Food

Sulfites in Wine: What Are They?

May 24, 2018

 

How often do you check the ingredients list on your wine? Perhaps you looked once or twice out of curiosity, or perhaps you are a connoisseur who pays attention to the fine details. Whatever the reason, you may have noticed the phrase ‘contains sulfites’ on your wine label.

What Are Sulfites?

In terms of molecular structure, ‘sulfites’ refers to sulfur dioxide, a preservative which plays an integral role in the winemaking process. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that temper the oxidation reactions which cause wine to spoil. To some extent, sulfites are used as a preservative in many food-related industries.

Are They Harmful?

Studies suggest high levels of sulfites in a person’s diet can lead to worsened morning after headaches, nasal congestion, skin ailments, upset stomachs, and low blood pressure.

Individuals who suffer from severe asthma or a rare enzyme deficiency may experience mild to life threatening symptoms from the consumption of sulfites. The FDA estimates these susceptible individuals amount to less than 1% of the population of the United States.

What Level of Sulfites Does Wine Contain?

Since sulfites are a natural byproduct of fermentation, every wine contains a small amount of sulfites. Many winemakers add more sulfites as a preservative. Sulfite levels in a bottle of wine will vary depending on vineyard and winemaking practices, and can range from 40-80 mg/liter. Any wine whose sulfite content is greater than 10 parts per million must state ‘contains sulfites’ on the label.

Can I Remove the Sulfites from My Wine?

Some people prefer to purchase wine free of sulfites either for health reasons or taste. Given the widespread use of sulfites as a preservative, this is not possible. However, it is now possible to remove the sulfites from your wine. If you want to store your wine for a while, then you will want to leave the sulfites in and remove them when you consume the wine.

So how do you remove those sulfites? It is, sadly, not a simple and straightforward process that can be attempted with everyday household items. Instead, you have to buy a specialized product like StiQit. The StiQit is made with proprietary, FDA-permitted ingredients that remove the sulfites from the glass of wine with a stir.

Do European Wines Have Sulfites?

One common misconception is that wines from countries outside of the U.S. don’t contain sulfites. The truth is that they just don’t label it. The US requires a sulfite warning label that indicates a wine bottle ‘contains sulfites.’ Wines from France, Italy, Australia and Chile still contain sulfites. Survey studies show that European wines contain an average of 80 mg/L sulfites, just like the U.S.

If you are one of the unfortunate few who are particularly susceptible to the effects of sulfites then having such a simple and portable solution to the problem is a godsend!

Have you or a loved one experience symptoms associated with sulfite sensitivity? What solutions have you tested?

Food Gadgets

The Best Turkey Fryer Available

May 9, 2018

A turkey-fryer can be used any time of the year. But, with holiday season being here, deep-frying a turkey is something many people want to do. But, you need the right turkey-fryer to do so. These are a few top options to consider when buying a turkey-fryer.

Char-Broil TRU 

Oil-less at its finest. This turkey-fryer simply requires you to put the turkey in the fryer, and you’re ready to go. It can handle a turkey up to 16 pounds in weight, it cooks faster than oil cook-times, and you can coat the meat with a rub prior to cooking, to really enhance the flavours.

Bayou Classic 

This 32-quart fryer is ideal for larger turkeys, or deep frying in less time. It is a stainless-steel finish, so it is not going to get damaged, dirty, or too messy with various uses. It is non-reactive, so it won’t overheat, and it will cook your turkey evenly throughout in less time. It is great at conducting heat as well, so you don’t have to worry about oil or grease fires when deep-frying a turkey.

MasterBuilt Butterball Fryer 

For indoor use, you can’t go wrong with this turkey-fryer. It is compact, quick, efficient, and deep fries any bird in no time. The electric fryer can hold a turkey up to 14-pounds. You can simply set the electric dial using the LED screen. It also uses about 1/3 less oil than typical fryers, so it will taste great, but won’t be overly greasy.

There are many great turkey-fryers. Regardless of size, material, finish, or features. If you would like to see some reviews on turkey fryers then is a great place to start. these are among the top options to consider if you are looking for something easy to use, efficient, and durable for years to come.

Culture

The Culture and Cuisine of Kuching

May 3, 2018

Situated on the tropical island of Borneo, Kuching offers a taste of authentic Malaysia. Look past its modern shopping malls and high rises and discover old colonial buildings, historic temples, bustling bazaars and handicraft shophouses. A melting pot of cultures, it’s a place where grand Indian mosques vie for attention with ornate Chinese Temples, and streetfood vendors sit side by side with chic waterfront restaurants.

You’ll find plenty of tourist guides online if you want more information on Kuching. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at the city’s rich culture and cuisine.

The riverfront

To soak up the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, head to the riverfront along the Sarawak River. Lined with craft shops, café terraces and hawkers, this newly redeveloped area is a thriving hub of activity. The mile-long esplanade offers fantastic views of traditional houses and historic landmarks such as the The Astana and Fort Margherita. Don’t miss the chance to take in the sights from the water with a ride on a wooden sampan boat.

Many historic buildings have been preserved along the banks, including the Chinese History Museum, the Square tower and an open air amphitheatre. Also overlooking the waterfront is the colourful Tua Pek Kong Chinese temple, which dates back to the 19th century and hosts various festivals throughout the year.

The city’s oldest street, Main Bazaar, runs alongside the river and offers a rare glimpse into local life. The street oozes charm from a bygone era, where tradesmen, tin-smiths and antique collectors eagerly await new business and Chinese shophouses beckon with intriguing crafts and trinkets.

Museums and attractions

Culture vultures won’t want to miss the Sarawak Museum, the city’s oldest museum, which houses an array of unique displays including rare taxidermy, indigenous artifacts and one of the best natural history collections in southeast Asia. The historical Chinese Museum on the waterfront is also well worth a visit, or for something a little bit different, check out the world’s first Cat Museum, containing over 4,000 artifacts and exhibits. Kuching’s cat obsession is evident throughout the city, with numerous feline-themed statues and sculptures dotted around its streets.

If you’re keen to learn more about Borneo’s rich heritage and local traditions, a day trip to the Sarawak Cultural Village is a must. Nestled in the foothills of Mount Santubong just outside of the city, the 17-acre park is home to over 150 people and describes itself as ‘the living museum’. You can easily spend a day here wandering among the traditional houses, watching the village residents make handicrafts and perform traditional dances in costume.

Where to eat

When it comes to food, Kuching is a trove of gastronomic delight. With new establishments opening every day, the ever-expanding dining scene and café culture offers visitors a truly diverse and exciting experience. The city’s multi-layered ethnic make-up is reflected in the restaurant menus, with everything from Asian and Chinese fusion food to traditional Italian pizza and Swedish meatballs.

If you want to dine like the locals, head to the open-air Top Spot food court. Unusually located on the top level of a multi-storey car park, after making the climb you’ll be greeted by a range of neon-lit hawker stalls serving cooked-to-order meals.

The city’s street markets are also some of the best places to sample authentic Sarawak delicacies. One of the most popular with visitors is the Siniawan Night Market, where you can sample favourite local dishes such as pork satay, kolo mee noodles and the rainbow-coloured kek lapis cake. You can also pick up a variety of exotic fruits from the rainforest and various other fresh produce.

Food

Why You Should Always Rinse Sushi Rice before Cooking

May 2, 2018

Sushi is a traditional Japanese recipe prepared with rice, seafood, sugar, salt, tropical fruits and a variety of other ingredients. It’s usually served with soy sauce, pickled ginger, daikon radish, and wasabi to enhance the flavour.

When it comes to preparing sushi, many people believe sushi rice is a particular type of rice that can only be used to make this recipe. But it’s actually small grain or medium grain white rice that you can use for any other dish. You can also use brown rice, but if you want to follow the traditional recipe, you should prefer white grain rice. Check SushiMarchine.com.au out to buy a sushi machine.

To rinse or not to rinse rice before preparing sushi rice is a common concern among people. Some people find it extremely important to wash rice beforehand, whereas others don’t consider it important. So, let’s discuss in detail whether or not you should rinse sushi rice before cooking the dish.

Why You Should Wash Sushi Rice

The traditional method of cooking sushi is to wash rice thoroughly. People used to rinse the rice a few times before they would get started with the recipe. Many people still prefer to follow the tradition when preparing the dish. But some companies print the instructions on rice bags that the customers should avoid washing rice so as to retain its nutrients.

Some people believe that it’s not necessary anymore to wash rice before cooking. Back in the day, people used to wash rice in order to get rid of starch. But now the grains are washed after processing to get rid of the starch before enclosing it in a rice bag. However, it’s in your best interest to wash rice so that you can prepare a healthy meal.

Rice has bran and Japanese short grain rice is processed in a machine to remove this bran. During the process, the rice rubs against each other and this friction causes the outer layer to come off in the form of small and dusty particles. Although these particles are carefully removed, some of these still stick to the polished rice.

If you don’t wash rice before cooking, you may not be able to prepare the perfect recipe. It’s because bran not only ruins the texture of polished rice, it also gives off an unpleasant smell and makes rice too sticky. Therefore, if you want to enjoy delicious sushi with just the perfect taste, you should wash rice beforehand.

How to Wash Sushi Rice

Although you may end up losing some of the nutrients when washing rice, the loss is minimal. In order to wash rice, take rice in a large pot and fill the remaining space with water. Stir rice with your fingers to clean it and then drain water. Repeat the process a few times until the draining water becomes almost clear.

If you want to prepare perfect sushi rice, try washing rice before cooking. This will give the recipe a fresh and exciting taste.

Food

The History of Curry

May 2, 2018

Did you know that the British love curry so much they actually celebrate a National Curry Week? But in actuality, curry is a cuisine that has existed even back in the Mesopotamian civilization.

The origins of curry lie in the sub-continent region- today’s India- but it didn’t take too long for the cuisine to become one of the English’s favorite. Around the early 1300s, English began excessively devouring the dish. The proof of this can be found in the English cooking books that were published in the 14th Century.

In the present times, curry has become a global dish. Almost every country has a variety of their own curry. It was originally spelled and pronounced as ‘Kari’ which is actually a Tamil word.

Curry is a combination of different spices. So the curry powder is a grinded mixture of a vast variety of spices. This is why different countries have different curry flavours; some are hot while others are mild. However, since it is originally a South Asian, specifically an Indian cuisine, it is typically hot and spicy.

The curry consumed by Australians is much different than that devoured by Indians. The Indians prefer a dish of gravy made up of their basic ingredients such as cumin, turmeric, ginger, chilli, garlic, and coriander.

At the time of the British colonization of India, there was an inevitable exchange of cultural practices. This allowed the British to adopt curry as a national cuisine. But the British made some alterations in the dish that would fit their developed taste which is why, the curry found in the west is a little different.

Of course, the British colonialism spread their culture to all of their colonies. When they entered the Australian region, they introduced many of their own cultural practices including the curry dish. In fact, there are even proofs of curry being advertised in the early 19th century.

In particular, Australia was introduced to the classical cuisine by one British, Joseph Keen. Back in 1841, Joseph Keen moved to Australia with his newly wedded bride to settle down and start a new life in a foreign land.

With meagre resources and a zeal for culinary art, Joseph Keen developed his own curry powder that had a unique blend of Indian spices with those of the West. Together, the combination produced an exotic flavour that was a perfect balance of hot and mild. Inevitably, the Australians fell in love with this cuisine and today, is has emerged as a staple food in more Australian cities than you can count.

Curry can be cooked in different styles. The dish is wholesome on its own but you can always customize it by adding different meats to enhance its flavours. For a special night, you can always check out some beef curry recipes.