Tea Up for Well-Being
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN
As the evenings turn cooler, our beverage choices also shift to warmer temperatures and more comfort and health-oriented drinks. Tea is the most popular beverage in the world, second only to water, and has a range of flavors, benefits, and culinary applications.
Tea has a simple recipe – water and some form of the leaves of the Camelia Sinensis bush, it is most often made with hot or warm water, but can be made with cool water, such as “sun tea”. That simplicity earns it a spot on the list of whole foods, or more accurately, whole food-derived drinks. Interesting to note that America is the primary country where tea is enjoyed cold – the demand for functional beverages that are portable and personal has created a unique opportunity for tea as a grab-and-go beverage. Approximately 75 – 80% of tea consumed in America is iced. ¹
The first written records of tea as a medicinal beverage were found in China, around the 3rd century A.D. Modern research has been able to identify specific compounds that may have health benefits, including polyphenols such as flavonoids, theaflavins and catechins, all antioxidants. Observation studies connect 2 -3 cups of tea per day to reduced risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. More research must be done to define intake and specific health impact, but tea has a place on the table for traditional teetotalers and health seekers alike.
Generally, caffeine content of a cup of tea is 50 mg or less, half the content of an 8 oz cup of coffee. ² Time brewing and form of tea also impact caffeine content. Tea assists with hydration, and contains the amino acid theanine, which research hints supports brain health. This makes it a perfect beverage for that afternoon energy-seeker, busy parents recharging between work and evening family activities, or an end-of-day stress soother.
Tea is also riding the innovation wave as more functional beverages that include nootropics, ingredients that enhance energy, focus, and relaxation, or added vitamins and minerals. Culinary innovations include using flavored teas (such as green tea with lemon) as a poaching liquid for seafood or chicken, or macha (green) tea powder as an ingredient in baked or dessert items. Tea is even in barbeque sauce!
I had the opportunity to see a tea plantation and enjoy a tea ceremony in Japan. The evergreen shrubs were beautiful and carefully tended. Tea grows at higher elevations in many Asian countries – it was a beautiful landscape and is where I was first introduced to green tea.
Tea flavors are shaped by the terroir or soil/climate/altitude of the place it is grown. ³ They are also defined by the part of the plant that it is made from, and the types of processing those plant elements are subjected to. Finally, they may be enhanced by essential oils, or combinations with other plants, such as herbs or spices (such as Chai, a tea spiced with cardamom and cinnamon). Tea truth – beverages made with herbs, spices, flowers and other plants that do not include the Camelia Sinensis leaves are not teas – they are tisanes. That term is more technical – “herbal tea” is a more consumer-friendly description and has become the more common term used for those brewed beverages.
Take some time to explore the amazing world of tea with the many varieties and flavors you can find in stores. You will find yourself in good company – 159 million Americans enjoy tea each day! ⁴
¹, ⁴https://www.teausa.com/teausa/images/Tea_Fact_2021.pdf
²IFIC, accessed 9/7/22, https://foodinsight.org/coffee-and-tea-can-hydrate-too/
³Tea Aroma Formation https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221345301500018X
Cacao, Cocoa, and Chocolate: What are the Differences?
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
‘Tis the season for curling up by the fire while drinking a delicious cup of hot cocoa. Cocoa can be used for so many different food recipes, as well as in drinks. Before we get into that, what exactly is cocoa, and what is the difference between cacao, cocoa, and chocolate? Let’s dive in!
Cacao (pronounced kuh-kau) comes from the Theobroma cacao tree which is Native to South America, West Africa, and parts of Asia. Cacao and cocoa are essentially the same thing, but in different forms. Cocoa is made from cacao, to put it simply. Cacao is the natural form, whereas cocoa is more processed. Cacao tends to have a bitter taste compared to cocoa which is sweeter.
Now that we understand the difference between cacao and cocoa, where does chocolate fit into the picture? Chocolate is made from cocoa powder mixed with other products, such as milk, sugar, and cream. Depending on the type of chocolate and where you buy it from, there may be other ingredients mixed in, such as almonds, cranberries, sea salt, etc.
Check out some of our easy and delicious recipes! Happy National Cocoa Day!
Spinach, Black Bean, & Corn Salad with Chipotle-Cocoa Vinaigrette: Who says salads can’t be fun? Try this nutrient-packed salad with a cocoa twist!
Chocolate-Zucchini Muffins: Are you a fan of muffins? Try this super easy recipe for a breakfast on-the-go!
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches: It may be cold outside, but a warm chocolate chip cookie with ice cream in the middle will make anyone’s heart melt!
Emerging COVID-19 Treatments
COVID-19 continues to remain prevalent and affects people daily across the globe. Fortunately, there are some FDA-approved treatments and Emergency Use Authorization medications available to treat COVID-19. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) treatments are medications that are not FDA-approved but are allowed to be used under certain conditions in the US.
FDA-approved Treatments
The FDA has approved an antiviral drug called Veklury also known as remdesivir. This drug is administered intravenously (IV) and is for adults and certain children with COVID-19. Remdesivir works by stopping the virus from replicating in the body.
Another drug that is approved by the FDA for certain hospitalized adults is called Olumiant also known as baracitinib. This drug is an oral medication that works as an immune modulator that helps to block the virus from entering and infecting lung cells. Baracitinib is also used as an EUA medication in certain hospitalized children with COVID-19.
Emergency Use Authorization Treatments
There are several treatments available for adults and children called monoclonal antibodies that are IV medications. Monoclonal antibodies work by helping your immune system recognize and respond to the virus.
Two oral medications are available for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Both medications are antiviral medications that help to prevent the virus from replicating.
One of the medications is called Paxlovid also known as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Paxlovid may be used in adults and children older than 12 years old who weigh at least 88 pounds. The other oral antiviral medication is called Lagevrio also known as molnupiravir. This medication is only used in adults.
Which treatment is right for me?
If you develop symptoms that could be COVID-19, get tested immediately. If you test positive for COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for any treatments. Some people may not qualify for certain treatments. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine which treatment option is best for you.
Fabulous, Fudgy Brownies & More!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
There is nothing better than taking a bite out of a warm, fudgy brownie with creamy vanilla ice cream on top. Brownies are so good that not only do they have one national day, but they have two! December 8th is National Brownie Day and February 10th is National Have a Brownie Day. Since today is December 8th, Price Chopper and Market 32 have so many ways for you to celebrate that you may not even realize. Some of our options include freshly baked brownies from the bakery, brownie mixes in the bakery aisle, brownie ice cream, brownie energy bars, and more! Be sure to check out our fantastic brownie recipes at the bottom of this blog.
For those of you that may be interested in making your own brownies either from scratch or from a mix, did you know that there are so many add-in options? While walnuts are the most popular addition to brownies, take a look at some other choices below!
Nuts: Chopped Walnuts, pecans, and almonds add the perfect amount of crunch to the gooey-goodness! Sprinkle in coconut for some extra flavor and sweetness.
Morsels (Milk/Dark/White Chocolate or Peanut Butter): Morsels are a great addition to add on top of the brownies or directly in the batter. If you are feeling like taking your brownies to the next level, try adding in all four morsel flavors above!
Candy Pieces or Candy Bar Chunks: You cannot go wrong with adding in candy pieces or candy bar chunks. Try M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, peppermint pieces (perfect for the Holidays!), heath bar pieces, etc.
Peanut Butter: Name a better combo than peanut butter and chocolate…If you are a peanut butter lover, try adding in ½ cup of melted peanut butter either in your brownies, on top of the brownies, or both. Microwave for no longer than 30 seconds. There is also the option of chopping up Reese’s Peanut butter cups for the batter.
Nutella: Adding Nutella to your brownie mix is a must! Just like adding peanut butter, microwave ½ cup of melted Nutella for 30 seconds and add in the batter or on top of the brownies.
Cookie Pieces: Crush up some cookies and add to the mix. Crushed Oreos work perfectly in or on top of brownies.
Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are perfect to add in your brownie mix or to place on top of the batter before baking. Please keep an eye on the marshmallows as they bake – You do not want them to brown or burn!
Caramel Syrup: If you have never had caramel in your brownies, stop what you are doing and pick up some caramel syrup and brownie mix! It will not disappoint.
Frosting, Powdered Sugar, or Fruit: We have so many frosting options in our baking section. If you rather keep it simple, powdered sugar and fruit are great add-ons as well!
Magic Brownie Bars: Only five ingredients? Yes, please! The mix of chocolate with nuts will instantly bring a smile to your face!
Brookie Muffins: On a time-crunch? All you need is your favorite brownie mix, nonstick baking spray, and peanut butter cookie dough!
Red Velvet Brownies with Cookies & Cream Frosting: Bring some holiday cheer in your home with these delicious Red Velvet Brownies!
Boasting About Blueberries
It’s always blueberry season. Production in North and South America make blueberries an option all year round. Here in the U.S., they are grown coast to coast, with blueberry farms functioning in 38 states. However, more than 98% of blueberry production in the U.S. happens in just 10 states, Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Michigan, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Minnesota. Let’s celebrate this year-round superstar by highlighting some of our favorite recipes!
Blueberry-Mango Crisp: Blueberry teams up with mango to make this delicious crisp a must-try.
Blueberry French Toast Bake: Waking up and enjoying some French toast in the morning is a great way to start the day. Take your recipe to the next level by adding blueberries.
Blueberry-Banana Chia Seed Muffins: In this tasty muffin recipe, blueberry and banana flavors work in perfect harmony.
Zabaglione with Fresh Berries: Zabaglione is an Italian dessert made with egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine. Blueberries, along with raspberries and strawberries, make great additions to the dish.
Grilled Fruit Pizza: Tired of your same old pizza order? Try this Grilled Fruit Pizza featuring cream cheese, pecan pieces, honey, and an array of tasty fruits, blueberries included.
Four-Berry Hazelnut Crisp: Another cozy crisp for the cold winter months. This Four-Berry Hazelnut Crisp does the trick every time.
Whole Wheat Blueberry-Nut Pancakes: Much like French toast, blueberries elevate breakfast when they are added to pancakes. In this recipe, the blueberry-nut addition is excellent.
Granola Bites: This Granola Bites recipe is a tasty snack for any occasion. In this case, dried blueberries make for a great ingredient.
Homemade Vanilla Pudding with Berries: Lastly, add some berries to your homemade vanilla pudding with this recipe. You’ll be surprised how delightful it turns out.
For more, visit: https://blueberry.org/
Creative Cookies for the Holidays!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Cookies, cookies and more cookies! The holidays are quickly approaching, but do not panic! Whether you are baking cookies for a holiday party, an office cookie swap, or getting your baking out of the way now and freezing everything, Price Chopper and Market 32 have you covered. We have all the best ingredients needed to make cookies from scratch. However, we understand that finding time to make homemade cookies can be troublesome. Not only do we have an abundance of cookie mixes in our baking aisles, but we also have a wide variety of gourmet cookies from our bakery department. Our bakery teammates are readily available to assist and answer any questions you may have. Be sure to check out our outstanding variety of cookies that are out on display. The collection of our gourmet cookies is located at the end of this blog.
Considering today is National Cookie Day, we want to provide you with some delicious cookie recipes from our website. These are perfect for the holidays, or just to try something new. Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s celebrate National Cookie Day the right way – by enjoying our favorite cookies of course!
Hot Chocolate Cookies: Can these cookies get any cuter? Tip: Pick up PICS hot cocoa mix to enjoy while serving these cookies!
Almond Macaroons: With just six ingredients, these macaroons are simple, nutty, and a great addition to your cookie platter!
Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies: What’s a holiday without decorating sugar cookies? Be sure to grab icing, sprinkles, and any other candy the kids will love in our baking aisles.
Pumpkin Cookies with Orange Glaze: Pumpkin and fresh orange are the perfect pair. Surprise your guests with a different type of cookie this holiday season.
Cranberry, Lemon, & Pistachio Shortbread Holiday Cookies: The flavors in this cookie are unmatched. Click on the link to watch a short clip on how to make this incredible recipe!
Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, & Dried Cherry Cookies: There is a lot going on in this cookie! To add even more to the batter, feel free to roll in chopped walnuts or pecans.
Happy holidays from Price Chopper and Market 32!
It’s Canning Season!
One of the best parts of summer is easy access to an abundance of fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables. However, when the colder months roll around we are once again left deprived of these natural delights. Enter canning! Canning is a method of preservation, and the best way to enjoy summertime vegetables throughout the colder months.
Canning is an essential and safe, if done properly, method to food preservation. The canning process involves placing foods such as fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, pickles, and other preserves, in jars and heating them to a temperature that eliminates micro-organisms that cause the food to spoil. During the heating process, air is driven out of the jar and as it cools a vacuum seal is formed. This seal prevents air from getting back into the jar, preventing these micro-organisms from contaminating the food and leading to successful preservation.
With fall fast approaching, we’d like to share some home canning tips to help you have as much success as possible this year. If your garden has been a success this year, you’ll probably have a good amount of vegetables to can! And if you’re canning from store-bought items, make sure to read your ingredient list closely and beforehand to see if ingredients need to be prepped before the canning process. For example, does your watermelon rind need to be soaked in brine overnight before you can begin the pickling process?
When it comes to filling, experts have said that sterilizing jars and lids is not necessary because all bacteria will be eliminated in the process. Therefore, you can reuse jars from previous years, as long as they are in good condition. You’ll just need new lids to ensure a tight seal. Jars should be washed and dried before they are filled. It’s important to soak your new lids in hot water for ten minutes to soften the rubber edge, and help the lids grip on the top of the jar when the rings are screwed on.
Once the jars have been successfully processed, let them sit, untouched for at least an hour. As the jar cools the lids will sink into the center and you may hear a “ping” sound, indicating the lids have sealed. Store your jars away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place. Processed foods typically are good for a year, although many items will not spoil for a longer period of time. If you see mold, discoloration, or smell something funny, discard the food immediately. If a jar’s seal has been compromised discard of the food immediately, and ultimately, when in doubt, throw it out.
What’s basically the main ingredient in canning? Mason jars! We have them: Order yours from us here.
Happy canning!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
The days are getting shorter, nights are longer, and the air is much colder. This time of year can be tough, but we have a way to bring some color to your home! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we take pride in our beautiful floral department and have incredibly talented teammates that are readily available for assistance.
We have a wide variety of flowers and colors available year-round, including Pompons, Poinsettias, Sunflowers, Roses, Bouquets, and much more. Whether you are celebrating the holidays, a birthday, anniversary, or another milestone, these flowers also make for the perfect gift. With the proper care, our flowers last for a couple weeks at a time and are sure to bring some happiness to your home this winter season!
Pompons:
We have an array of pompons in our floral section. Colors include purple, lavender, yellow, pink, white, green, and tie-dye. Interestingly, pompons bloom in various forms. Some can resemble daisies and others can look like buttons. They are the second most-sold flower worldwide, only outsold by roses. Be sure to stop in today for your fresh bunch of poms!
Roses:
Show your love this holiday season with a fresh bouquet of roses! Did you know that we also sell single roses? Well, now you do! Stop by your local Price Chopper and Market 32 and be sure to check out our beautiful rose options with varying colors.
Bouquets:
We have stunning bouquets that can be given for any occasion, or just to add some joy in your home. If you cannot find what you are looking for, our florists can create custom bouquets as well.
Don’t wait any longer! Head to our Floral Page to browse through our stunning selection of flowers.
How to Avoid Winter Colds
Cold season is right around the corner and there are several ways to avoid getting sick. If you do get sick, there are ways to get you feeling better too.
Preventing Transmission
-The best way to prevent colds is with good hand hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds frequently during the winter months.
–Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands to prevent the virus from entering the body.
-Stay away from people who are sick. Being in close contact to others who are sick can easily spread the virus to you.
If You Get a Cold
-The best thing to do is to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
-Supplements such as zinc, vitamin C and elderberry may help reduce the length of a cold. Zinc lozenges have shown to be effective at reducing the length of a cold when started within 24 hours of symptom onset.
Let Us Bake the Cake!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
With Thanksgiving all wrapped up, it is time to start thinking about your next holiday celebration. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we are proud to have a fantastic Bakery Department at all of our stores that produce the finest baked goods, including custom cakes for any celebration. Since today just happens to be National Cake Day, we wanted to give a special shout to our incredibly talented and dedicated bakery teammates who make this all possible!
What type of cakes will you find in our bakery? We have an array of bakery cakes including sheet cakes, specialty cakes, cupcake varieties, ice cream cakes, cheesecakes, and cookie cakes just to name a few. Be sure to browse our bakery cake collection below, or speak with a bakery associate for a customized cake!
If you are looking to be more adventurous this holiday season, take a look at some of our mouth-watering cake recipes below. They are sure to be a hit!
Orange-Scented Olive Oil Cake: Yes, you read that right – A cake made with olive oil! The combination of cinnamon and orange is sure to have your guests in awe.
Dried Cherry-Lemon Tea Ring: This dessert would be perfectly paired with a hot cup of tea. Be sure to include red, green, & white icing to make this cake super festive!
Spiced Apple Coffee Cake with Pecan Oat-Streusel: With only six ingredients, your tastebuds will be jumping for joy this holiday season!
Eggnog Poke Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: What’s a holiday without eggnog? Well, have you ever had an eggnog cake? Now that you have this easy recipe, why not give it a try?
