Sherry vinegar is made from sherry wine, which is produced in the Jerez (Xérès or Sherry) denomination of origin in south­western Spain. The unusual thing about the vinegar (and the wine) is that it's aged and blended so that younger vinegar picks up the characteristics of the older vinegar: complex, harmonious, deep, rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and very sharp.

Traditions and Rituals of Tea From Around the World

East Frisia, Germany

Located in the coastal regions of Lower Saxony, Germany, East Frisia is one of the highest per capita consumers of tea in the world, enjoyed on average 2 - 4 times per day with drinking 3 cups on average at each serving. Tea is elevated to an art here. Tea enters East Frisia by East Frisian ships contracted by the Dutch East India Company in 1610. East Frisia at the time is part of another great empire, Prussia. The first hundred years of tea’s presence in Prussia (now mostly Germany) tea is used as an elixir or for medicinal purposes. Then it simply becomes ‘thee’ beverage of East Frisia.

Dark chocolate has recently been discovered to have a number of healthy benefits. Amazing that something that so many people enjoy eating just for the sweet creamy indulgence can ALSO be good for us! Studies show that eating a small amount of dark chocolate two or three times each week can help lower your blood pressure. Dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart, so it can help improve cognitive function, help prevent strokes, prevent hardening of the arteries as well as protecting us from Type II Diabetes. The flavonoids in dark chocolate help reduce insulin resistance by helping your cells to function normally and regain the ability to use your body's insulin efficiently. Dark chocolate also has a low glycemic index, meaning it won't cause huge spikes in blood sugar levels. Dark chocolate also contains several chemical compounds that have a positive effect on your mood and cognitive health.

One of the most popular types of tea in China, oolong tea may offer certain health benefits when sipped regularly. The tea undergoes only a small degree of fermentation during its processing, which gives oolong a flavor somewhat similar to black tea but more akin to green tea. Health claims for oolong tea's benefits include reduction of cholesterol levels, preservation of heart health, treatment of digestive disorders, strengthening of the immune system, and formation of strong bones.

American especially, but also people all over the world enjoy a tall refreshing glass of freshly brewed iced tea, but who wants to wait around for it to chill in the fridge ! But just how to achieve the desired results of cold, perfectly brewed tea, right away, has long befuddled the masses.

Green tea has always been, and remains today, the most popular type of tea from China where most historians and botanists believe the tea-plant originated throughout all of Asia. Why is this so? Perhaps because green tea not only captures the taste, aroma and color of spring, but delivers this delightful bouquet along with the highest concentration of beneficial phytonutrients and the least caffeine of all the teas. Not only is it the most popular it is also considered the tea with the most health benefits.