Join me for drinks at a new place

THERE comes a time when you've got to pull in your belt a bit. Not because of a weight loss or a financial problem or anything of that sort. No, I've just gotten so overextended with the number of blogs and websites I write, edit and publish that I'm cutting down on the output.

Being a New Yorker, I'm now concentrating almost exclusively on New York State when I provide news, reviews, tastings, items about people and places in the field, plus a bit of foodie-related news.

Please join me at my newest site -- Drinking New York [http://drinkingnewyork.biz] where you'll find a thoroughly NY-centric report as well as THE most comprehensive drink-events calendar covering the state.
See you there.

Sunkist put in a very dark place

"Eat This, Not That" calls Sunkist orange-flavored drink "ounce for ounce, the worst soft drink on the market today."

The evaluation comes as part of the Men’s Health magazine offshoot’s latest look at food and drink in America.

The Sunkist product has 130 calories and 34 grams of sugar in each eight-ounce bottle. The other “worst” soft drinks by categories take 12 ounces each to get to that level. They are:

• Lemon-Lime: 7Up, 12 ozs., 150 calories, 38 grams of sugar
• Cola: CocaCola, 12 ozs., 140 calorie, 39 grams of sugar
• Black Cherry: Stewart’s, 12 ozs., 19 calories, 46 grams of sugar

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Mailbag: In search of non-alcoholic Scotch

Q: Is there such a thing as non-alcoholic Scotch? I saw a web page for Scottish Spirits Ltd.; they make a non-alcoholic whisky they say tastes and looks exactly like traditional Scotch whisky, but they had no contact information.

My friend’s father is in a assisted living facility and misses his Scotch, but cannot have the alcohol. I’m sure there would be a huge market for this type of product.

Thank you for your time,

Kathleen Owens
Whistleville Farms
Decatur, IL


A: First things first. If it is non-alcoholic it is neither Scotch whisky nor whisky of any kind. However, that doesn't mean it can't resemble them in taste. That's in the eye -- or palate -- of the beholder.

Scottish Spirits Ltd., the Glasgow, Scotland, distiller you mentioned, spent a decade developing the alcohol-free ArKay brand "whisky" specifically targeted for Muslim consumers worldwide.

The company says it is "made from natural identical ingredients in accordance with European Economic Community (EEC) regulations and from artificial flavors and natural malt extract in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)."

The suggested retail price is $20 per bottle. The problem for individual consumers is that Scottish Spirits Ltd. sells the product by the case, with a minimum order of one container of 1,200 cases.

It also will provide custom labels with text printed according to the health and import regulations of the distributor’s home country.

Scottish Spirits Ltd. has been an international whisky exporter since 1896.

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$12-a-cup coffee debuts in Manhattan

Remember when many people were irate over coffee hitting $1 a cup? Too long ago for you? OK, how about $3 a cup, or $4, or $5 or ...

You get the idea. Well, Cafe Grumpy in Manhattan has begun offering a $12 cup of coffee. That's right, $12. One thousand two hundred pennies.

The mini-chain, which has locations in Brooklyn as well, debuted the beverage on Wednesday. It is made from Ethiopian coffee beans.

Cafe Grumpy is a no-frills coffee shop that says the handpicked beans are more expensive than most others because of the labor and time necessary for harvesting, drying and shipping.

And, don't think about asking for a latte version. Or even just a little milk and sugar. “As soon as you add milk and sugar to this, you lose a lot of the nuance,” said barista Colleen Duhamel.

It better have plenty of nuances. Even a cup-a-day habit will cost you $4,380 a year.

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Finlandia water bottles mark Earth Day

Left to right: “The Very Tired Rooster” representing the Midnight Sun, which shines for 73 days straight in the north of Finland; "Untouched Nature," represented by the Norse mythological red squirrel Ratatosk; six-row barley featuring “The Cranes” walking in the barley field; "Thiaridae” the freshwater snail, representing pure glacial spring water.

Today is the 40th Earth Day, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Finlandia vodka brand.

To mark both milestones, Finlandia is releasing limited edition charity water bottles featuring designs by Klaus Haapaniemi, a renowned Finnish graphic artist.

"As a Finnish artist and proud of my heritage, it was a pleasure to partner with Finlandia on this project to benefit so many great environmental charities," Haapaniemi said. "I hope my designs bring color and fantasy to Finlandia and glamorize the nature and the wildlife of Finland."

Each design represents one of Finlandia Vodka’s core elements: the Midnight Sun, untouched nature, six-row barley and pure glacial spring water.

The one-liter SIGG water bottles sell for $28. Finlandia will divide all profits among four global environmental projects selected to promote sustainability beyond the brand’s distillation footprint. This cause-marketing program is an early step in a new, concerted effort to explore sustainability and the brand’s harmony with nature.

The water bottles will be available beginning May 3 for purchase online. (The website will not be active until then.)

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Canajoharie entry wins NYS water competition

William M. Dowd photos

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- Water, water, everywhere ... and plenty to drink, think about, consult over, run through valves and purification systems ... and so on.

That was the scene Wednesday at the Saratoga Hilton/City Center which was hosting the annual conference of the New York Section -- American Water Works Association (AWWA), a statewide organization of professionals involved in the drinking water industry -- water/wastewater plant operators, utilities, municipal officials, academics and consulting engineers.

It also was the spot where I joined three other judges from the industry to select the best drinking water in New York State, an honor that went to the Village of Canajoharie. Its water now moves on to the national AWWA competition, scheduled for June in Chicago.

Judges conducted a blind test, sampling a variety of waters from various parts of the state, looking for clarity, taste, smell, aftertaste, and scoring on a 5-point system for each category. While it may not seem at first glance that judging water samples would be much of a chore compared to judging, say, wines and spirits, having done all of those liquids I can attest to the fact that water judging has its difficulties. All the entries were top quality, no discolorations, funky odors or bad aftertaste. On my final scoresheet, I had one entry just two points ahead of a trio tied for second place. I retasted all four, knocking the leader down by one point but still keeping it at the top.

As it turned out, the total points awarded by the four judges wound up ranking the finishers in the same order I had picked them:

• 1st -- Village of Canajoharie, 107 points.
• 2nd through 4th -- Tie among Bethpage (Long Island) Water District, New York City and Greenlawn, 102 points each.
• 5th -- Village of Monroe, 95 points.
• 6th -- Monroe County, 91 points.

The other judges were Joseph Mantua, national president-elect of the AWWA; Manoj Ajmera, a consulting water engineer from the Capital Region, and Dr. Connie Schreppel of Utica, current chair and director of an upstate water distributor. The event was coordinated by Rochelle Cassella of Liverpool, executive director of the New York Section - AWWA.

SCENES FROM A CONVENTION




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Healthier drinks in schools achieved

The nation's leading beverage companies have come through on their three-year commitment to replace full-calorie soft drinks from schools across the country with smaller portion, lower calorie drinks.

That's according to a statement released by the American Beverage Association. The project, in cooperation with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation -- a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, has thus affected an 88% reduction in calories from beverages shipped to schools since 2004.

The ABA released the "Alliance School Beverage Guidelines Final Progress Report," which it says confirms that the Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and their systems of local bottling companies that work directly with the school partners have transformed the beverage landscape in schools across America. The report was prepared by Keybridge Research LLC, an independent firm that prepared the previous two progress reports.

"A critical component of the Alliance's national effort to end childhood obesity has been our work with the beverage industry to reduce the amount of calories our kids consume in schools," said former President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation, who co-leads the Alliance with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and American Heart Association President Clyde Yancy.

"We are encouraged by the significant progress we've made and look forward to continuing our work with participating schools, companies and the American Beverage Association to give young people the options and opportunities they need to lead healthier lives."

"It's a brand new day in America's schools when it comes to beverages," said Susan Neely, ABA president and CEO. "Our beverage companies have slashed calories in schools as full-calorie soft drinks have been removed. The beverages available to students are now lower-calorie, nutritious, smaller-portion choices."

This Alliance School Beverage Guidelines Progress Report marks the third and final assessment of the impact and status of the implementation of the guidelines.

"Childhood obesity is a complex problem, and there is no one single solution. The core of the problem, however, is that many of our children and youth are consuming too many calories," said Dr. Clyde Yancy, president of the American Heart Association and medical director for Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

"School is a unique environment where students make food and beverage choices with limited supervision and begin to set food preferences that last into adulthood. The Alliance School Beverage Guidelines are a tool for reducing students' access to calories during the school day and changing behaviors that may lead to a lifelong improvement in caloric consumption."

Under the voluntary guidelines, 100% juice, low-fat milk and bottled water are allowed in elementary and middle schools, with the addition of diet beverages and calorie-capped sports drinks, flavored waters and teas in high schools. In addition to the removal of full-calorie soft drinks from all schools, the shift towards more lower-calorie, smaller-portion beverages is also contributing to the overall reduction in calories available from beverages in schools.

Copies of the "Alliance School Beverage Guidelines Final Progress Report" are available online.

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NY ignores sugary-drink tax proposal

It seems it was only a matter of time. The latest push to legalize the sale of wine in supermarkets in New York State apparently has died and been tossed on the refuse heap of its predecessors.

The State Senate's 2010-11 budget resolution just released does not contain Gov. David Paterson’s proposal to include wine sales in supermarkets and some other retail outlets. Legislative analysts predict the same will be true of an Assembly version when it is adopted later this week.

Also missing from the Senate version of the budget is a tax on sugary beverages Paterson had wanted.

The debate over Paterson's proposal has been long and heated, bringing into conflict all sorts of temporary coalitions as well as expert lobbyists pushing one side of the agenda or the other.

The governor's office originally projected extra revenue for the state of $147 million from the expansion of where wine could be sold. A secondary move, proposing higher franchise fees than he had at first wanted for such sales permission, pushed that estimate to $300 million.

No matter your point of view, one thing is for sure: That $300 million Paterson had counted as potential income from such changes will have to be made up to help support the gigantic state budget legislators seem incapable of ever paring down.

And, just where do you think that revenue is going to come from?

Wine/sugary beverage buyer or not, you're going to have to dig deeper than ever to help support the state government, including all the special perks and discretionary money the Senate and Assembly drones spread around their districts to ensure votes for their reelection whether you like the use of your money or not.

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Anyone find a no-tomato discount?

It may or may not immediately affect your Virgin Mary cocktail, depending on your favorite watering hole’s recipe, or your soup, salad or sauce, but a harsh Southern winter has spoiled an estimated 80% of the Florida tomato crop.

Add to that the February 27 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks that have wreaked havoc in produce-rich Chile and you have a severe tomato shortage.

We’re already seeing a reduction in the amount of tomatoes being put in sandwich shop items and even at full-service restaurants as prices skyrocket and availability shrinks. Those that are paying their suppliers more for tomatoes may well be passing the additional cost along to consumers if the shortage lasts.

When this happened several years ago, the same thing happened as far as consumer-impact. However, I don’t recall a single food purveyor who reduced his/her prices to the public even though in many cases you were getting less of a product.

If you come across a restaurant, sandwich shop or other vendor who is cutting prices to reflect the reduction or absence of tomatoes, let me know.

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A perfect winter moment

Mmmm, Stalin cola

A year ago, I reported on competing Russian vodka makers putting the country's two top leaders on their labels.

Now, a figure from the Russian past will have his ugly head raised on a non-alcoholic beverage label.

The face of the notorious Soviet dictator Josef Stalin will be seen on bottles of a soft drink to go on sale next month in Russia, according to a report this week in the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper.

The bottles probably will become collector's items of a sort, because they are a limited edition that is part of a batch of beverages being released to mark the 67th anniversary of the World War II Soviet victory over Germany in the Battle of Stalingrad.

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Barista season is steaming up

There actually is a county in georgia named Coffee(*). But next month, most of the state's coffee attention will be in Atlanta, where the Southeast Regional Barista Competition will be conducted.

The event is set for February 19-21, hosted once again by Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters and Everything Coffee & Tea Inc.

That will come just after the Mountain Region competition, set for February 11-14 in Fort Collins, CO. It is sponsored by Barista Pro Shop.

Both are part of the Specialty Coffee Association of America's series of barista showdowns. Both websites are short on details right now, but organizers promise that soon will change.

The Atlanta event is scheduled for the Plow Arts Center, 887 West Marietta Street, in Atlanta. It will showcases the high level of expertise and innovation that has become the hallmark of quality coffee and espresso bars.

Competitors will be judged for the excellence of their drinks, the detail of their presentation and their hospitality.

After those events, additional competitions are planned:

• The Western Regional, February 26-28, in Los Angeles.

• The Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast regionals will be held in conjunction with Coffee Fest, March 5-7 at the Meadowlands complex in East Rutherford, NJ.

• The Great Lakes Regional, March 12-14, in Milwaukee.

• The Southwest Regional, March 19-21, in Phoenix, AZ.

The South Central Regional, won by Lorenzo Perkins of Caffe Medici in Austin, TX, was held in January.

Winners from the regionals go on to the national championship.

(*) Coffee County was named for Georgia militia general John Coffee. He was responsible for the building of the Coffee Road which forms the western boundary of the county. He died in 1836.

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Coffee & Tea Festival set for NYC

Wine, beer and spirits have their extravaganzas, but coffee and tea don't have nearly the number of showcases. However, the 5th annual Coffee & Tea Festival NYC is a major event.


The international event, open to the public and the trade, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 2021, at 7WEST, located at 7 West 34th Street in Manhattan.

The event will offer two days of programming including classes/lectures/demos from industry pros and pioneers. Chocolates and sweet treats will offer a wonderful compliment to the spectacular collection of coffees and teas.

Ticket information and reservations are available online.

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Coalition raps NY gov's latest tax proposal

Governor David Paterson, scrambling in every niche for something to tax, has proposed placing a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages of 12 cents per 12-ounce can. To put that in perspective, such a tax would be 10 times higher than the tax New York currently levies on a 12-pack of alcoholic beverages, such as beer.

Predictably, the idea isn't sitting well with a lot of people, particularly New Yorkers Against Unfair Taxes, a coalition formed in opposition to taxes on food and beverage products.

Nelson Eusebio, coalition chairman, today said in a statement:

"New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet in this economy and we shouldn't bear the burden of fixing the Governor's budget problems. Another tax will be detrimental to hardworking New York businesses and residents."

The coalition's website is geared up to allow consumers and businesses to sign a petition, and make their opposition known to the Governor and their state representatives.

The coalition's current membership list:

The Business Council of New York State
Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Buffalo Inc.
New York Association of Convenience Stores
New York State Automatic Vending Association
National Restaurant Association
National Supermarket Association
Gristedes
The Food Industry Alliance of New York State
New York State Restaurant Association
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Can Manufacturers Institute
American Council on Science and Health
National Puerto Rican Coalition
League of United Latin American Citizens
Polar Beverage Company
Adirondack Beverages
The Coca-Cola Company
Glaceau
Region V U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Dan’s Supreme Supermarkets Inc.
Corn Refiners Association
National Association of Theatre Owners – New York
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
One Abingdon Square Enterprises Inc.
H&H Kim Co.
Chan Song Corp.
BRS Food Corp.
Lime Tree Market
Golden Boy Mart
M.H. Fruit Corp.
Gem’s Circle Farm Co.
West Front Andrew Corp.
Blissville Deli & Grocery
300 J&J Fresh Produce
Modern Gourmet
Errand Grocery
Sunny’s Best Food Corp.
Fine Fare
P&E Grocery Corp.
Seoul Shopping Inc.
Star Lite Deli
Maiden Heaven 9-11 Inc.
Paul’s Grocery
Soon Deli Grocery
Lee Kim Market
PJ Jenny Farm
Kay’s Deli
City Limits Diner
Kyung’s Fruit Store Inc.
P.J. Deli
Cuban American National Council
ASPIRA Association Inc.
Livanos Restaurant Group
New York Farm Corp.
Jun & Jeong Farm Inc. Corp.
Smiley’s
Austin Fruit & Vegetable Corp.
Haerahm Inc.
Annie’s Fruit & Vegetable Store
Scaramelia’s, Helen Food Corp.
Key Food
D&R Grocery Inc.
Chocolate Deli & Grocery Inc.
Fancy Fruit Market
Roosevelt Gourmet Deli
National Council of Chain Restaurants
Bodega Association of the United States
Red Apple Group
N&D Deli, Inc.
Penn Plaza Gourmet Deli Inc.
Queens Farmer’s and Health
Belle Harbor Foods Inc.
New Blue Flowers Gourmet Inc.
Chelsea Hyper Market Inc.
DNY Natural Land
Soho Garden
K&P Deli
Cho’s Grocery
Fresh King Market Inc.
Daniel Oh Corp.
Young Corp.
Sheen Brothers Inc.
Lee Supermarket (Village Market)
#81 Farm Deli
J.W. Market Inc.
Ham Maek Corp.
Peter Plus Inc.
Sunnydale Farm Store
Food Mart
Y & Y Farm Co.
Peppermill Fruit & Vegetable Inc.
Smile Deli
U. Farm Land
Tudor Farm Market Inc.
Harvest on Hudson
Half Moon River Club
East By Northeast
Stone Lion Inn
Harvest Partners
Harvest on Ft. Pond
Fort Pond Partners
One High St.
Eagle Equities
Berbro Realty
Fort Pond Bay Co.
Eagle Golf Association
River Road
Pepsi-Cola Bottling Newburgh
Foodtown – PSK Supermarkets
MoMo Grocery Corp.
H&D Deli
FreshProduces
The Original Supermarket Corp.
Associated Supermarket
120 Meat Corp.
492 Corp Supermarket
367 Waverly Meat Market and Produce
Pioneer BC Food Produce
DNJ Food Corp.
J.V.D. Food Corp.
Bravo Supermarket
Soho Food Corp.
C-Town Supermarket
Key Food Supermarket
Rockaway Supermarket Corp.
Olamar Food Corp.
El Verde Meat & Produce Corp.
Green Forest Food Corp.
NSA Supermarket
Around Food Corp.
JJR 66-82 Food Corp.
116-15 GMV Corp.
Newburgh Food Corp.
1239 Food Corp.
Hex Foods
2096 Concourse Food Plaza
Foodtown
560 W. Meat & Produce Corp.
MET Food
Anber Meat & Produce
JD Food & Meat Corp.
Gava Food Corp.
April Food Corp.
J&F Meat & Grocery Corp.
115 RD Food Corp.
Associated Supermarket
AES Meat & Produce Corp.
Associated Juncalito Abeyo
A&G Family Corp.
3690 JAD Food Corp.
DAR Food Corp.
Palero Food Corp.
R&E Corp.
Billy Boy Food Corp.
P.J. 37 Food Corp.
Juncalito Meat & Produce
Palero Meat Corp.

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