The Savvy Gourmet

A bite of biscuit and cookie history

The word biscuit applies to two distinctly different products in American and British English.

In British English it relates to a small and hard, often sweetened, flour-based product, most akin in American English to a cookie. It comes from the Latin word “biscotus”, which means "twice baked". Not surprising that it is referred to by a variety of names as “biscuit” in French, “biscotto” in Italian and “beschuit” in Dutch.

The second cooking of the biscuit, at 90-100ºC, is intended to remove the remaining moisture. The resulting dried and hard biscuit was the perfect easy-to-carry and long-lasting food for sailors. It would stay intact for years as long as it was kept dry.

In American English a biscuit relates to a softer bread product baked only once, somewhat similar to a scone. In Canada, the terms biscuit and cookie are used interchangeably, depending on the region, with biscuits usually referring to 'hard' sweet biscuits (like digestives) and cookies for 'soft' baked goods (like chocolate chip cookies).

Read more in:

A bite of cookie history by Food.ca.

Biscuit in Wikipedia.

Sherrry Vinegar, 50 years, from Bodegas José Páez Lobato

This 50-year old Sherry vinegar is produced entirely in Jerez de la Frontera, in Andalusia, Spain.

The ageing process is the “criaderas y soleras” method, which involves a system of casks (initially used to store wine) placed in a pyramid. The vinegar passes slowly from the top barrel (criadera) to the barrel at the bottom of the pyramid (solera), where it is periodically decanted and passed through the middle-layer barrels.

This lengthy process gives to this type of vinegar its amber colour, aroma and distinctive taste. A truly exceptional vinegar!

Producers in the Spotlight - Bodegas José Páez Lobato

Bodegas José Páez Lobato is a Spanish family enterprise that has a cellar containing more than 4,000 American oak barrels (500 litres each) and all the requisite equipment for maintaining their vineyard and processing their wines, sherries and vinegars.

The distinctive qualities of Jerez vinegars are a result of intensive care and slow maturation in American oak barrels: amber colour, delicate and fine aroma, and excellent taste. Not surprising their Jerez vinegars are exceptional.

Paprika? What’s that?

Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried fruits of Capsicum annuum (e.g., bell peppers or chili peppers).

Most commercial paprika comes from Spain, South America, California and Hungary. The highest quality paprika and most expensive paprika comes from Spain. It is known as “pimentón” and comes in three versions, mild, moderately spicy and very spicy. In Hungary there are six classes or types of paprika ranging from delicate to hot.

The colour of paprika, measured in ASTA´s, is the main factor used to determine the quality and price of the spice. The ASTA (American Spice Trade Association) system, the international measurement of the extractable colour, is the technical way for both buyers and suppliers to be assured that they’re speaking the same language. Paprika prices are generally given per ASTA unit per kilogram.

OGourmet offers more than a dozen paprika products, including the famous Pimentón de la Vera.

Read more in:

Paprika from RecipeZaar.

Spanish Paprika - What you need to know before you buy from MarketUno.com.

Producers in the Spotlight - Salinera Española

Salinera Española S.A. has been operating the saline fields since 1878. Fleur de sel from Ibiza island is one of the purest of all table salts.

For over 2.700 years, premium sea salt has been harvested in the saline fields on this Mediterranean island.

The “Queen of Salts” is hand-harvested in the nature reserve of the “Parc natural de ses Salines d’Eivissa”. Unique in taste and texture, it is a rare and precious delicacy.

The fragile “Fleur de Sel” crystals only form in conditions of abundant bright sunshine, low humidity and gentle winds.

Producers in the Spotlight - Major Craig’s

Major Craig's chutney made tasty! was founded by Andrew Craig in 2008.

His family history shows that one of his ancestors, Major James Craig, was one of five brothers from Largs in Scotland. During his career he worked for the East India Trading Company and was commissioned as an officer in the Indian Army.

The North India Chutney, now part of Major Craig's product line, was passed on down through the family from Major James Craig for 125 years and remains a family favourite.

Andrew Craig has worked in the food and beverage industry for the past 18 years. His passion for excellent service and exceptional food has been poured into his chutneys and his company.

Bouteillan Olive Oil from Mas des Bories (France)

Bouteillan extra virgin olive oil is an extra fine oil.

Lightly fruity golden oil. Flavour of citrus and fresh flowers. Light aromas of almonds and green herbs.

Olive variety: Bouteillan.

Awards of excellence:

2005. Gold Medal, Concours Général Agricole, French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

2005. Gold Medal, Concours Général AFIDOL (French olive oil association) Provence, Alpes and Côte d'Azur.

2005. Selected as one of the best olive oils in the world by the magazine Der Feinshchmecker from among 600 olive oils tested.

Producers in the Spotlight - Summer Kitchen

Summer Kitchen products are much appreciated by the “dare to be different” crowd.

Mary Fabiano is the director of Summer Kitchen Fine Foods Inc. The brainchild of two visionary sisters in Paris, Ontario, they both managed the firm until 1996 when Mary spearheaded the company into a new age.

Her Cordon Bleu training and her work with some of the most innovative caterers in Toronto and Italy have left their mark, and she places a big emphasis on quality. Combine this with her passion, creativity and endless curiosity, and you have an award-winning formula for a successful food company such as Summer Kitchen.

Summer Kitchen has received many accolades. In February of 2006, Summer Kitchen won “Best in Show” honours and the $10,000 grand prize at the Canadian International Food and Beverage Show in Toronto.