Cold brew coffee - try it at home!

Barako coffee

It is somewhat of a new trend in making coffee...so even if I'm not an avid coffee drinker I thought, why not try it?... I googled how to cold brew coffee and it is as simple as it sounds...because you don't need a coffee-maker! No particular tool is needed, only some patience in preparing and waiting to drink the first cup that you made. Now if you're going to drink it regularly, you can make a big jar of cold brew coffee, good for consuming within a week.You just need to prepare in advance, then you can relax and enjoy your coffee!
For a quicker version, omit grinding beans - buy (preferably coarse) ground coffee. At the supermarket, I chose Barako, a specialty coffee from Batangas, Philippines. (It is the more affordable coffee too, since the imported ones are pricey.)
Simple steps: Measure 1 liter of purified water, put 1/2 cup of ground coffee, stir, cover and refrigerate for 24 hrs. The next day, strain at least twice to get only the liquid coffee (I used a juice strainer first, and then a disposable coffee filter. You can keep the brewed coffee for up to a month in the fridge. You can drink it warm or cold, just add ice or add some water and warm it.

How did it taste? I'm not much into coffee, but I like it! it has no bitter taste and even has a slight sweetness. I shouldn't be drinking more than a half-cup of coffee since I tend to have stomach trouble...but I think drinking coffee does stimulate the mind and makes one feel more energetic, so a little coffee a day is good.

Freshest Fresh Buko!

Some fresh buko stalls/stores out there are selling coconut juice and meat that aren't the freshest possible. Some have bottled the juice and chilled them to last a few days. Then they add a few strips of meat that was already prepared in advance. Buy coconut in its original form and you're sure its fresh! Its the cheapest this way, and you're assured of the best nutrients and cleanest product from the best source - nature!

A few years ago, I posted about coconuts here. The coconuts used to be P25. each (in the city), now its P35. each. But its still much cheaper than buying it in commercial stalls or ordering it from restaurants.
I buy coconut at a neighborhood street vendor, he already knows that I want the young coconut, with the outer shell chopped, but with the meat and juice still intact. I take it home and chop it open myself, to make sure its perfectly clean.
Each coconut is good for two servings.

I heart cardamom pods!

I have just discovered cardamom pods as a spice, and for aromatherapy. The smell of it really makes me smile :)

Cardamom pods

Tesco grocery items at SM Hypermart!

I usually get excited at seeing new international products at the supermarket...mostly because I am looking for healthy ingredients and treats to add to my favorites. I am glad that SM now has some products from Tesco, UK. I was delighted to see among the spices there, cardamom pods! I have been seeing it in recipes, but don't know what it is so I decided to try. When I opened the bottle and took a sniff, it was a heavenly scent! Then I tried using it in soups and fried rice, it added a very nice citrusy and minty taste.

I will be posting some more products as I try them. :)

7 Foods Rich in Iodine

Healthy no-fuss breakfast

When I'm lazy to make anything else, and I want to make sure I have a nutritious breakfast...this is what I usually prepare:

Breakfast

Half an orange, and half a mango, sliced
A cup of herbal tea
A cup of quick-cooked oatmeal flavored with cocoa and topped with crushed nuts Quick and yummy!

Eating Jackfruit seeds...

I guess it isn't as common here as it is in Thai or Indian food, to include jackfruit seeds in some dishes...
I prefer eating the boiled seeds on its own.

Last week we had one ripe jackfruit from our tree...it is not so big like what I usually see for sale. I wasn't able to tell our helper to save the seeds, so she threw it away :(