Grant and recently ventured off to Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, for the annual Bosman Release Celebration.
[Read more…]Aeropress – Coffee on the Go
As you know I love coffee! It has become such an obsession of mine. To such an extent, that I cannot go away without some sort of espresso maker in-tow! Lugging a coffee maker around, especially if space and electrical supply is limited, is not always practical. Enter the Aeropress!
Aeropress
I have heard so much about the Aeropress, that when I was offered to review it, I jumped at the chance! The AeroPress has fast become the cult brew method, of coffee lovers in South Africa and abroad. Due to the fact that its is easy to use, portable and 2-3times faster that pour over dripper, French press or syphon. There is also less sediment than with Italian mocha pots & French press.
This versatile coffee brewing option is unlike alternative manual brew methods, which demand very specific coarseness of grind to work. The AeroPress is less sensitive to grind size making it workable with any size coffee grind.
One of the main features, which I think is great is that it is Non-electric. It is also easy to clean!
What makes the AeroPress coffee maker so uniquely special?
Its patented dual brewing method is so advanced, its shared only with the most expensive commercial espresso machines. It’s this staged dual brewing method (immersion then pressure) that allows you to consistently extract more flavour quicker than any other manual brewing method such as pour over drippers, plunger coffee or french press, syphon, Italian mocha pot.
Stirring freshly ground coffee into hot water allows the coffee time to swell, and agitate and absorp into the water. Then plunging pressurizes the brew, evenly extracting more flavour in under a minute.
The micro-fiber filter papers removes all sediment and fines to ensure a perfectly clean cup, unlike Italian mocha pots and plungers/french press. It is light weight, compact and made from BPA free food safe plastic. All these features make it the perfect travel partner!
How to Use
The method is fairly simple, once you get the hang of it. After watching a few how-to videos, the above method seems the most practical and user friendly.
Place the paper filter, in the filter holder and prime with hot water. Then add your desired amount of coffee – the recommended amount is 15-20grams but I think I may require a bit more as I like strong coffee.
Add hot water to cover the coffee grind, then stir. Top up with hot water and then secure the filter.
Once the filter is in place, turn the Areopress around and place over a cup or jug, then press the plunger.
Hey presto you have a cup of freshly brewed coffee!
Verdict
I think the Aeropress is easy to use and being portable it ticks all the boxes for me. The only thing I need to work on is the ratio of coffee I am using, as the coffee was too weak for me. I did grind my own beans and I think perhaps I need to use a darker roast.
If you have used the Aeropress I would love to hear your thoughts – please leave a comment below. For more details or to purchase an Aeropress please visit the More Flavour Website. RRP 695.
Disclosure Ranking:2
Spirit Beyond Words – Cavendish Square
You may recall my FRESH Beyond Words display I created at Cavendish Square recently. Well it is time for the next instalment! The Beyond Words campaign launched in June and will run until the 13th December. As part of the campaign, Cavendish have asked me to create a “lifestyle” display for each of the Beyond Words themes. The theme for this month is SPIRIT Beyond Words. You are able to view the display on level P1 until the 23rd November.
Spirit Beyond Words
Inspired Living brings you gift & festive inspiration Beyond Words – to help you get into the Festive Spirit!
My inspiration for this display, came mostly from my love of Christmas! It has always been one of my favourite times of year. One of the best parts is decorating our home and making it Christmasy. It is something the whole family enjoys doing!
The main colour scheme I chose for my display is red and silver. Each year I like to decide on a specific colour scheme and carry that through from the tree decorations, to table decor, as well as the wrapping I use. In my display I kept the decorations on the tree to a minimum. I do not like over decorated trees! {that is my personal preference – if you prefer more then go for it!}
Fabulous Christmas in Cavendish has the most wonderful selection of Christmas Decorations. I could spend hours and a great deal of money in their shop!
Another aspect of the festive season I love is giving gifts. This can often be a rather frustrating task! Finding that “perfect” gift, especially as the shops get more crowded. The best way to stay sane, is to get your shopping sorted early. As well some festive decor inspiration, I thought I would share a few awesome gift ideas – to help you find that “perfect” gift! Please go and visit the Beyond Words display on P1 to see my SPIRIT Beyond Words look and get your dose of festive inspiration.
As well as being a wonderful source of inspiration, the Beyond Words Campaign offers shoppers the opportunity of winning prizes to the value of R400 000! You can enter at Cavendish Square on P1 from the 9th June until the 13th December 2015.
Items featured in Spirit Beyond Words Display:
Milk & Blue Scarf – Poetry
White & Read Scarf – Poetry
Comfort Book -Poetry
All Sorts of Salads Book – Poetry
A Homegrown Table Book – Poetry
4 Pack Painted Candles – Poetry
Pocket Note Books in Box – Poetry
Felt Angel – Fabulous Christmas
Melodie Stripe Cotton Towels – Poetry
Small Red Topiary Tree – Biggie Best
Slatted Bowl with Objet Balls – Loads of Living
Felt Angel – Fabulous Christmas
Silver Tall Candle Holder & Red Candle – Mr Price Home
Tea-light Candle Holders – Biggie Best
Standing Clock – Loads of Living
Small Red Topiary Tree – Biggie Best
Welcome Home Reed Diffuser – Loads of Living
Welcome Home Jar Candle – Loads of Living
Welcome Home Room Spray – Loads of Living
Welcome Home Scented Sachets – Loads of Living
Red Leather Handbag – Fossil
Red Leather Purse – Fossil
Beige Leather Purse – Fossil
Ladies Watch on Leather Strap – Fossil
Father Christmas – Fabulous Christmas
Octagon Mirrored Tray – Loads of Living
Gents Leather Wash Bag – Fossil
Gents Leather Wallet – Fossil
Gents Leather Bill Folder – Fossil
Gents Watch on Leather Strap – Fossil
Santa Biscuit Plate – Mr Price Home
Red Metal Bucket – Fabulous Christmas
Christmas Stocking – Mr Price Home
Felt Christmas People – Biggie Best
Painted Crate – Biggie Best
Rocking Horse – Fabulous Christmas
Hanging Christmas Sign – Mr Price Home
Christmas Tree & Decor -Fabulous Christmas
Large Red Topiary Trees – Biggie Best
For more gift inspiration visit the Inspired Living Gift Guide.
Image Source: Cavendish Square and Inspired Living
Big Breville Celebration – Christmas Comes Early!
Entries to this Giveaway are Closed!
Christmas is one of my favourite times of year! I love the beautifully adorned shop windows and carols that welcome you as you enter – all helping you get into the festive spirit! A big frustration at this time of year, however, are the maddening crowds. If you, like me, prefer to get an early start on Christmas, I have great news! @home is running a Big Breville Celebration, from 19 October to 25 December 2015.
Big Breville Celebration
The Big Breville Celebration offers customers amazing discounts! One item which immediatley caught my eye {you know how much I love coffee} is the Breville Bean to Cup espresso machine. During the sale you can get R1 200 off the espresso machine -awesome don’t you agree!
The Big Breville Celebration offers great price cuts on premium Breville kitchen appliances, from juicers, to blenders, to toasters with discounts ranging from R200 to R1 200. Customers can shop the sale online as well as in store. TFG Rewards & More cardholders are in for an extra treat and will receive an additional 10% off the discounted price. Non-members can simply register in store for Rewards & More to take advantage of the extra discount.
For all Breville promotions pop into any @home store between 19 October and 25 December 2015, or shop the discounts online @Home.
Win a R2500 @Home In-Store Voucher
To help you get into the festive spirit and get an early start on Christmas, I have a R2500 @Home in-store voucher to give away to one lucky reader!
To enter:
- Share the Big Breville Celebration giveaway on Twitter or Facebook – remember to use the hashtag #BigBrevilleCelebration.
- Leave a comment telling me what is at the top of your Christmas wish-list this year.
- Use the Rafflecopter form below to complete your entry.
- Please ensure you read the *Terms & Conditions below carefully, to ensure you comply with all the entry criteria.
- Social channels {please follow us if you do not already}:@Home – Facebook, Twitter
Inspired Living – Facebook, Twitter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Terms & Conditions:
- By entering this competition you automatically accept all the Terms and Conditions laid out below.
- Entries are open from 23rd November 2015 until the 4th December 2015.
- You must complete all the steps as stipulated above on the Rafflecopter Fome: Leave a Comment, Like and/or Share on Facebook or Instagram and/0r Tweet about the competition.
- To ensure that your entry is processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
- This competition is only open to South African residents and to readers who have not won a competition on Inspired Living SA in the past 6 months.
- *Please note: The voucher is only for use in-store and not online.
- Entries will be considered incomplete and thus disqualified if the entrant does not provide all requested information. Entry information will not be shared with any third party without the entrant’s prior knowledge and consent. The prize will go to the first name selected at random after the closing date.
- The prize is not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash.
- By “Liking” you enter and agree that this promotion is in no way associated with, administered by, or endorsed by Facebook; and acknowledge a complete release of Facebook by your participation.
Org de Rac Wine and Chocolate Pairing
You may recall a recent travel feature I published about my trip to Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, if not have a read. One of the activities which can be arranged at Piekenierskloof, is a Wine and Chocolate Pairing, with Org de Rac Wines. Instead of Org de Rac doing the pairing at the resort, we had the opportunity of visiting the estate.
Org de Rac Organic Wine Estate is situated in the Swartland, on the N7 towards Piketberg. The wine estate is definitely what I would call a hidden gem! One can not help but fall in love with the fantastic views, beautiful surroundings and warm friendly staff!
Org de Rac symbolises creation, conservation and respect for the virgin soil which belongs to tomorrow.
The estate prides itself on living the organic dream and embracing a biodiverse philosophy – a constant striving for balance between nature, people and business.
Org de Rac Wine and Chocolate Pairing
After a hearty lunch we got down to the business of wine and chocolate pairing! Tough job but someone has to do it! The chocolate component of our tasting was from CocoFair. CocoaFair for those of you who do not know, is Africa’s first bean to bar chocolate manufacturer – making it the perfect pairing with Org de Rac Organic Wines!
Wine and chocolate are a natural pairing or as I have been known to say – “a marriage made in heaven”! Both share similar components and have complex flavours and notes. When pairing wine and chocolate, the key is to pair a lighter chocolate, with a lighter wine and a dark chocolate, with a full-bodied wine.
We were first shown the proper technique for tasting both wine and chocolate. The first step is to discover the bouquet and flavour profile of the wine, by giving it a good sniff. Then sip the wine and swirl it in your mouth, noting the flavour components. Once you have done this take a small bite of the chocolate and allow it to melt on your tongue. Now take another sip of the wine. If the chocolate and wine are paired successfully the chocolate should enhance the flavour of the wine and vice versa.
Our pairings were as follows:
- Org de Rac Cuvee Laverne MCC with 38% Milk Hazelnut Chocolate
- Org de Rac Chardonnay with 30% White Chocolate
- Org de Rac Die Waghuis Syrah with 65% Dark Hazelnut Chocolate
- Org de Rac Cabernet Sauvignon with 65% Dark Chocolate
- Org de Rac Merlot with 65% Sea Salt Dark Chocolate
My two favourite pairings, were the Org de Rac Cuvee Laverne MCC, with the 38% Milk Hazelnut Chocolate and the Org de Rac Die Waghuis Syrah, with the 65% Dark Hazelnut Chocolate.
I was quite surprised about how much I like the MCC paired with the milk hazelnut chocolate. Dark chocolate is usually my favourite, as I find milk chocolate too sweet. The natural acidity of the MCC however, balanced the sweet nuttiness of the chocolate beautifully.
Die Waghuis was my favourite red wine of the day. I absolutely loved it paired with the dark hazelnut chocolate. The hints of dark chocolate in the wine and the lingering spicy finish, made it the perfect partner for the flavour intensity of the dark chocolate!
I learnt so much more about wine tasting in general, as well as food and wine pairing at Org de Rac and I also discovered a new wine estate!
As well as wine tasting the estate offers picnic baskets. You are welcome to bring a blanket along or be seated under the umbrellas on the benches. Please note that picnics need to be booked 48 hours in advance.
Opening times and Details:
Mon – Fri 9h00 – 17h00
Saturdays 9h00 – 13h00
Tasting: Org de Rac range is free of charge – Methode Cap Classique 2011, Chardonnay Unwooded 2013, Chardonnay Lightly wooded 2013, Merlot 2013, Shiraz 2012, Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
A Cheese Platter for 2 is R200 and a Picnic Basket for 4 is R350. For the little ones a Kiddies hamper is R50. Please visit the Org de Rac Website for more details on picnic menu and wine tasting.
Contact & Location:
Tel: + 27 22 913 2397 or + 27 22 913 3923 or email. Location: N7 between Moorreesburg and Piketberg. GPS: 32° 57′ 43.6″ S, 18° 45′ 0.2″ E
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- …
- 94
- Next Page »