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NIBS. Every had any? Nibs are raw chocolate pieces rolled in cocoa paste and mixed with sugar-cane juices. While you can munch them right out of a bag, they are notoriously delicious when combined with a (dark) chocolate bar, giving a crunchy, nutty taste.
I first stumbled upon Nibs a few years ago while strolling down a street in San Francisco while there for the Fancy Food Show. My son, Brian and his lovely wife, Charu (soon to be parents!) accompanied me into the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Factory where we joined a tour and learned about the Mexican and South American background of cocoa (chocolate). The tour ended with a tasting where we were exposed to chocolates ranging from a mild 60% cocoa up to the 72%. My favorite was the 62% with the crunchy Nibs.
Michigan Thyme carries Scharffen Berger chocolate bars with and without the Nibs. With a name like Scharffen Berger, it has to be good!
Michigan Thyme
Taste Testers
The Michigan Thyme Taste Testers held their first meeting a couple weeks ago and a good taste was had by all! A group of local customers are combining taste testing skills to help determine which new products will grace the shelves of Michigan Thyme. Most of the new products we sampled were from Michigan because we are building our repertoire of Michigan products. There were several Michigan fruit butters and preserves. Lots of blueberry, cherry, and strawberry combinations of fruits with rhubarb or lemon, for example.
The tasters were unanimous in their agreement on the new Waterthins Crackers and the Apple Reisling Salsa with chunks of fruit in it, while other products had their proponents and detractors. Tasters were given rating scales to help evaluate each of the 12 new products sampled.
If you would like to become a Michigan Thyme Taste Tester, stop in and talk with Janet.
Michigan Thyme will be drawing a name to give away a large assortment of Tea Forte products on Mother's Day. We will also be drawing someone's name or business card in the cafe on Mother's Day for a gift certificate for a free meal. All customers are eligible for both drawings.
Teaposy
The Perfect Gift
Have you ever heard of a Teaposy? The perfect gift for a friend, relative, and loved one. The Teasposy itself is in a foil packet. Inside the packet is a bud which opens into a beautiful flower which produces a wonderful tea when boiling water is added. To get both the visual and flavor sensations, a glass teapot is recommeded. Buy the teapot and teaposy separately, or in a gift box for Mothers day, for convalescents, or condolence, or just for fun. Available in several flavors at Michigan Thyme.
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