Creative Baskets - 5 Things I Love About a Gourmet Basket

If you want to send an acknowledgment or a delicious *hello* to anyone for any occasion or reason: There's something wonderful about the pleasures a gourmet basket gives. Not only when it arrives, but also, afterwards, when the specialty gourmet goodies have been delightfully devoured.

Read on to learn how creative baskets can make an ordinary occasion into an extraordinary event.

1.) I love a gourmet basket, simply because of the surprising experience it brings. The inviting, teasing and tempestuous edible delights fill my mouth with desire, consuming me with lingering memories that make me want for more.

And when an unforgettable gift experience lingers, I know it has that distinct deliciousness that I want my family and friends to experience. In other words, I have my list of future gifts 'sewn up,' or ... so to speak, 'the gifts are in the basket ready to go.'

Reason: It's a joy from the moment it arrives, to long after the last scrumptious bite has been deliciously devoured. The essence of surprise, coupled with multiple gifts of ... desirously ... exquisite tastes ... lay on the palate with traces of remembrances ... and all I can say is, "Yum."

2.) I love a gourmet basket because it's a basketful of unforgettable deliciousness, sent to me by someone I know and care about. And that special someone cares about me.

Reason: It's not your everyday gift, but a memorable treat filling the senses with pleasure. It's those delicious feelings of being highly thought of that makes a person feel genuinely good.

3.) I love a gourmet basket because there's a basketful of heartfelt wishes and fun, that I can send to anyone I know. They brighten my day into one of sunshine and happiness. And it doesn't matter, whether I'm giving or receiving the delicious goodies, I know they will bring joy to someone's life.

Reason: They can strengthen relationships, soothe broken hearts and bring smiles to anyone's face. Creative baskets leave you feeling like ... sprinkles of fairy dust just found you .. and ... something extraordinaire happened to please and excite you.

4.) I love a gourmet basket because I can tear into it the moment it arrives and have a surprise party. Sorting and discovering each individual gift is part of the festivities creative baskets bring. The scrumptious edible delights lay in wait for me to taste and test each one, while I mumble ... yum ...

Reason: They are immediately enjoyable and they don't come with instructions or batteries. The creations come with one thought only: ENJOY!

5.) I love a gourmet basket because I thoroughly enjoy devouring the delectable edible delights, either as slowly or as fast as I can. I can either share it or savor it and keep it all to myself. But what I REALLY love is sharing it with someone.

Reason: It comes with an assortment of specialty gourmet goodies. There's enough to share, both in taste and memories. What better party can one have, than to look someone in the eye and both agree on that same sound of ... yum ...

Imagine the joy and camaraderie taking place, when surprise creative baskets arrive. It's an almost magical experience, where opening the box is an anxious "Can't Wait" moment in one's life. The chatter, the excitement, the fun of tasting the yummy foods, prepared with special care and quality products, makes the experience ... so ... gourmet.

When it comes to gift giving, the part we love most is when our recipients enjoy the treasures we give them. That's the purpose of a gourmet basket [http://www.giftbasketjewels.com/gourmet_gift_baskets.html]. It's pure pleasure for anyone, straight from the get-go. For more information on these delicious edible delights [http://www.giftbasketjewels.com/gourmet_gift_baskets.html] click on the links (highlighted in blue).

From Shirley Bass

The Gift Basket Expert at GiftBasketJewels.com

Jewel of A Gift Idea!

Important Things That Gourmet Pet Treats Business Owners Must Ensure

Passionate dog owners who pamper their canine companions with special gourmet treats know just how their furry friends can benefit from well-chosen chow. Aside from satisfying the palate of man's best friend, the best natural selection of gourmet pet treats are nutritious & fresh for most of their shelf life.

Most gourmet treats that come in different flavors look yummy enough to be consumed by humans, and are designed with utmost care and detail, but look again. Are they safe enough to be eaten by your beloved pooches & feline friends? When buying at pet food stores or dog bakeries, make sure you know when the treats were made and what ingredients went into them.

Gourmet pet treats make nice rewards for dogs in training, but make sure you're purchasing from reliable stores. You wouldn't want to give anything less to your talented, adorable and playful pooches. Choose gourmet treats made from ingredients that dogs will find tasty an d which throw in some meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates.There are also premium quality dog treats that help freshen doggie breath & clean teeth, and improve digestion. The best natural treats for cats, on the other hand, help cats stay fit & healthy.

Given the rising demand for quality pet chow, it's not surprising to find enterprising pet lovers venturing into the gourmet pet treats business. To keep business brisk, gourmet pet treats business operators - especially those who love & value their own pet dogs & cats -- know the importance of adhering to a few cardinal rules. These include not resorting to deceptive advertising. Another all-important rule is to use only healthy ingredients. Good business operators committed to offering pet food products with superior palatability and nutrition avoid toxic fillers and artificial additives. So before you splurge on an amazing new line of gourmet pet treats or begin your own business make sure that the products will enhance your animal friends' health & overall wellness. Opt for pet treats made with organic ingredients laden with vitamins and minerals and which contribute to a stronger immune system, less allergies, and lead to more energetic, happier pets. Learn more learning the ropes of starting a gourmet pet treats business from home by checking out online guides and updating your knowledge with insider tips.

Karen Freeman is the author of Start Your Own Gourmet Dog Treats Business: Bake Your Way To Success. As a dog treats bakery owner, she shares her expert insider tips to starting and growing a successful dog treats business from home. Be sure to visit www.home-made-dog-treats-business.com for tips on how for you can turn your passion for pets into a successful business.

© Copyright 2010. Feel free to reprint this article on your site as long as the article is not modified

The Top 5 Things You Must Know About South African Food This World Cup?

The world is gripped by World Cup fever with the 2010 tournament kicking off in South Africa, bringing the world's most watched tournament to Africa for the 1st time ever. For all those lucky enough to be in South Africa watching some of the games or just to absorb the festive atmosphere, there are a few key facts you should know about specific South African food and drink - to experience the country and culture to the full.

While for those enjoying the world cup from their sofas in their home countries, wherever that may be, you may want to impress your friends or possibly South African colleagues with some food facts that most South Africans take for granted. So from the land of long white sandy beaches, wild animals, picturesque landscapes, breathtaking vistas and awe inspiring mountain ranges - here are some foods you definitely should not miss out on.

Biltong: Ask any South African abroad what he misses most and at least 9 times out of 10, biltong will feature in the top 3 most missed South African treats. Similar to 'beef jerky' in the USA, in that both are cured and dried meat, but the production processes are quite different. Biltong can be made from a variety of meat, including: wild game, ostrich or more commercially available beef.

Biltong is a long standing Afrikaner tradition evolved from the dried meat carried by the wagon-travelling Voortrekkers. The Voortrekkers were early settlers to the Cape Colony who ventured north into the interior of Southern Africa away from British rule during the Great Trek in the early 1800's. With no cold refrigeration and being constantly on the move they dried and cured the meat preserving it from decay and insects.

There are many herb and spice combinations, with each town or city having their own famous biltong supplier. For the best biltong its best to ask the locals or alternatively you can just try them all and decide for yourself.

Rooibos Tea: Grown only in the Cederberg mountains in the semi-desert Western Cape of South Africa, Rooibos (pronounce 'roy-bos' - Afrikaans for 'red bush') - is naturally green but gets its deep red colour and rich flavour from fermentation similar to that of black tea.

Although in 1772 botanist Carl Thunberg was the first Westerner to mention this wild shrub, the indigenous Khoisan were well aware of Rooibos' remarkable health benefits and had been brewing it for centuries. The Cape colony's early Dutch settlers adopted Rooibos instead of expensive black tea from Europe. In 1904 Russian immigrant Benjamin Ginsberg, recognising its potential, became the first to trade it from the Bushmen and pioneered its cultivation. More recently, Rooibos has become famous for being the favourite hot drink of Precious Ramotswe of 'The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency' novels.

Rooibos tea is full of natural powerful antioxidants and key minerals, and unlike green tea it has no caffeine and is very low in tannins, so all round a very healthy beverage - so much so that it is often bottle fed to babies, which explains why many South Africans are so addicted to it!

In South Africa it is common to drink Rooibos tea with milk, prepared similar to black tea in England, but to fully appreciate the tea it is best drunk black. The tea has a unique taste experience: an inviting vanilla aroma, woody flavours and a sweet, mild, fruity taste.

Rusks: With your cup of Rooibos why not try a rusk. Rusks are hard, dry biscuits (also known as 'beskuit' in Afrikaans) eaten dipped in cup of coffee, tea, or Rooibos. Historically, rusks evolved (along with biltong) during the country's early pioneering days as a way to preserve bread in the dry climate.

Traditionally baked at home using recipes handed down through the generations, the most famous commercially produced rusk brand is Ouma (grandmother in Afrikaans) Rusks. In addition to plain and buttermilk flavours, look out for homemade varieties made with amongst others aniseed, whole-wheat, condensed milk, muesli, and lemon poppy seed. Impress your South African friends; ask for an Ouma rusk with your cup of Rooibos!

Naartjies: Its winter in South Africa and Naartjies (or nartjie) like other citurs fruits are in season. A soft loose-skinned citrus fruit, Naartjies are similar to mandarins, satsumas or tangerines.

The name is Afrikaans and is originally from the Tamil word nartei meaning citrus. The word has been used in South Africa since 1790, but the first recorded English use is by Lawrence Green in the Tavern of the Seas 1947.

Naartjies are very popular at sporting events and can often find street vendors selling bags of the fruit outside football stadiums. So if you feeling like you missing out on your '5 a day' fruit and vegetables and looking for a healthy snack in between your Castle beer (most popular South African beer) and biltong, get yourself a bag of Naartjies.

Babotie: Babotie is possibly the one truly South African dish that you can't find anywhere else. Like rusks there are numerous varieties and every South African will swear to their mother or grandmother making the best Babotie using a recipe handed down through the generations. Babotie is a spiced minced meat baked dish with an egg-based topping and includes dried fruit (raisins or sultanas). Served with rice it is normally garnished with walnuts, chutney (ask for 'Mrs Balls Chutney' - the most well known brand) and bananas. Although not particularly spicy, the dish incorporates a variety of flavours that can add complexity, like for example dried fruit (usually apricots and raisins/sultanas), curry spices and milk.

South Africa has a very rich history and diverse cultural background, evidenced by the now 11 official languages and countless nationalities living in this naturally rich and beautiful country at the tip of Africa. Hopefully you have a few more facts of food info to not only impress your friends with but the truly appreciate and enjoy the country during this the first world cup hosted in Africa.

Sean Farrell is the founder of Chateau Rouge specialty foods. A passionate foodie, having grown up in South Africa, he loves Rooibos tea. Would you like to discover more about gourmet food and drink? Or discover some lesser known tea varieties, sign up for FREE newsletter updates: => http://www.chateaurouge.co.uk/

Gourmet Tea - What Makes Tea Gourmet? - Three Things You Need to Know!

Gourmet tea is becoming very popular! Just a few years ago, if you ordered tea, you just got what ever tea bag a shop or restaurant had, and that was it.

Today, many coffee bars, restaurants and specialty tea shops have an array of teas classed as gourmet to choose from.

So what makes a tea fall into the class of gourmet? We have named the top 3 things that make tea gourmet. They are part of our Tea Guide for Gourmet's.

Top Tea Tip #1 - Loose Tea is Gourmet!

In order for a tea to be considered gourmet, it should be loose tea - not a tea bag. Tea bags do not qualify as a gourmet type of tea.

Top Tea Tip #2 - First Flush Tea is Gourmet!

The quality of the tea must be excellent. Tea is graded and a poor quality tea will never make gourmet status. Some teas are of such high quality that they demand $100's of dollars a pound.

Top Tea Tip#3 - It's All in the Blend!

The blend..... ah the blend... do you have mango infused green tea? If you did you would have a sweet mango flavored green tea and in the dried tea you would see bits of dried mango amongst top quality green tea leaves.... just decadent!

Or how about an orange blossom oolong? One of my favorites with dried orange rind and dried blossoms in amongst high quality oolong tea.

Now I think your getting it! These are the top 3 things to look for when considering a gourmet tea. It wil not be inexpensive, but you will get your monies worth. Often high quality teas, such as first flush teas of the season, can be resteeped several times over. Giving you more tea for your dollar.

Just today I steeped a high quality gourmet oolong (which I paid $40/lb for) and steeped 4 pots from the original brew!

The tea was just as delicious on the 4th steep as the first.

So if you are looking for a gourmet cup of tea, follow the Gourmet's Guide to Tea and the top 3 things to look for and be prepared to pay a premium price for good quality tea.

Tracey is a tea enthusiast and the owner of Crazy For Tea Tea is her passion and she prides herself on teaching others about all the amazing teas out there to try. Lots more information about Gourmet Tea can be found in the Gourmet Tea Guide Keep up to date and join the Crazy for Tea newsletter.