Intriguing items have been catching my attention in various blog articles this week: deodorized cocoa butter, a stainless steel writing spoon, World Wide Vanilla Beans.
Deodorized cocoa butter:
I was totally fascinated by the idea of alternative chocolates as presented in the article Like Ketchup for Chocolate, posted by Dave Arnold. Noted in the article, for purposes where you want the silky feel of chocolate, but not the scent, deodorized cocoa butter is needed. Create a silky delight with the scent and flavor of your choice, a signature couverture.
After a quick Google search, I found an informative supplier: Cocoa Supply, South Hackensack, NJ.
"Deodorized cocoa butter is used in recipes where you don't want to add the strong cocoa flavor and aroma that Natural Cocoa Butter has. Widely used in the cosmetic industry, it is great for creams and balms, as well as any recipe where you want to blend other flavors."
I have not ordered from Cocoa Supply, but they are now on my wish list, along with a Santha wet grinder.
Writing Spoon:
While reading blog articles about molecular gastronomy, and following up on resources sited, I came across a most interesting spoon: a stainless steel spoon with a tip that resembles a calligrapher's pen nib. This remarkable spoon can be found on Le Sanctuaire.com, where a short video of the spoon in artistic motion can be viewed.
Writing Spoon description: "An innovative design from Julia Mariscal, each piece is hand-made of 18/10 stainless steel. This spoon has a tip that resembles that of a fountain pen. Just dip it in coffee, chocolate, or sauce, and use it for writing. Great for the table and also for plating in the kitchen! Dishwasher-safe. Made in Spain."
World Wide Vanilla Beans:
I have used and been delighted with Madagascar vanilla beans, Tahitian vanilla extract, and Mexican vanilla beans. Previously, I had not heard of those from Uganda, India and other places until recently. The Boston Vanilla Bean Company sells several varieties including Uganda vanilla beans and Indonesia vanilla beans. Beanilla.com additionally has vanilla beans from Tonga and India. The product descriptions provide insight into the differences between the various types.
Example description of the Organic Indonesian vanilla bean from Beanilla.com:
"Our 100% Certified Organic Indonesian Vanilla Beans are sweet with a unique woody flavor. The flavor is perfect for richer deserts and recipes that call for chocolate, caramel, or other deep flavors. They are very plump, pliable and have a flavor similar to our Indian vanilla variety. These vanilla beans are Australian Certified Organic (ACO), which means that you can ensure that these vanilla beans were produced in harmony with nature, keeping harmful chemicals out of our land, water and air.
Length: 16-17cm (approx. 6-7 inches)
Color: Very Dark Brown/Black
Place of Origin: Indonesia
Botanical Name: Vanilla Planifolia, Organic
Amount: 1 Whole Vanilla Bean
Flavor: sweet, woody, and a hint of smoke"
I'll keep looking for interesting items to share. Disclaimer: I do not work for these companies. These are my observations and found examples.
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