How to select an ice cream scoop

Remember when an ice cream scoop was—well, an ice cream scoop. An old-fashioned ice cream scoop still gets the job done, especially if it has a nice heft and balance and is long enough to get some leverage. And the traditional spring action, quick-release ice cream scoops are hard to beat if they are sturdy and well-made. (Stay away from the cheap ones and don’t buy plastic mechanical scoops.) They are not the best for leveraging through rock hard ice cream but they form attractive scoops that pop out with a squeeze of the hand. But today there are alternatives that will let that rock-hard ice cream slip easily from your scoop into the bowl: anti-freeze scoops, microwaveable scoops, and aqua scoops that you fill with warm water. With so many good scoops, choosing a scoop is largely a matter of preference. But when do you want an ice cream spade instead of a round scoop? An ice cream spade works best in hard ice cream cutting through easily and scooping plenty. It's easier to press the spade through the hard ice cream with force and leverage though anti-freeze, microwave, and warm water scoops help. Round scoops are perfect for softer ice creams and make nice round balls for ice cream cones. What are your choices? 1. Creamery Anti-Freeze Ice Cream Spade. This is the kind of spade that you see at the creamery ice cream stores. It is filled with an anti-freeze agent so that the ice cream will not stick to the spade. It’s big and tough for digging through hard blocks of ice cream. Our Smooshed Ice Cream Set includes two of these spades. 2. Deluxe Quick Release Ice Cream Scoop (Large). This is a very good quality, spring action type ice cream scoop. It is made of heavy duty 18/10 stainless steel and is equipped with a heavy duty spring. Makes 16 scoops per quart. Can be used for meatballs and mashed potatoes. 3. Deluxe Quick Release Ice Cream Scoop (Medium). This is of the same construction as the large is a quality, heavy duty ice cream scoop. Makes 50 scoops per quart. This is ideal for making drop cookies. 4. Aqua Ice Cream Scoop. This scoop relies on warm water for easy scooping. Remove the plug, fill with warm water, and scoop. The design creates heat in the head where it is needed the most. This is a top-of-the-line product. 5. Easy Grip Jumbo Ice Cream Scoop. This is a nine-inch long scoop with a deep curve and tip designed for easier scooping. Unlike many scoops, this one has the leverage and tip to cut through hard ice cream. It makes extra large scoops. This quality scoop has a nice heft and balance. 6. Microwave Ice Cream Scoop. Heat the scoop in your microwave for 30 to 40 seconds. The scoop will then cut easily through hard ice cream.

Gourmet coffee not just for the rich and famous

You wake up to the smell of coffee brewing--but can you tell if it is gourmet coffee? Gourmet coffees, which like fine wine were once a symbol of prestige, are now sold everywhere--fine coffee houses, grocery stores and retail discounts stores. Franchises have been built around the sale of gourmet coffee in the past 20 years and many will allow you to order your cup of gourmet coffee through a drive-thru window. What caused the increase in popularity of gourmet coffees? Did everyone just decide they need a dash of mint, a hint of vanilla or an ounce of caramel? It is unlikely that the rise in gourmet coffee sales was due only to a change in our taste in coffee. Marketing and a good product is most likely the reason for the increase in gourmet coffee sales in the past 20 years. It is fashionable to walk around with a coffee cup sipping on the latest gourmet coffee sold at the trendy coffee house. Many people are introduced to gourmet coffees when they receive a gift set at Christmas or for a special occasion. These gift sets may included a variety of flavored gourmet coffees such as almond, chocolate and Irish cream. The gourmet coffee is often placed in a designer mug that you will most use when you drink your gourmet coffee after it is brewed. Many convenience stores offer flavored coffees that are marketed as gourmet coffees, along with espresso and cappuccino. While these coffees may taste like they are gourmet, they are usually derived from coffee grounds found on grocery store shelves. That’s because the real secret to gourmet coffee is not in the flavor, but in the type of coffee bean. Gourmet coffee is composed of Arabica beans, while most canned coffees are made from robusta beans. These Arabica beans will grow in mainly sub-tropical regions. Good weather is important to the growth of these gourmet coffee beans. Gourmet coffee is often identified by its name and that name can come from a variety of derivatives, include the region where the bean is grown. You may want a cup of Colombian gourmet coffee. This type of gourmet coffee gets its name from the country where it is grown. But another type of gourmet coffee, French Roast, has nothing to do with France but with how the bean is roasted. Gourmet coffee has found its way to grocery stores in recent years and you can find a variety of inexpensive gourmet coffees to try at home. Many of the packaged gourmet coffees are paired with a hint of flavor. Favorite gourmet coffee flavors include vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, peppermint, chocolate mine, Irish Cream and caramel to name a few. Some people like to add more than just cream and sugar to their gourmet coffee. Whipped cream, chocolate chips and fruit juices are popular additions to gourmet coffees. So when you wake it to your morning cup of java, why not make a cup of gourmet coffee? Try exotic gourmet coffee flavors and add more than cream and sugar. You may find yourself addicted to gourmet coffee.