Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tea. Show all posts

Saturday, January 25, 2014

How To Make Bubble Tea

As my Bubble/Boba Tea addiction has been spreading, I have been getting many inquiries about what it is and how to make it!  I previously wrote a blog about the background of the delicious drink and figured it was about time that I wrote a step by step instruction blog.  Enjoy!  And please let me know if you have any questions.

If you want to view the blog about what Bubble Tea is check it out: Bubble Tea: My Addiction

Today we decided to make Apple Cinnamon Honey Dew Bubble Tea :)  it was the most delicious combination of flavors yet!

Ingredients:
2 Cups Pearl Tapioca
3 Tbsp Honey (You can also use simple syrup if you prefer)
Apple Cinnamon Tea
Milk (I used Rice Milk)
4-5 squirts of Honey Dew flavored syrup
Wide Straws (Straws with Tapered ends make getting any remaining tapioca easier at the end of the drink)

Directions:
Get a sauce pan to a roiling boil with about 4 Cups of water.  (It is imperative that the water is boiling before you add the tapioca or it will turn into goop)
Prepare Tea
Strain out 2 Cups of Pearl Tapioca to shake off any loose powder.
Add the pearl tapioca to the boiling water and stir continuously for about 10-15 minutes (they should be a little bit chewy).
Pour into a strainer and run cold water on the tapioca to keep from sticking together.
Add 3 Tbsp Honey to a Container with a lid, heat up for about 15 seconds.  Add the tapioca to the Container and top just barely with cold water.  Stir until the honey is thoroughly mixed in.  
Pour the brewed tea in to a Large glass (possibly a pilsner glass) about 3/4 or a little more full.  Add 4-5 squirts of the Honey Dew syrup.  Put 2-3 Large spoonfuls of the Tapioca into the glass.  Top off with any kind of milk you would like, I used rice milk.  Place the straw into the cup and stir thoroughly.  Enjoy!

First you need the Tapioca! 
Put about 2 Cups of tapioca in a strainer and shake it around a little bit to get rid of any loose powder
Select a tea that goes with the flavor you want to use
Bring water to a rolling boil
Brew the tea
Add the tapioca and stir continuously
Pour the tapioca into a strainer and run cold water over top
Get the honey out
Add honey to a seal able container
Microwave for 15 seconds
Pour the tapioca into the container and top with water
Pour the brewed tea into the serving glasses about 3/4 of the way full

Add the honey dew syrup to the tea
Add 2-3 spoonfuls of the pearl tapioca
Top with Milk
Pick a wide straw to use
Add the straw to the glass, stir thoroughly and serve!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Bubble Tea: My Addiction

So I have to admit that from the first time that I ever visited San Diego (Back in 2002) I had my first Boba Bubble Tea.  It was in the Asian section that I was taken to by a guy that I was dating at the time.  I was immediately hooked and had to have it several times before we left and missed it desperately.  I had my mom order the stuff and we made some at home for awhile, but then I hadn't had it for years until a little shop started selling it here in Texas.  This reawakened my addiction and recently I decided that I needed to start making my own at home again.  As I rave about bubble tea I get a lot of people inquiring about it, so I decided to do a blog on some of the background of bubble tea to inform everyone who has been deprived of the awesomeness that it bubble tea.


Bubble Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, Boba Milk Tea, Boba Tea, Momi, Momi Milk Tea, etc Originated in Taichung Taiwan in the 1980s and has become so rampant that it is like going to get a soda here in the US.  Boba is slang for large breasts in Taiwan and that is what the large Tapioca pearls were referred to as and how it started being called Bubble Tea (In addition to the bubbles on the surface of the tea caused by shaking of the ingredients).  You may also hear the pearls referred to as ZhenZhu Chinese for Pearl.  In June 2012, even McDonald's started offering Bubble tea in Germany and Austria. 





The teas contain a tea base usually green or black tea, they are then mixed with fruit or a type of milk.  There are also ice-blended variations that are closer to a slushie as well as many powdered or syrup flavors to add a multitude of flavors.  You can use fruit and natural ingredients for a healthier way to make your own flavoring. 

There are hundreds of variations to the flavors and the ways that they can be served, but there is always tapioca and always tea if you want to go traditional.  There are powdered creamers, actual milks, such as dairy, soy, rice, almond, etc.  Flavors can come from syrups, from fruit, from powdered mixes.  Most shops will sweeten their tapioca pearls with simple sugar or honey but I have made it without sweetening many times and it tastes just as delicious. 

The oldest known bubble tea consisted of hot black tea, small tapioca, condensed milk and syrup or honey.  Usually the bubble is a chilled drink but you can have it warm or hot as well and it tastes just as delicious!  The small tapioca was also replaced with the large tapioca.  I have even seen some recipes that called for cubes of coconut jelly to replace the tapioca and for coffee instead of tea.  Essentially the possibilities are endless with over 250 variations readily available.

I have gotten quite a few recipes for flavors from scratch that we will be trying out and I will post a blog in the near future about how to make certain Boba/Bubble Teas and the recipes that we tried and approved of.  Now you know a little bit about Bubble Tea and if you like tapioca pudding and you like tea, I think you will most likely enjoy Bubble Tea.  Some people find it weird to "chew their drink" but if you can get over that, I think that it is awesome and fun and delicious!  I hope that you will at least give bubble tea a try sometime if you ever get the chance.  If you are ever in my area let me know and I will make some up for you!

My three favorite flavors right now are HoneyDew, Cantaloupe, and Hibiscus, but the possibilities are indeed endless!  





Saturday, September 28, 2013

Weird Things For Sale on Amazon Part 3

In case you have missed the previous awesome articles about Weird things for sale on Amazon you can find Part 2 at Weird Things Part 2 and Part 1 at Weird Things Part 1.

Tonight's version of Weird Things for sale is kicked off by a great suggestion from a friend with her asking me to look up a Shewee....  Now this product is a great starter, but I decided to use a similar product the "Go Girl" since it seems to be more versatile and have more add-ons.  In case you are like me and had NO idea what a shewee was, let me introduce you to the Go Girl. 

Go Girl Female Urination Device
In case that title didn't give you enough details, This urination device is able to be worn around your neck on a lanyard.  It comes with baggies and wipes.  The product description isn't overly detailed, I
guess the assumption was made that the title should really tell you all that you need to know.  So let's head to a few reviews to see what people had to say about this product. 

Top Reviews:
"I peed standing up; three times! Let me explain. I go hiking and off-roading frequently and there is always the issue of having to find a secluded place off the trail where I can drop trou and pee. It gets really annoying; not to mention the danger to my naughty bits (poison oak, ivy, spiders and mosquitos). There is the added awesomeness of not having to squat over a nasty public toilet for those of you that attend concerts or other large public access events/places. So I purchased (from Amazon) three different brands of "female urinary tools". The Urinelle (pack of 7 for $14.03), the P-mate (pack of 5 for $6.79) and the Go-Girl (1 with carrying case for $13.95). The Urinelle looks like a slightly altered paper cone you would normally see next to a water dispenser; it is bio-degradable but I felt was the least effective (I was also laughing really hard so I will use this brand again to confirm). The P-Mate is also bio-degradable, made of a thin cardboard and trapezoid-like in shape it was user friendly and you can dispose of it in a port-a-potty or pit toilet. It also folds in half or lies flat for convenient carrying. The Go-Girl is made of latex and reusable, and very easy to use. Over all I recommend the Go-Girl since you never have to worry about having one on hand for those spontaneous walks/rides in nature. Now I can just stand off in the trees like the guys do and maybe even write my name in the snow. "  -Zz Norton
*I am still a little confused after this review, do you pee into a bag or does the pee just come right out when you go.  It seems like there is a slight bit of Freudism here and also a large bit of germophobe, I can definitely see how it can come in handy though.  I have to laugh that the most used public place she could think of was a concert (she must have had a bad experience at some point haha. 

"I loved having the carrying case and wipes that this came with. I attempted to get the funnel back into the plastic tube it came in, and despite following the instructional video on their website, struggled. The pink tube is larger, easy to get the product in, and nice and discreet as it sits in my purse. The device itself is a soft, flexible funnel, and I was able to use it without problems on the first try. I was wary of just "letting it flow" based off of reviews indicating that some people have had overflow when urine didn't exit the little spout fast enough--it appeared to drain quickly, and was incredibly clean. I love the product (I hike and bike in all sorts of areas that don't have restrooms), and definitely like this little set as a starting place. -J. Shelton"
*I always love an honest review, and I think that this one answered my previous questions...

You can check it out for yourself at:Go Girl Female Urination Device 


Braza Secret Stash Detachable Bra Pocket
 I am guessing that it is pronounced like A-Ha as in you just discovered something haha.  It is "A lingerie pocket that attaches to the plunge of your bra, the hip of your panties, or your bra's wing" although it does require hand washing.  

Top Reviews:
"Bought this for my trip to Brazil. Best idea ever! Those stupid travelers belts that go around your waist are super uncomfortable, especially in 105 degree heat. The bra wallet is much more comfortable, and while you can't fit your passport in it, you really don't need to have your passports with you all the time. Plus it's a bit more subtle to quickly flip it out of your boobs than to have to lift up your whole shirt with a belt. Another advantage of the bra wallet over the waist belt is that you can wear under everything! (some low cut tops are problematic) But dresses are no problem. I imagine turtlenecks might pose a problem... but who wears turtlenecks anyways?
Downsides include, occasionally people can see it, especially if you're wearing something tight or low cut, or bend over. And when you have to get your money out, it can be awkward, or when you have to strap it back in. The plus of this, is that even if people can tell where your money is, they probably won't be able to steal it.
Also, if you have too much stuff in it, (cards/change/ect) the bulge can be quite noticeable.
Additionally, if you have small breasts, this might not be the product for you. I don't know, if you only kept cash in it, it would probably be fine. It's pretty thin just by itself.
Overall, I recommend! Well priced, and very very handy." -sarah

* As someone who is constantly storing stuff in her bra, I actually think this is an excellent product idea, and would totally try it out.

"I am pleased with this little "bra pocket". I placed it by my hip, on my pantie, under my jeans. I can barely feel it is there. I can easily fit 5 paper bills in cash, folded in half- the pocket can stretch slightly, and 3 credit cards. I'm sure I could actually fit more cash, since the pocket is stretchy, but that is what fits comfortably. I did not try it on my bra, since I wear a sports bra, and I didn't think it would work out well with this. I did place a safety pin over the velcro closure, including the flap, since I didn't quite trust velcro to secure my valubles. I could not feel the safety pin. ( which of course is optional)" -Nicketti
* I definitely appreciate the thoroughly descriptive review that Nicketti gave here with exactly how much can be stored in it.  Overall not THAT weird, and actually somewhat useful.

You can buy it at Braza Secret Stash Detachable Pocket

Runny Nose Shower Dispenser Gel
I have seen this one multiple times in my past browsing for weird things for sale on Amazon but it always kind of grossed me out, so I decided not to write about it until now.  I know I am over thinking the visuals here but ewww.   The features are as follows: "A funny nose shaped shower gel dispenser. Just squeeze the nose, and gel will ooze out from the right nostril."  I have to wonder, why
only the right nostril, seems weird to me.

Top Reviews:
"My teenager saw this online and couldn't stop talking about having it in his shower so I purchased it as a Christmas gift. (far be it for me to negate what he finds humorous despite how goofy it might be!) He was excited to put it up and try it out, and did so right after opening it. Half an hour later we went to check it out again and it had leaked the soap inside of it all down the wall of his shower. Thinking that he had incorrectly filled or attached it, we took it down, emptied it, cleaned it & the shower up, then refilled and attached it to the wall. Half an hour later, same problem. The seal between the rubber nose and plastic backing that attaches to the wall is no good. Nothing we did took care of the broken seal. Huge disappointment and not worth the postage to even return. Turned out to be a runny nose, not a soap dispenser. And I had to clean the shower twice on Christmas. Nice." -Mami
*Seems to me that this is more of a gag than a practical gift anyway.

"My son loved this gag gift. the soap does leak out a little and run down the shower wall, but, no worries, it just looks like snot. we also used just plain shower get when the green soap ran out, which worked, but the thicker the better. The suctions cups stick better to ceramic tile vs our glass shower door."  -Mae
*Some great tips on how to make it useful, I also saw other reviews that suggested turning it upside down when not in use to prevent leaking. 

You can check it out for yourself at: Runny Nose Shower Dispenser


Decodyne Sir Tea Infuser
This product description had me rolling: "Sir Tea is your perfect tea time companion. Load his little silicone pants and place him in your cup."  The endless possibilities of things that come to mind that you could load his little pants up with.....   

Top Review:
"Great little tea infuser that can start a conversation even before you're put it in the cup. Easy to clean and doesn't leave a weird taste in your tea like others I've tried." -chana
*Although this was the only review for the product it is adorable and if it does what it claims to do, I would definitely buy it and load his little pants up ;)

You can purchase him at: Sir Tea Infuser

Blue Q Breath Spray
With this product you can do a multitude of things (at least according to advertisement) such as: remember the names of everyone that you have slept with, communicate with your dad, understand your mom, enjoy your job, positive energy,Instant rehab, instant therapy, accept aging etc.  Man if this stuff is for real I definitely want a few of these.  The aging product description is as follows: "Just one spray gets you back to what you should be doing. Passionately experiencing life and walking into the mystery of tomorrow.The Enjoy your job spray is described as: "Realistically interact with clients and colleagues while in a controlled hibernative brain state!"  The positive energy one advertises: "Instantly heightens your inner magnetism so that wonderful things can't help but come your way. It's like you're magic!"  

Top reviews:
On the Communicate with Dad Spray: "I was told to give at least 24 hours for the spray to go through the system but WOW! After just 13 minutes of entering my mouth I felt a change IMMEDIATELY! I couldn't run to the phone fast enough! I quickly called my old man and asked how his day was! Hell, I even asked if I can go on the route with him. Ya know, learn a couple a tricks on the truck. Know what I mean?? So we're sitting at a local truck stop-off 95, we're bulls***tin, talkin bout getting my CDL, getting me a harley, s*** goin all nice. All of a sudden I'm starting to think, who the heck is this guy and why am I here? Luckily, I had my spray on me and quickly reapplied. WHEW! This s*** does wonders. I was able to order a lifetime supply, just hope I don't get immune to this. Whoever invented this, God bless your soul. You're saving daddy issues all over the world! I rate this product 10 stars!" -Marisa 
*Either this spray actually works, or it serves as a mental release for her to really be able to communicate with her father.  Either way the end result is what matters, so in that case the spray is effective :)

On the Believe in God Spray: "It took one little spritz.. My breath was fresher, mintier, and the taste of cigarettes was absolutely gone. I felt like I was kissing the holy mother herself. I got this strange sensation, waving through my whole body like electricity. Colors became brighter, everything was more vivid. Anything that moved left lingering, blurred trails. And then it happened.. I saw god.. He had long hair and a beard, loose fitting clothing and resembled my hippy roomate. He said "hey man! did you see a little spray bottle full of mint? I've been looking all over for it and I really need to find it now or we'll be late for the Phish concert." I handed it to god, a little hesitantly, who just just smiled and laughed. "Thanks dude, have a nice trip!" He even knew I had a long car ride ahead of me, but of course he did.. What a nice guy!" -Gerald Peters
*It sounds like somebody's breath spray may have been laced with a little something...  whatever works right???

You can purchase any of these sprays at: Acceptance Breath Spray

*Once again, thank you for reading and I welcome and and ALL suggestions and comments about what I have written about and ideas for the new weird things to buy on Amazon.