February 15th was Gum Drop Day. Gum drops are a type of candy, a favorite confectionery, blended with flavors, gelatins or pectins and infused with colors. After the mixture is set the candies are shaped into cones, then rolled in sugar. They are very sweet and are flavored with fruits and spices, both real and artificial. This colorful treat is also known as spice drops, and is frequently to be found in candy dishes. Cooks and pastry chefs use them for decorating cakes and cupcakes. At Christmastime they are popular additions to gingerbread houses, and are considered a traditional confection for the winter holidays.
Other popular flavors and shapes are orange slices and spearmint slices. Another variation taught in French culinary schools, is Pâtes de fruits, or fruit jellies. These are usually set up in a hotel pan and then cut into squares and coated by being tossed in sugar. Gummy bears and other childish shapes are another style of this candy. Sometimes their flavors are so good they are truly irresistible.
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Today is Almond Day. Surprisingly the almond fruit is not a nut but a drupe. Its flesh or seed is what we know as the almond. It comes from a tree which flowers and then the pod (drupe) grows and deep inside is where these tasty morsels can be found. There is an amazing amount of interesting data to be found about this food and it is also very versatile.
Almonds can be eaten raw, blanched, toasted, slivered, sliced, kept whole, smoked, salted, honey-roasted, ground into flour, used in frangipane or marzipane, made into oils and used many other ways. You’ll have to do a little research to see how extensively this almond fruit is used around the world. It’s amazing.
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For all you coffee lovers tomorrow is Cafe Au Lait Day! It is coffee made with steaming milk, unlike a white coffee, which is prepared with cold or room temperature milk. It can be made into a stronger version by using pressed French coffee, or dark espresso, and sometimes this is referred to as caffè latte. Whichever way you prefer your cup of joe, tomorrow is a day of appreciation for this tasty beverage, no matter how it’s brewed.
Tags: almond day, cafe au lait day, February, gum drop day