, which can be the most cost effective, is to find recipes and make food for your dog on your own.
Mike Thomas provides free dog food recipes and other tips to keep your dog healthy on his website.
Stop by and sign up for his free newsletter and you will receive free recipes and other tips to keep your dog happy and healthy dog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_M_Thomas

Gourmet Foods For Every Occasion

Enjoying fine food is definitely one of the pleasures of life. There is so much fast food and bland tasting dishes today because of the lack of time to really prepare food right, that when you do get to enjoy gourmet fine food, it's a special treat.
So what makes any food or drink qualify to be called "gourmet"?
Well, in general it means that a particular food or drink is considered above average in quality, and will appeal even to those who have the most discriminating tastes. It also usually means that a lot of time and effort has gone into it's preparation too.
What comes to mind when you think of gourmet foods? Here is a list of many fine foods and beverages that can be found in the gourmet food category:
1. Coffees - Gourmet coffees include many exotic coffee blends from around the world and flavored coffees. Frequently you can get a nice mixture of various gourmet coffees that allow you to sample them before buying more of each kind.
2. Teas - There are several specialty teas from all over the world that qualify to be called gourmet tea.They can be either green, black, oolong or herbal teas. Again, you can often get sampler packs of these exotic teas to try them out first.
3. Chocolates - Whether milk, dark or white chocolate,gourmet chocolate assortments often come with fruit, nuts, and cream centers that are just incredibly delicious.
4. Caviar - If you really want to taste the good life, enjoy any of the various kinds of caviar, from the American Golden to the Russian Dark variety. Of course this is one type of gourmet food that can get really pricey fast, but there is a caviar for pretty much any budget if you look carefully enough.
5. Seafood - There are lots of seafoods that have been specially prepared as gourmet foods including smoked herring, oysters, shrimp and lobster rolls and bisques. There's lots more in this category too and again you can often get samplers for taste testing in advance.
6. Fish - Some of the favorite gourmet fish foods are salmon, tuna, and halibut.
7. Meats - This is one of the largest gourmet categories and lately has become very popular. Entries in this field include ribs, roasts, steaks, and even some dried and cured meats.
8. Poultry - There are any number of gourmet foods prepared with chicken, but duck and turkey is also top favorites for special dishes.
So where can you use gourmet foods? Almost any special occasion is a good time to include gourmet foods, drinks, or desserts on the menu. Everything from intimate dinners for two to large social gatherings are all acceptable places to include the delicious taste of gourmet foods to help make that occasion truly special and unforgettable.
Thankfully, the internet makes shopping for gourmet foods quick and easy. There is a large selection available in all of the categories listed above, and when ordered, modern shipping techniques allow you to receive gourmet foods through the mail in short order and in fresh condition. So why not sample a few gourmet foods today and start enjoying some of the finer pleasures of life?
Duane Smith - All About Gourmet Foods is a site that provides free information and resources for gourmet foods like chocolate, fish and seafood, caviar, gourmet meat and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Duane_Smith

Does Gourmet Cat Food Really Taste Better?

In recent years, there has been a serious surge in the production of so called "premium" or "gourmet" cat food, and people are beginning to wonder if these more expensive brands on the market are actually worth all the hype, and of course the money. These gourmet brands are meant to taste more lavish than the traditional products found in the average supermarket. Gourmet cat food sales are increasing at a very fast rate in an industry that is consistently evolving to produce higher quality products. The question that pet owners need to ask is whether the additional cost of these luxury products is really worth it?
One of the primary reasons why there is such an increase in demand for these products is because consumers are looking for products that are closer to the quality of home prepared foods. Current research is supporting that inferior ingredients in cat food can be detrimental to the health of the cat more and more people are looking for healthier alternatives. Many gourmet brands are touting the ability to provide high quality, natural cat food products based on ingredients that are more wholesome than traditional commercially prepared foods.
Every year we seem to see an increase in cat disease, obesity and other serious issues which can now be rectified to a degree by the healthfulness of gourmet cat food products. Most so-called gourmet products come in smaller packages which tend to discourage over feeding in order to fight obesity. These small packages are attractive both to consumers who are looking for dietary management, and for those who are looking for convenience when feeding their pets.
Many pet food brands, like Purina for example, offer a variety of different types of gourmet cat food these include "Fancy Feast" and "Gourmet Gold" for example. These brands claim to be restaurant quality, and come in a variety of different types and choices. The obvious benefit to the manufacturer is that they can demand a higher price for these luxury products. This is by putting increased care into the design, presentation and manufacturing of the food the company can fetch increased profits. Because consumers know the products are of a higher quality, they are generally willing to pay more.
There seems to be an implied understanding that the higher price means the higher quality when it comes to food products. This is not completely true, because gourmet cat food is not always offering a healthy balanced diet. The more common, discount brands can still create a balanced and healthy diet when mixed with the right ingredients. Cat owners should not assume that the gourmet brands are necessarily better.
Instead, they should consult their veterinarian to appraise which brand and food is ideal for each individual cat's needs. This is the most ideal way to determine which type will best suit your cat's requirements nutritionally. While improved taste may be the greatest feature of many of these products, gourmet cat food does not necessarily mean it contains improved nutrition.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For advice on pet food, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of cat supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers

Holiday Gift Baskets

Holiday gift baskets are a preferred choice for most occasions, Christmas, birthday, anniversary and Thanksgiving.
Let your friends and loved ones savor your thoughtfulness with a holiday gift.
Corporate holiday gift baskets range from elegant wine and gourmet baskets to simple gifts. You can select a corporate gift basket that is elegant and speaks volumes of your taste or or a Savory snack gift basket would be a great gift as well.
For a gift basket for corporate clients, you can pick a holly and pine basket with hot cocoa mixes, biscotti bites, cinnamon cookies and Irish whiskey cake. Select gift baskets with fresh almonds and pistachios.
These are exciting presentations for corporate holiday gift baskets, and will leave an lasting impression on the recipient. You can also Select gourmet food gift baskets to send across to your friends for the holiday season.
Surprise your friends with a gourmet holiday gift basket designed with beautiful silk floral accents and ribbons. Chocolate gourmet gift baskets are an all-time favorite with all. You can choose from assorted baskets with different varieties of chocolates, milk, toffee, hazelnut, almond and more!
La Tunya Sifford is an award winning gift basket designer, she has an online gift basket website where she created beautiful custom designs for all occasions. You can view more infomation about Holiday Gift Baskets at http://www.fullmoongiftbaskets.com/holiday_gift_baskets.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=La_Tunya_Sifford

Gourmet Cooking - Handy Butane Stoves For Effortless Cooking!

Preparing gourmet food with the help of butane stoves provides quite a trial by fire. If faced with such a dicey situation, how would you go ahead and prepare tasty meals in order to make a great impact on your family and friends? The word gourmet, when carefully studied, refers to food that is made painstakingly and skillfully and of a high quality. It is gently prepared at the proper temperature and served in an attractive manner. Now that things are clear, you certainly can attempt preparing gourmet food on handy butane stoves.
Prepare in Advance and Excel
For you to emerge successful in this endeavor, a number of crucial factors have to be taken into account. In the first place, you need to have a suitable recipe to prepare. It is very likely that you may wish to locate all the recipes that can be attempted over the open fire. After this, you may wish to experiment with them. Cooking gourmet food on handy butane stoves is not as simple as it looks, but a little bit of effort and actually trying them out is all it takes for you to for you to excel in any kind of gourmet cooking using a butane stove.
Always bear in mind that you should have a butane stove that is of the finest quality. You may wish to purchase something that is durable and is very convenient for you to use, ensuring the correct cooking temperature is maintained and prevent food from being excessively done. Usually, getting used to cooking on the butane stove takes a certain amount of time, before one excels in making delicious food using it.
Lastly, you need to have suitable equipment to deal with the task in hand. In order to cook gourmet food with a butane stove, you need to have proper cooking utensils, as well as a good quality thermometer you can locate.
This is your most precious tool, as you can prepare food effortlessly, recognizing the exact moment when the right temperature is attained, thus ensuring your food is properly done. You should stock the herbs you require and use them liberally to turn any uninteresting meal into fabulous rich one. You are also required to have suitable cooking pans and pots for using on these grids to ensure the proper consistency is attained and you dish looks truly wonderful.
If you wish to prove your mettle by attempting to cook gourmet food using a handy butane stove, then the ideal approach is to meet it head on. You may well appreciate the superiority and the know-how of the resources available on the web, which assist you in selecting the best recipe and supply you with the necessary cooking instructions. With this invaluable support, cooking gourmet food using handy butane stove turns out to be simple and pleasurable task.
Abhishek is a cooking enthusiast! Visit his website http://www.cooking-guru.com/ and download his FREE Cooking Report "Master Chef Secrets" and learn some amazing Cooking tips and tricks for FREE! Learn how to create the perfect meal on a shoe-string budget. And yes, you get to keep all the accolades! But hurry, only limited Free copies available! http://www.cooking-guru.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

Gourmet Cooking Secrets!

Gourmet cooking is not really hard, you just need to know the basics.
Gourmet food is served in fine restaurants and is made with only the best ingredients. The recipes are often complex, or they give the illusion of being complex because of the flavors. Gourmet chefs often experiment with ingredients. They find new and innovative ways to serve old favorites. And more than anything, they create a pleasant dining experience for their guests.
But what a lot of people do not realize is that you can cook gourmet foods at home. The basic steps to cooking gourmet are no different than those to prepare home cooked meals. The only difference is that when cooking gourmet foods, you may need to go to specialty stores to find ingredients, but this is not always the case. Here are some things you can do to learn how to start out with gourmet cooking.
VISIT GOURMET RESTAURANTS
Visiting gourmet restaurants can go a long way to help you understand what gourmet food is all about. When you visit, bring a notebook so you can jot down your impressions. Or, you can just simply remember what you observe. Here are some things to look for:
· The Menu
The menu is a great place to go for inspiration. What kinds of foods are on the menu? How do they describe what they are serving? What ingredients are being used in the foods? How is that different from the things that you normally cook?
· The Ingredients
Take a closer look at the ingredients after your initial observations. Are there some things that appear in several of the dishes? What are they?
· Creativity and Personal Style
You may start to notice that the dishes all have commonalities. This is the chef's personal style and how he or she expresses creativity.
· How does your food look?
Once you place an order and get your food, make a note of the appearance. How are the colors? How is it arranged on the plate? With gourmet food, appearance is just as important as the recipes and the ingredients.
· How does your food taste?
How does the food taste? Did the chef do a good job making the food unique? Is it flavorful?
Using your observations you can slowly begin to apply these principals to your own cooking at home.
FIND THE BEST INGREDIENTS
Gourmet chefs spend a long time looking for only the best ingredients. They tend to feature seasonal foods on their menus and only purchase things that are fresh, beautiful, and flavorful. They build their dishes around the ingredients and not the other way around. Here are some tips for finding the best ingredients:
· Seasonal
Think about what is in season. If tomatoes are in season, for example, you may want to find a way to accentuate those flavors by creating a salad or a pasta dish.
· Farmer's markets
Farmer's markets are a great place to go for fresh ingredients. These go from the ground to the market with little transport time. This means that anything you find at these places is likely high in flavor.
· Gourmet food shops
There are a lot of gourmet food shops scattered around the world. Here, you can find those special ingredients and spices that will make your food unique.
· Regular markets
Don't ignore your local market for finding ingredients. More and more people are starting to cook gourmet foods in the home and the supermarkets are starting to understand that there is a demand for it.
Once you find the ingredients that you need, you can start creating your own gourmet foods.
Still looking for information on Gourmet Cooking Videos?
Check out MyCookingVideos.info a website specializing in FREE cooking videos!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Batson

Gourmet Baby Gift Baskets

Gourmet baby gift baskets are perfect gifts at the birth of a baby or for a baby shower. These are specially designed in dark colors and beautiful designs to make them more attractive to babies. Gourmet baby gift baskets are available separately for boys and girls. These are elegantly decorated and come in specific themes.
Gourmet baby gift baskets can be filled with Italian biscotti, assorted fine Belgian milk and dark chocolates, cake slices, foil-wrapped chocolates, fudge brownie mini's, frosted heart cut-outs, butter and chocolate spritz cookies, pecan cinnamon drop cookies, and butter crisp cookies; these baskets are a popular favorite. Special gourmet baby gift baskets with different kinds of brownies and jelly beans (in pink or blue) are also available. Gourmet baby gift baskets ideal for expressing congratulations are other choice items. In addition to chocolates and cookies, these baskets are stuffed with great things including baby blankets, baby bottles, photo frames, teddy bears, musical stuffed animals, toys, and other desirable items.
A huge selection of gourmet baby gift baskets are offered for sale in different price ranges to suit everyone's budget and taste. You will get plenty of choices of gourmet baby gift baskets from under $20 to over $100. This helps the customer to find a gift suitable for the occasion.
Gourmet baby gift baskets look appetizing with the ingredients contributing to a perfect presentation. You can also order custom designed gourmet baby gift baskets.
Gourmet baby gift baskets can be ordered online. Most of the online retailers provide delivery services and ship the product almost anywhere. Each gourmet baby gift basket comes in a nicely gift wrapped packaging. Hand-delivery is also provided by most of the gift stores.
Baby Gift Baskets provides detailed information on Baby Gift Baskets, Baby Shower Gift Baskets, Baby Boy Gift Baskets, Baby Girl Gift Baskets and more. Baby Gift Baskets is affiliated with Baby Shower Gifts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan

An Introduction To Gourmet Coffee

Over five hundred billion cups of coffee are consumed each year making it the most popular drink on this earth. For centuries, this aromatic, spirit-lifting drink has been the beverage to serve at any and all events. Many board meetings and friendships have thrived over a cup of coffee. Extracted from the seed of cherries growing on coffee trees, coffee is grown extensively in fifty-three countries across the equator.
Specialty gourmet coffee is very popular among coffee drinkers today. As a matter of fact, statistic show that it is one of the fastest growing food retailers netting approximately $8.5 billion a year. People enjoy the taste of the sophisticated beans used in the making of this delightful gourmet drink. The beans are grown at very high altitudes on Arabic trees and feed on volcanic ash. A cool climate and lots of moisture result in a high quality bean group. The soil the beans are grown in produces the very distinct flavors of the gourmet beans. Gourmet coffee has a more balanced flavor and richer taste than the standard mass-produced coffee. The beans go through a rigorous process of certification that is very strict to help keep the quality high. To help keep standards high, the Specialty Coffee Association of American was created in 1982, for the specialty coffee trade.
You can find gourmet coffee in most grocery stores, specialty shops, restaurants and coffee shops. If you are a true connoisseur, you might compare gourmet coffee to a wonderful bottle of wine.
Gourmet Coffee provides detailed information on Gourmet Coffee, Gourmet Coffee Beans, Gourmet Flavored Coffee, Decaf Gourmet Coffee and more. Gourmet Coffee is affiliated with Gourmet Coffee.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Valentino

Holiday Gift Baskets

Holiday gift baskets are a preferred choice for most occasions, Christmas, birthday, anniversary and Thanksgiving.
Let your friends and loved ones savor your thoughtfulness with a holiday gift.
Corporate holiday gift baskets range from elegant wine and gourmet baskets to simple gifts. You can select a corporate gift basket that is elegant and speaks volumes of your taste or or a Savory snack gift basket would be a great gift as well.
For a gift basket for corporate clients, you can pick a holly and pine basket with hot cocoa mixes, biscotti bites, cinnamon cookies and Irish whiskey cake. Select gift baskets with fresh almonds and pistachios.
These are exciting presentations for corporate holiday gift baskets, and will leave an lasting impression on the recipient. You can also Select gourmet food gift baskets to send across to your friends for the holiday season.
Surprise your friends with a gourmet holiday gift basket designed with beautiful silk floral accents and ribbons. Chocolate gourmet gift baskets are an all-time favorite with all. You can choose from assorted baskets with different varieties of chocolates, milk, toffee, hazelnut, almond and more!
La Tunya Sifford is an award winning gift basket designer, she has an online gift basket website where she created beautiful custom designs for all occasions. You can view more infomation about Holiday Gift Baskets at http://www.fullmoongiftbaskets.com/holiday_gift_baskets.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=La_Tunya_Sifford

Raw Food Restaurants Worldwide - Exploring Raw Food Restaurants for Taste & Nutrition

Raw Food Restaurants Are Increasing in Number Raw food restaurants have increased in number over the past 10 years, as more people seek healthier diets and lifestyles. Raw food restaurants serve no cooked foods. Instead, they serve an assortment of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains—including raw desserts, raw pizza, raw “lasagna” and more. Surprisingly, raw food tastes good—and best of all, it’s good for you.
Currently there are 95 raw food restaurants worldwide—however, this number also includes a handful of vegetarian restaurants that are partially raw (restaurants that serve both cooked and raw food selections).
Raw Food Restaurant Food PreparationRaw food restaurants use several tools to prepare food for customers: a food processor, a high-powered blender, juicers, and variable-temperature dehydrators, among others. Absolutely no microwaves, ovens, or stoves are used. This is done to preserve the live enzymes presents in all raw food. Live enzymes are destroyed when food is cooked beyond 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
Raw Food Gourmet ChefsThe raw food trend has picked up steam in recent months, spawning “gourmet raw food chefs” and raw food cooking schools. Even classic chefs are visiting raw food restaurants to discover a cuisine that offers surprising diversity, flavor and texture.
Popular Raw Food RestaurantsSome of the more well-known raw food restaurants include Juliano’s Raw in Santa Monica, California. Juliano’s Raw was one of the first raw food restaurants to open its doors. Other well-known raw food restaurants include Pure Food & Wine in New York City, and Café Gratitude in San Francisco, California.
For a free list of raw food restaurants, be sure to request your copy of The Raw Food Restaurant Guide. The Raw Food Restaurant Guide includes up-to-date listings of raw food restaurants, plus where to buy organic produce when traveling.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Rutherford

Gourmet Food Experience

Gourmet foods are probably one of the most talked about food items and least understood. I have to ask myself all the time what separates the gourmet foods from the regulars? Some persons view? Marketing dollars perhaps? Some people make the foolish claim that they don’t actually like gourmet foods. To each their own I assume but how does one make such a broad based comment? There are virtually hundreds of foods that come under gourmet foods. Some people make this claim mainly because they have not tasted enough varieties of gourmet foods. The list of gourmet foods includes meats, drinks, deserts, cheese, fruits and many more. In fact, gourmet foods are considered to be a delicacy that tastes heavenly.
The moment a mention of gourmet food is made, one usually thinks of cheese. However, remember that not all cheese are alike; gourmet cheese is not at all like American and Cheddar cheese that you always eat in the eateries and at home. The gourmet cheese, Agour Ossau-Iraty is a cheese that is made from sheep’s milk in Poland. The 34 Degrees Australian marinated feta is produced in Israel and is made from the milk of goat and sheep with some spices. As there are numerous varieties to gourmet cheese, it proves to be rather difficult to choose the right cheese to consume. Take a tip and make it a point to smell the cheese before buying it. What smells good to you is most likely going to taste good to you as well.
Deserts and sweets are another important part of gourmet foods which includes cakes, candies, chocolate and cookies. You find a variety of cakes for you to choose from like chocolate, lemon, cheesecakes, sponge cakes and raspberry cakes. You can also find gourmet cookies that can be either plain, decorated by look and is available in variety of flavors. You can create or use your own toppings to make your dessert really a gourmet desert. Some suggestions for a topping are honey, syrups, jellies, jams and spreads. These toppings are all available at home or can be bought in the grocery store but really do enhance the taste of your gourmet foods.
Exotic tasting coffee and tea is another form of well known food. You can choose between loose tea and tea bags, ground coffee or whole beans or a chilly frappuccino; you are sure to find a gourmet drink out there for you. Not only these gourmet drinks, they are also the right choice for the extra energy that you will need to fight the cold on a winter’s day. Great tasting coffee and tea are great for complementing an excellent meal. You can choose between the coffees you like. Biscotti are a great choice with coffee which taste great on its own or when dipped in tea, coffee, milk, wine or cappuccino. There are various flavors for you to choose from in biscotti ranging from hazelnut, gingerbread, chocolate and many others.
If you love meat, then there are also numerous options in meat for gourmet food like Angus beef strip steaks, escargot, hot salami, caviar, free range turkey, Danish brown sugar slab bacon, pheasant and many other options in meat as a gourmet food. As you can see, there is a great choice for you in gourmet food, which will definitely meet the reason of the occasion for gourmet food. It is possible to even gift gourmet foods from a gourmet food store, catalogue or online. However it is sure that once you try gourmet food, you are sure to get hooked on to its taste.
Irene has been servicing the Health and Wellness industry since graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 1982. Through her professional experiences in primarily the Physical Therapy field (presently working) she has gathered deep understandings on nutrition, exercise and overall healthy programs to share with her readers and clients of Planet Berry LLC. To learn more on Irene or Planet Berry please visit their corporate web site at http://www.planetberries.com/ or email at info@planetberries.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irene_Levy

Easy Gourmet Recipes

People constantly ask me what’s the best source of easy gourmet recipes? Finding new recipes should not be a tiresome task. Easy gourmet recipes are the lifeblood of making great cooking easy and fast. I always recommend having multiple sources of recipes to really get a good understanding of how to vary a dish. Here are my three favorite sources of new easy gourmet recipes:
1. Websites – Two of my favorites are The Reluctant Gourmet and Easy Gourmet Recipes
2. Magazines – There are many good ones I recommend Food and Wine, Bon Appétit and Gourmet Magazines.
3. TV Shows – Some of my favorites Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals and Robin Miller’s Quick Fix Meals
Good websites are a great source of gourmet recipes and related tips, links and material to make the process easier. Magazines are a convenient source that you can take anywhere and view at a moments notice. TV shows are a great way to visually see the recipe being made and see how a cook will vary the recipe. Integrating all these sources into your search coupled with your favorite cookbook will greatly accelerate your learning.
Keep a constant watch for new recipes that you find interesting in multiple sources. This will be a great help in your development as a cook. This habit will help you pick up tips and ideas that will really help you in the kitchen. Finding just one easy gourmet recipe a week will really broaden your knowledge and accelerate your capability and enjoyment in the kitchen. Your family will be amazed at your new found confidence in the kitchen. Being more confident in the kitchen will make the experience more fun for you.
Hugo Felix is a cooking and time specialist specializing in making great cooking easy. To learn more about him visit The Minute Gourmet. For some lively discussion on making great cooking easy also visit Hugo’s blog.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hugo_Felix

Gourmet Coffee Gift Baskets

Are you planning to surprise a friend with a delightful gift? Do you want your gift to have personal touches that will reflect the personality of your friend? Find out what he or she likes and search for a gift basket that he or she will surely love! So you think she loves coffee? No problem; give her a gourmet coffee gift basket.
Gourmet gifts have been so popular over the years that many varieties are available, including gourmet coffee. Hence, if you’re thinking of giving someone a basket of fresh roasted coffee and other gourmet coffee treats, there’ll be no hassle at all. You can buy gourmet coffee gift baskets in different brands and types—flavored coffee, organic, or decaf coffee. Your gourmet coffee gift basket may also include coffee flavorings and mixes like coffee syrups.
With gourmet coffee gift baskets, you have wide choice regarding the gift that you give. You also have the liberty to include what other coffee treats you want in there. Whether you want holiday coffee flavors or other coffee compliments like coffee and espresso makers, teapots, French presses and filters, gourmet candy and cakes, or home coffee grinders.
Choosing a gourmet coffee gift basket need not be hard on your part; there are many manufacturers and distributors of such gift items. You just have to know the right information about such gift baskets and have the right resources. The internet alone offers hundreds of gourmet gift basket sites that offer gourmet coffee gift baskets and information about them; you will find store locations, shipping costs and agreements, basket arrangements and prices, etc. Magazines and printed materials about gourmet gifts will also offer the same information.
Gourmet Gift Baskets provides detailed information on Gourmet Gift Baskets, Gourmet Coffee Gift Baskets, Gourmet Fruit Gift Baskets, Affordable Gourmet Gift Baskets and more. Gourmet Gift Baskets is affiliated with Gourmet Meat Gifts.
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A Review of the Homemade Gourmet Income Opportunity

If you believe that there will always be a market for good food and that people are always interested in filling up their stomachs, Homemade Gourmet might be just the program for you!. With an intriguing mix of social opportunity and excellent food, many people have used Homemade Gourmet to do everything from make a few books to start a whole new career. If you are in a position where you would like to make some extra spending money, take a look at what Homemade Gourmet has to offer.
Homemade Gourmet is essentially a recipe, food mix and soup base provider, but it actually goes a lot further than that. This company has made a name for itself in the field of inexpensive and delicious cuisine that can be prepared in the home, and as such it has an existing customer base and a long reputation to trade on. For people who are looking for an opportunity that offers a little more stability than the average start up MLM company, this might one of the more interesting opportunities that they have to offer.
Essentially, when someone decides to work with Homemade Gourmet, they are not an employee; instead they are a distributor, and, as such, they will purchase a distributor kit and then use that to sell Homemade Gourmet products. While Homemade Gourmet provides a very loose work structure for distributors, this can be ideal for the person who is looking to work precisely when they choose to.
As a Homemade Gourmet representative, you will give presentations at homes, conferences and work places and show off the different recipes and ready made food that can be regularly ordered. One of the best reasons to get involved with Homemade Gourmet is that allows you to do a great deal of socialization and to really talk with people and address their needs. For people who are naturally gregarious, this is an excellent opportunity and for people who are a bit more shy, this can be a great way to climb out of their shell.
Homemade Gourmet has many people who are excellent distributors but prior to working for the company have never made a sale in their lives. With experience comes grace, and you will realize that this is something that will soon become second nature if you work at it. This position is well suited to someone who has already used Homemade Gourmet and enjoys it a great deal; remember that when selling something, passion is very important. Homemade Gourmet has a great deal to offer, so do some investigating and see if this opportunity is for you!
Brian Garvin and Jeff West are the owners of http://www.joinbrianandjeff.com/ . This website specializes in showing small and medium sized business owners the techniques and pitfalls regarding what it takes to make true, long-term, walk-away residual income. Free Insider Report!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Garvin

Gourmet Dark Chocolate - a Luxury Treat at Its Finest

What is the finest type of chocolate? Gourmet dark chocolate, of course.
Dark chocolate has the richest flavor of any other chocolate products. The reason is actually quite simple. As the name implies, "dark" chocolate does have a darker look than regular chocolate. The difference in appearance is due to the higher concentration of cocoa that it contains. The extra amount of cocoa is what gives gourmet dark chocolate its extra rich taste and flavor.
Gourmet dark chocolate has a harder texture compared to regular chocolate, but it is still smooth. A characteristic that gourmet dark chocolate is known for is snapping when you break it instead of bending or crumbling, which often happens with non-gourmet chocolates.
Bars are the most popular gourmet dark chocolate items, but other products are available as well. Gourmet boxed chocolates, truffles, clusters, and hot cocoa mixes are all made in dark chocolate varieties. Many gourmet gift sets include also dark chocolate items.
Gourmet dark chocolate has recently become more popular due to the health benefits that have been found to be associated with it. Medical studies have found that small servings may have beneficial effects on blood pressure and prevention of heart disease. These same effects are not found with milk chocolate or white chocolate, only the dark variety.
So if you are looking for the finest type of chocolate around, look no further than gourmet dark chocolate. For it's rich and smooth flavor and potential health benefits, it is the finest choice in gourmet chocolates.
Learn more about gourmet dark chocolate Get information on different types of gourmet chocolate including gourmet dark chocolate, hot chocolate, and gifts by just clicking on the link at http://www.finegourmetchocolate.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amanda_Taylor

Gourmet Foods Are Everywhere

The number of companies selling items labeled "gourmet" is increasing rapidly, particularly gourmet food items. At one time, getting gourmet food meant going to an expensive, upscale restaurant and giving over a week's worth of pay for your dinner! Now, you can get gourmet foods from your local grocery store and from countless online retailers, and even through several direct sales companies who come into your home to give taste testing parties for you and your friends. Home taste testing parties are extremely fun and you get to try the foods before you buy, which makes it easier to decide what you want. What exactly is "gourmet" food, and how is it that everything from soup to nuts to brownies have been given the label "gourmet"? The actual definition of the word gourmet isn't food at all; it's: a person who is devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment, especially good food and drink. We typically refer to foods themselves as gourmet now, rather than the people who enjoy these good edibles! "Gourmet" seems to have become the catch-all phrase used to describe foods that taste good, and that are considered to be of higher than average quality. We also might label foods gourmet if they are hard to find. Does your grocery store offer gourmet-to-go? These are dinners you can take home and serve instantly- that are designed to taste like you made it yourself. Roasted chicken and seafood dinners are commonly offered through the grocery gourmet food section. Gourmet in this case simply means it's going to taste good- and the idea is it's better than your typical fast food stop. Actually, gourmet foods are all around us, and they give us great and simple gift giving opportunities! People often bring food to house warming parties, or to give the host when invited to dinner. Grab a gift basket of gourmet goodies and your host will be extremely appreciative of the gesture. If you bring dessert items, you may even get to taste them after dinner is served! Packaged gourmet foods, like nuts, snacks and cheese make great gifts for all types of occasions. They typically come pre-packaged in attractive packaging, and many can be found in gift baskets which saves you time since you don't have to wrap them before giving. Some foods labeled gourmet are actually boxed mixes that you then add other ingredients to, or cook with, in order to create the finished product. You can find gourmet brownie mixes, sauces and marinades, and even soups. A popular cooking show on the food network often uses these packaged items to make "almost homemade" meals- but the use of these gourmet packaged goods make it much faster to bring the dinner to the table- giving you more time to enjoy with your family and less time standing in the kitchen. From coffee to dessert- and everything in between, you can now enjoy gourmet versions of all your favorite foods simply by looking up gourmet foods online or making a quick stop to your local grocery store's gourmet section.
Debra L. Dragon writes for http://hoppyshopper.com about Gourmet Foods and a variety of consumer interest topics.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_L._Dragon

Gourmet Food Baskets - From Smoked Salmon to Strawberry Preserves

Do you want to give gourmet food baskets to your family, friends, or even your business clients? There has never been a time when it has been so easy to find gourmet food baskets in a variety of choices and in every price range. With the internet, you literally have thousands of gift choices. You may even get a little overwhelmed with all of the choices-should you get the flavored oils and pasta basket, or the breakfast basket with homemade scones? Choosing gourmet food baskets just takes a little research-but the choices are definitely out there.
When you are choosing gourmet food baskets you need to think carefully about the recipient or recipients. Are you giving the basket to a young child who is just learning to cook? Do you want to give a basket that has all ready to eat foods, or do you want to send a basket that requires some cooking? Are you giving it as a shower gift or is it in recognition for a job well done? It is very important that you research carefully so that you do not commit a social or business faux pas by giving inappropriate food baskets (such as giving meat to a vegetarian.) You can find gourmet food baskets with everything from homemade cookies or hand-dipped chocolates to flavored popcorn, to cheeses, to smoked seafood. It is also fun to find baskets that include cooking tools and gadgets as well as a cookbook thrown in.
Gourmet food baskets can be given as a one-time offering or they can be given on a regular basis (such as a “basket of the month” club.) The monthly baskets (or bi-monthly or quarterly) can seem a bit pricey overall, but when you divide it over time, it is not so costly. These types of gifts are usually more appropriate for family and friends rather than a business associate or a client.
Choosing the company that sells the food basket is almost as important as the contents of the baskets. Your reputation may depend on the quality of the basket, so choose carefully and shop around.
Eriani Doyel writes articles about Food and Gifts. For more information about gourmet food baskets visit =>http://www.foodax.com
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Difference in Chocolate Fudge Candy and Gourmet Chocolate Fudge

Gourmet Chocolate Fudge differs from normal Chocolate Fudge Candy due to the ingredients used and the production process.
The definition of Gour-met is “a connoisseur of fine food and drink”. A gourmet is a person with discriminating taste in food and wine.
Therefore, we would expect that Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Candy would taste better and in today’s society would also cost more.
Chocolate differences are based on the level of cocoa content, the cocoa origin and the craftsmanship involved in the chocolate making process.
The color will be consistent throughout in Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Candy. It will be creamy, extremely smooth, have a glossy appearance that is not marred by streaks and dots, is soft when you bite it, will break but not splinter and is most definitely not brittle. Gourmet Chocolate will have a rich aroma of cocoa.
Normal Chocolate Fudge Candy will be hard, brittle and when you let it melt in your mouth it will be a little grainy. It may splinter in your mouth when you bite it. You may also notice that it is a little white on the edges.
Makers of Gourmet Chocolate by and large use real chocolate liquor and only or mostly cocoa butter, while mass market producers of normal Chocolate Fudge use chemicals and substitutions for the chocolate liquor and only some coca butter and supplement with other types of fats. Making chocolate liquor is a very time consuming and expensive process which raises the cost of making the chocolate.
Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Candy also provides a number of health benefits. This kind of candy will have essential elements of calcium, potassium, iron and vitamins A, B1, C, D and E. Gourmet Chocolate also has high levels of chromium which has been shown to help control blood sugar.
Hope this helps when you are purchasing your next gourmet chocolate fudge candy for yourself or as a chocolate gift for someone else.
For some great tasting gourmet chocolate selections visit: Gourmet Chocolate Fudge Candy
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Beem

Gourmet Food

A Gourmet is someone who has expert knowledge and enjoyment of food and drink. It follows therefore, that gourmet food relates to the preparation of high quality food that is at once urbane, luxurious, rare and carefully groomed.
This elaborate description would create visions of delicacies, intricately prepared and laid out for the epicure to indulge in with abounding decadence. Fact is, gourmet food is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette. Presentation is meticulously planned and executed so that the senses can be tantalized and eating becomes a completely self-absorbing act.
Now getting down to basics, here are some delectable examples of foods that qualify as gourmet. Say them out aloud and savor the sound of it: smoked salmon, foie gras; pate, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats, oil; vinegar, cheese, chocolates.
Caviars: gourmet food stores offer an unmistakable selection of top notch caviar including Beluga, Sevruga and Ostra caviars and a broad assortment of Russian, Iranian and American caviars. Most genuine gourmet food stores meet strict import and quality standards and the goods come with a freshness guarantee.
Condiments: good condiments are quintessential to a good meal. Exotic spices and herbs from the European countryside create a heady combination of aroma and taste. Spanish saffron, mustards, cinnamon and cloves, some dill and rosemary will embellish a myriad of appetizing and zesty dressings, seasonings and gravies.
Oil and vinegar: Italian virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar are great for adding zing to your salads. Also, olive oil is a more healthy choice when it comes to cooking.
These examples certainly don’t do justice to the vast variety of gourmet food in existence. They don’t even come close. However, they do provide a peek into the world of abundance, excesses and unabashed indulgence - a clue to how food can embellished so that it appeals to the heart as much as the stomach.
Gourmet Food provides detailed information on Gourmet Food, Gourmet Food Stores, Gourmet Food Gift Baskets, Gourmet Food Gifts and more. Gourmet Food is affiliated with Healthy Smoothie Recipes.
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Sweet Irresistible Gourmet Chocolate

Not everyone has a love for chocolate, but for many of those who do it is virtually irresistible. Gourmet chocolates have a special texture that just melts in your mouth. Gourmet chocolate is full of richness that no other chocolate can give you. Most gourmet chocolate lovers are only interested in chocolate not a Reese bar with peanut butter and chocolate. There are gourmet chocolates to fulfill any chocolates lovers' sweet tooth.
The main differences between different delectable chocolates are the different cocoa's that the gourmet chocolate is made from. The addition of flavorings has made a big difference in the types of gourmet chocolates in the world today. Who would have thought that strawberries, raspberries and black berries would be some of the world famous flavors in chocolates?
Truffles of all flavors, shapes and sizes are also available for those who have that love for gourmet chocolate. Whether you have a love for dark, milk or white chocolate it is all available out there for you to devour. Boxes of gourmet chocolates are also available. Either plain chocolate or ones filled with your favorite filling. Once you start into a box it is hard to stop.
These small scrumptious treasures make a perfect gift for anyone especially for Valentine's Day. If you know a chocolate lover, whether it be your significant other or your mom, they will greatly appreciate the delectable taste of these gourmet chocolates. Every person that you take the time to buy these for will know that you spent your hard earned money buying them the only gift they really need. Stores that sell these wonderful treats will also have gift certificates available. That way if you can't pick out the perfect gourmet chocolates you can certainly let them do it with a gift certificate for gourmet chocolate.
As Valentine's Day approaches use gourmet chocolates to finish a gift such as with flowers and a card or for the man in your life add a bottle of champagne. You can't go wrong giving the gift of gourmet chocolate. Gourmet chocolates are great for every season and as a get well gift. For this type of gift you may want to add a fruit basket as well or again flowers. Either way you will make the person who you are giving to feel very special with the gift of gourmet chocolates. So what are you waiting for, head out and get that special someone a box of gourmet chocolates.
For an assortment of gourmet chocolate, please visit the at home shopping mall MerchantLand.com. We offer top brands at very reasonable prices. Satisfaction guaranteed.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Wright

Making Gourmet Chocolates Yourself

A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to make some gourmet food for a party I was going to arrange. Well I put on my chefs hat and finished up making some truffles, and wow, my friends thought they were fantastic and actually thought that they were gourmet chocolates that I had bought from a quality gourmet food store.
I would like to point out that making gourmet chocolates for yourself is difficult and will take a lot of time, however to be positive it does give you the opportunity to try out some recipes that you probably could not get from the local store.
The ingredients are the key to making fantastic gourmet chocolates:
Choosing and buying the ingredients of your gourmet chocolates is part of the fun. To start with I melted excellent quality dark chocolate over a double boiler. Secondly I rolled some small balls from marzipan and covered them with chocolate. Finally I rolled the chocolate covered marzipan in ground almonds, I also rolled chocolate covered peanut butter in more chocolate and then gave them a covering of ground peanuts.
Creating gourmet chocolates yourself will open up your creativity for sure, also making gourmet chocolates, will allow you to make many different sorts like, chocolate covered chili peppers, chocolate covered citrus peels, and a real wow, chocolate covered candied ginger.
Sharpen your sculpting talents when making gourmet chocolates:
A popular TV chef had a recipe for a honey chocolate cake, which inspired me to make a honey marzipan truffle. Start by melting some very good quality chocolate over the double boiler, and add a little honey, this will create a nice glaze. Now get the marzipan and with a paring knife carve some simple shapes like flowers, bunnies or hearts then dip the shaped marzipan carefully into the chocolate and let the chocolate set on the marzipan. Then dust them with confectioner's sugar. The glaze will be a little sticky, so the sugar will stick. This will make a great gift for all occasions, and is an especially good idea for gourmet chocolates, because you can make the marzipan into any shape to suit the occasion, and finish off by dusting them with the confectioner's sugar.
A Fantastic gift for someone you care about:
It's difficult to find someone who doesn't like chocolate, so as gifts they are an excellent choice to show someone you care. By making gourmet chocolates yourself, you can take your time, and make them look great for that special person in your life. Food and wine followed by some gourmet chocolates will definitely score you some brownie points.
Gourmet chocolates are usually created by master chocolatiers, so be sure not to create something that looks bland and boring, it defeats the purpose of making them yourself. If your chocolates look uneven, with strange shapes, people won't think you creative. So try not to embarrass yourself or your friends when presenting a plate of your homemade gourmet chocolates.
chocolate-tips.com for information, tips and articles about chocolates
For more on Gourmet Chocolates go to http://www.chocolate-tips.com/gourmet-chocolates.html
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Affiliate Marketing Opportunity - Hard to Pass Up

Gourmet meat is on the rise in America as hippies, vegans, household mothers, etc. demand quality, healthy, untainted food. (I know, I know, How Dare them) The fact is people are shelling out more cash for all-natural organic food. This includes fruits, vegetables, rice, grains, and MEAT. With Mad Cow Disease, pesticides and all the other factors that could taint your meat people are looking for proven, quality alternatives. The demand for Gourmet Meats has never been greater and affiliates have a great opportunity to capitalize.
In 2006 consumers purchased 544 million pounds of Angus beef for $2.3 billion in sales. USDA “Prime” beef and Kobe beef are the other two suppliers of Gourmet Meat along with Certified Angus Beef. The Internet has provided a new medium for people to order meat without having to leave their house. Here is a list of Gourmet Meat sites with Affiliate Programs:
* a La Zing - member of LinkShare offers fully-cooked meals, high-grades meats and a healthy alternative to eating out. Pays 10-18% commission on all goods. Owned by Omaha Steaks, the leader in meat retail
* Artiko - member of Share a Sale offers premium steaks, meats and other foods that can go from the freezer to the grill. Artiko offers 10% commission with a 60 day cookie life. They offer top-notch support and datafeeds.
* My Butcher - member of Share a Sale has a wide-range of Gourmet Meats, including USDA Prime Choice, Premium Black Angus, and a variety of other meats. Commission is set at 16% with a 60 day cookie life. My Butcher has been a member of Share a Sale since 2003.
* Niman Ranch - member of Share a Sale offers all-natural farm grown beef. Known for quality and taste, Niman Ranch pays 8% commission with a 45 day tracking period.
The great thing about Gourmet Meats is that they can be paired with other targetable products. Wine and kitchen accessories are just two categories that can be linked together. Develop a niche for Gourmet Meats and like products and share in the profits of the booming industry.
Brian Free -Ramblings of an Affiliate Marketerhttp://bfreedom.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_F.

Gourmet Coffee-Not Just For The Rich and Famous

You wake up to the smell of coffee brewing--but can you tell if it is gourmet coffee?
Gourmet coffees, which like fine wine were once a symbol of prestige, are now sold everywhere--fine coffee houses, grocery stores and retail discounts stores. Franchises have been built around the sale of gourmet coffee in the past 20 years and many will allow you to order your cup of gourmet coffee through a drive-thru window.
What caused the increase in popularity of gourmet coffees? Did everyone just decide they need a dash of mint, a hint of vanilla or an ounce of caramel? It is unlikely that the rise in gourmet coffee sales was due only to a change in our taste in coffee.
Marketing and a good product is most likely the reason for the increase in gourmet coffee sales in the past 20 years. It is fashionable to walk around with a coffee cup sipping on the latest gourmet coffee sold at the trendy coffee house.
Many people are introduced to gourmet coffees when they receive a gift set at Christmas or for a special occasion. These gift sets may included a variety of flavored gourmet coffees such as almond, chocolate and Irish cream. The gourmet coffee is often placed in a designer mug that you will most use when you drink your gourmet coffee after it is brewed.
Many convenience stores offer flavored coffees that are marketed as gourmet coffees, along with espresso and cappuccino. While these coffees may taste like they are gourmet, they are usually derived from coffee grounds found on grocery store shelves.
That’s because the real secret to gourmet coffee is not in the flavor, but in the type of coffee bean. Gourmet coffee is composed of Arabica beans, while most canned coffees are made from robusta beans. These Arabica beans will grow in mainly sub-tropical regions. Good weather is important to the growth of these gourmet coffee beans.
Gourmet coffee is often identified by its name and that name can come from a variety of derivatives, include the region where the bean is grown. You may want a cup of Colombian gourmet coffee. This type of gourmet coffee gets its name from the country where it is grown.
But another type of gourmet coffee, French Roast, has nothing to do with France but with how the bean is roasted.
Gourmet coffee has found its way to grocery stores in recent years and you can find a variety of inexpensive gourmet coffees to try at home. Many of the packaged gourmet coffees are paired with a hint of flavor. Favorite gourmet coffee flavors include vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, peppermint, chocolate mine, Irish Cream and caramel to name a few.
Some people like to add more than just cream and sugar to their gourmet coffee. Whipped cream, chocolate chips and fruit juices are popular additions to gourmet coffees.
So when you wake it to your morning cup of java, why not make a cup of gourmet coffee? Try exotic gourmet coffee flavors and add more than cream and sugar. You may find yourself addicted to gourmet coffee.
Still looking for the perfect coffee? Try visiting http://www.allcoffeesite.com/ a website that specializes in providing coffee advice, tips and resources, including information on gourmet coffee
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M._Xavier

Why You Should Learn The Basics Of Gourmet Cooking

Gourmet cooking may seem inaccessible, something only wealthy people can enjoy, or even intimidating. There's no reason to feel this way about it. If you're interesting in gourmet cooking, that's the most important part. If you've never tried gourmet cooking before, don't be afraid. With a little trial and error and a sense of adventure, you can get into gourmet cooking. You know the difference between what you like to eat and what you don't, right? And you can tell what quality tastes like, right? Then you have the necessary tools to be an amateur gourmet.
To begin with, what makes a certain style of cooking "gourmet"? Gourmet cooking utilizes fresh, high quality ingredients. Take something common like garlic, for example. You can buy dry powdered garlic in the spice aisle at any grocery store. The gourmet will avoid this, though. They'll even walk by the jars of chopped garlic. Only freshly chopped garlic will do for the gourmet cook. Another example is basil. Let's say you have a recipe calling for basil. Again, you could get a jar of dried basil flakes from the spice aisle, or you can find fresh bagged basil leaves in the produce section. Gourmet recipes will prefer the fresh stuff. Better yet, grow your own! Whenever possible, if you can use ingredients you grew yourself, you'll find that they make a world of difference in the taste of your gourmet experiments.
Another word for gourmets is "epicurean". An epicurean is someone who likes only the finest food and drink. Or you can describe a gourmet as a "connoisseur". Like an epicurean, connoisseurs are people who know what's good and what isn't.
To get into gourmet cooking, there are a few ways you can go about learning how. Most obvious are books. Your local bookstore will have plenty of selections on cooking for novices. Don't be intimidated. There's tons of help out there for the newbie. Often grocery stores will have books which are meant to introduce you to gourmet cooking. They'll cover all the basics starting with describing all the different knives you can use to how to clarify butter and make stock.
Another resource for the budding gourmet chef is local restaurants. Nobody's going to give away their secrets but just by going out to eat in nice restaurants every so often and trying things you've never had before, you'll develop a broader range in taste and expand your knowledge of food. Don't be afraid to ask your server to describe an item to you which you don't know about. Ask what goes into the sauce. Ask what's sprinkled on top. Take mental notes and give it a try at home.
Of course you can always finds tons of information on the internet. The internet is chock full of information of all sorts and gourmet cooking is no exception. Innumerable sites provide recipes and cooking advice. Countless forums have been set up to aid the novice and give the experts a place to trade tips and recipes. Don't be afraid to go online and ask questions. Make sure you read what you can before posting questions, but rest assured that there are lots of people out there who are willing to provide advice.
Once you've decided to give a gourmet recipe a try, you may find that your local supermarkets don't have all the ingredients you need. Whenever possible, shop locally but if you can't find what you need there are a number of online food stores which will ship fresh food to your doorstop at a reasonable rate. Yes, gourmet ingredients tend to cost more but their quality and great taste will make it all worth it when your friends and family are being blown away by your latest excursion into gourmet deliciousness!
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as gourmet gift baskets at http://www.finegourmetgiftbaskets.com/
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Gourmet Catering

A good gourmet caterer will prepare a meal that will you and your guest will rave about for a long time. The food will be scrumptious and the presentation divine. A gourmet catering company has chefs that have years of training in preparing exquisite gourmet meals and a wait staff that extends the best professional services
A gourmet catering company should offer quality of service, and the best meats, seafood, poultry, desserts and more. They will work within your budget to guarantee that the food served is the finest and was purchased at the most reasonable prices. They will help you plan and cater any event whether it is small or large, and they will do it with total elegance serving extraordinary food.
Many gourmet caterers have websites that allow you to download their menus. You can fill out a form requesting what you think you would like, and, within a few days, they should send you a free estimate. Gourmet caterers usually offer all-inclusive package that include menus, servers and bartenders. They also supply all the tents, tables, chairs, linens, and china, silver and service wares. They usually have an onsite manager who oversees the event from start to finish. If you wish, they will even do the decorating for you. This always helps with a large, gala event or convention that involves several catering venues.
When choosing a gourmet caterer make sure you ask if the ingredients used are fresh, and if they bake their own breads, desserts, etc. Make sure to discuss food portions and the amount of food that you will need. Always ask for a tasting, proposal and a contract, and go over the contract with the caterer. Make sure the contract includes the list of services and their cancellation policy, price per person, service charges and taxes. Finally, ask for references - it is always wise to talk to other people who have used the caterer for other events.
Catering provides detailed information on Catering, Catering Services, Catering Trucks, Catering Supplies and more. Catering is affiliated with New York City Restaurants.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan

Gourmet Chocolate - What Makes it so Special?

Gourmet chocolate has become a popular food item for special occasions, gifts, and occasional treats. But what is it that makes gourmet chocolate so special? There are 3 main factors that set it apart from regular chocolate. These factors are production process, ingredients, and packaging.
Many of the gourmet chocolate products are individually made by chocolatiers, the name given to professional chocolate makers, instead of being mass produced by equipment. While individual production takes more time, the quality of the final product is worth it. The high priority given to making each gourmet chocolate product a piece of perfection and the strenuous quality assurance process sets it miles apart from the run of the mill mechanically massed produced chocolate products.
Gourmet chocolate products have superior ingredients compared to regular chocolate. Many gourmet chocolate products have cocoa from only a certain origin or region instead of a mix of different types of cocoa beans. Also, the cocoa content in this luxury form of chocolate is often higher. These two factors along with quality production are what give this type of chocolate the characteristics that everyone loves: a stronger chocolate smell and taste, a smooth appearance, and a soft feel in the mouth with no aftertaste.
The last factor that gives gourmet chocolate its name is the quality of packaging materials used to wrap the chocolate. The higher quality foils and papers used to distribute gourmet chocolate help to keep it fresh and give it a look of elegance at the same time. Many of the packaging options are holiday specific, with different colors and wrappers to choose from for whatever the special occasion may be.
Learn more about the different types of gourmet chocolate items available. Get information on different types of gourmet chocolate including gourmet dark chocolate, hot chocolate, and gifts by just clicking on the link at http://www.finegourmetchocolate.com/
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Gourmet Food and Travel - Taking a Culinary Vacation

When you think about gourmet food and travel you probably aren’t thinking of the reheated frozen food you were served on the plane. There are many choices available to those whose love of travel is equaled by their love of gourmet food. You can travel to an exotic (or romantic) location and take gourmet food cooking courses taught by well-trained chefs in top culinary programs (some are even offered on cruise ships.) You can also take a tour that allows you to visit a region and sample some of the area’s best cuisine-without doing any of the gourmet food cooking or preparation yourself. Before you buy that ticket, here is some basic information to get you started on your search:
If you love to cook gourmet food at home, you should definitely think about taking a trip to visit a culinary program abroad. There are all-inclusive travel packages which include your airfare, your accommodations and your courses all in one price. These tour groups are usually fairly small, so you get more personalized instruction. The courses can last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. You may be able to set up courses through contacting a gourmet food cooking school directly, but you may not be able to get the deals on the airfare and accommodations. Some of the packages also include tours of the local area as well.
On the other hand, if you want to leave the gourmet food cooking to the experts, you can find tours which simply visit different areas, focusing on the local cuisine-with local sites of interest thrown in as well for good measure. Some of the more popular tours are the wine tours, the cheese tours and the chocolate tours. You can see how the food is made and you can sample it as well.
Those who want a more flexible and independent experience can simply look up traveler reviews of restaurants in the areas they plan to visit and chart their course based on the food they want to eat.
Make your next vacation not only a delight for your eyes and ears, but for your taste as well.
Eriani Doyel writes articles about Food and Travel. For more information about gourmet food visit foodax.com
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Gourmet Meal Delivered

I’ve always wanted to have a gourmet meal delivered to my home and finally a few years ago, a coworker of mine convinced me to take a chance and I finally tried it. But first, there is something you should know about me. I work a very strenuous job that can go on for over fifty hours a week, so I never have time to cook a good meal. Sure, every now and then, I’d leave work a few minutes early and rush home to make myself something good, but this was a rare occurrence. I ended up living off of junk and fast food and my health deteriorated. That is why a gourmet meal delivered was my best option.
Whenever you get a gourmet meal delivered, you should make sure that you find a place that is local to you and that will deliver to your area, as some neighborhoods may be deemed too dangerous to deliver to. If your neighborhood is delivered to, then you are in luck because a gourmet meal delivered can be some of the best food you have ever eaten.
When ordering a gourmet meal to be delivered, make sure you specify to the ordering company any dietary needs that you may have. If you are lactose intolerant or allergic to almonds, then you should not be forced into buying something with cheese or almonds. Remember that the company is there to serve you, not the other way around. If they really want you to be a customer, they will make the necessary adjustments to your diet. Also, if you keep kosher, see if your company can accommodate that need as well.
Also, a gourmet meal delivered can be a little expensive for some people, but remember that it is gourmet food. But you pay for the quality and convenience of the food you buy. Sure, you could get a burger for a much lower price, but are the devastating health effects on your body worth it? As you can see, it is very easy to get a gourmet meal delivered to your home at any time with just a few brushes of a keystroke or clicks of a mouse. Any person who wants to eat healthier and doesn’t have the time or energy to cook delicious food for their family can now enjoy a gourmet meal for any time of the day, everyday.
If you would like more information on how and where to get a gourmet meal delivered or prepared meal, check out http://www.squidoo.com/preparedmeal/
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Specialty Gourmet Coffee

Specialty gourmet coffee is a very hot commodity in today's market. The consumption of gourmet coffee has steadily grown with consumers enjoying the more sophisticated tastes of gourmet coffee beans.
Specialty gourmet coffee, sometimes called premium coffee, is exceptional coffee beans grown only in ideal coffee-producing climates. These coffee beans have unique characteristics because of the soil they grow in which produce very distinctive flavors.
Gourmet coffee has a more balanced flavor and richer taste than the standard mass-produced coffee. Gourmet coffee beans go through a rigorous process of certification that is stricter to help keep the quality high.
In the 1974 issue of the "Tea & Coffee Trade Journal", Erna Knutsen first used the term 'specialty coffee' to describe these unique coffee beans that are produced in special microclimates with these distinctive, exceptional flavors.
In 1982 the Specialty Coffee Association of America was created by coffee professionals to help set quality standards for the specialty coffee trade.
Since the 1990's the growing popularity of the coffee houses and specialty gourmet coffee retailers, have made gourmet coffee one of the fastest growing food services markets in the world. In the United States alone, it nets approximately $8.5 billion a year.
Some have compared specialty gourmet coffee to wine. The aromas and flavors have similarities in how the consumer connects with the two beverages. The characteristics of gourmet coffee however, are more even complex than wine. The coffee bean is more dependent on altitudes, climate and soil variation than with the grapes used for wine.
The history and tradition of the specialty coffee grower makes this a very complex beverage. So pour yourself a cup of your favorite specialty gourmet coffee, sit back and enjoy, you deserve it.
Copyright © 2005 Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com. All Rights Reserved.
This article is supplied by Best-Coffee-Makers-Online.com where you can easily shop and compare coffee makers so you can purchase exactly what you’re looking for at great values.
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A Gourmet Food Gift Basket Is The Perfect Gift

Giving someone a gourmet food gift basket is sure to put a smile on anyone's face. Gift baskets have become a wonderful gift of choice by many people who are looking to give that special gift. Most food gift baskets will include such items is cheeses, fine wines and other items. This article will look at a couple possible gourmet food items that you might add to your next gift basket.
The idea with a gourmet food gift basket is to give something with a touch of class and style. There are many companies online that do a wonderful job of putting together custom-made gift baskets. One of the main benefits with using a company that specializes in gift baskets is that they know what goes well together. They can often assemble a basket that is far superior to anything that you might to be able to put together yourself.
When it comes to gourmet food, you should spare no expense. After all, if you're going to do it you should do it up right. You find that many companies offer free catalogs that you can request and order from.
Often times, you can build your gourmet food gift basket right online and have it delivered to someone special the very next day. This is especially helpful when you're looking for that special gift during the holiday seasons.
One tip, you might use if you plan to put together a gourmet food basket yourself is to simply check around online and see what kind of items they're putting in the gift basket, and you probably will be able to see some good visual displays of how they've assembled the basket.
If you're a bit creative, you can probably save a little bit of money by assembling your own gourmet food gift basket. Depending on the person they may really appreciate the special personal touch that you add.
For more Gift Basket information try visiting http://gift-baskets-for-all.com,/ a website that specializes in providing helpful gift basket ideas, advice and resources to include Gourmet Food Gift Basket and more.
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Gourmet Food Gifts

Gifting a food basket is popular and well appreciated. Gourmet food gifts for business associates or loved ones have never been easier to dispatch before. Food gift baskets have gained tremendous popularity and the food gift industry has devised new and exciting techniques to attract the customers. The mere word of gourmet gift baskets makes eyes pop out and evokes a craving that is hard to resist.
Gourmet food gifts leave a mark on the recipients mind. It is really a daunting task to find the right kind of gourmet food baskets that can be gifted as ideal corporate gifts or to loved ones. The corporate scene is highly competitive and such gifts create a special impression, hence try and customize your gift if you wish to gift on special occasions like festivals.
Gourmet food gifts are packaged in attractive gift boxes and generally shipped too. You can send gift-packed cheesecake, chocolate gifts, stuffed potatoes, wine gifts, tea gifts or gourmet soups. You can be sure that the recipient will be very happy and appreciative when he or she receives the gift. So whether it’s a holiday, or a birthday or you wish to say thank you or congratulate your loved one, a gourmet food gift is an ideal choice. You can even add a personal touch to the gift for a better response.
The market abounds in various options and some people associate the gourmet food range with high calorie foods. If you want to gift a gourmet food basket to a person who is health conscious then you can go in for customized gourmet food baskets or gourmet food gifts. By adding fruits or low carb products, you can personalize these gift baskets for health conscious dieters. You can make it more exceptional by adding some assorted or exotic fruits.
Men love wine, so if you wish to gift a gourmet food basket to a male colleague or a male client then you can gift wine basket. Women go crazy over crystal products hence you can gift them crystal glasses to impress. You can also give women a bath range like the ‘splashes of spring’. Organic lovers can be given organic products. For a coffee lover you can pick coffee and chocolate combinations. For Italian food lovers you can put together Italian pasta delights.
While selecting a food gift basket, it is a good idea to include items that are nonperishable and stay fresh for some days. Choose containers that look attractive and try to make the food basket light, attractive and not bulky. Always try and choose food, keeping the recipient’s choice in mind. If you wish to add a more personal touch then you can include homemade treats. Gourmet snack gift baskets can be immediately enjoyed on arrival, either at home or office.
Gourmet food gifts come at a price and hence you should ensure that the items are hand-picked. It is best if your gift is delivered within a day and you can do so by using innumerable online options, apart from the services offered by the local shops or vendors.
For information on gourmet food gifts please visit us at Top Food Gifts and for more gift ideas visit Top 10 Gifts
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