Wednesday, October 09, 2023

How to Choose a Pineapple

Choosing a Pineapple

Choosing a Pineapple

 

How to Choose a Pineapple

If you love tropical fruit, chances are you love pineapple, too. But pineapples are one of those fruits that are really difficult to figure out how to pick. Luckily there are some really simple ways to figure out whether or not a pineapple is ready to eat or not. You want a ripe pineapple, because if you get an under-ripe pineapple it can be very acidic and hard on your stomach. Also, a pineapple that isn’t ripe enough isn’t very juicy and is not very tasty. Here’s how to ensure you are picking out a delicious, juicy, ripe pineapple.

 

 

Pull on a Leaf
Some markets are not very happy with visitors who pull leaves out of the produce, but most of them don’t notice or don’t mind if you take a small tug on a pineapple leaf. If you pull on the leaf by giving it a few gentle tugs and it doesn’t come out, it’s probably not ripe. On the other hand, if you barely pull on the leaf and it slips right out, it might be rotting already. Give a gentle tug, like you were straightening your shirt, and if the pineapple leaf comes out with minimal resistance you’re good to go.

 

 

Press on the Skin
The beautiful pattern that makes up the exterior of a pineapple also serves as a poking platform for shoppers hoping to find a ripe pineapple. If you push slightly on one of the little hexagons covering the exterior and it gives ever so slightly, you likely have a ripe pineapple. If the skin doesn’t give at all, the pineapple is not ripe, and if it sinks in, it’s rotten.

 

 

Smell the Bottom
The easiest way to tell if a pineapple is ripe or not is to lift it up and smell the bottom. The base of a pineapple should smell strongly of sweet, delicious pineapple. If you can’t smell anything, the pineapple is not ripe.

 

 

Color (Sometimes)
Color is not the best indicator of ripeness, as some ripe pineapples are yellow and some are very green in appearance. However, a general rule of thumb is that the higher on the pineapple the yellow color goes, the riper it is. Almost every pineapple that is ripe enough to eat has a yellow base; however, if the pineapple has the right smell and you can pull out a leaf easily, don’t put too much weight on the color. Color is a helpful indicator at times, but certainly not the definitive characteristic of a ripe pineapple.

 
Things to Remember
There are a few things you need to keep in mind as you shop for a pineapple. By looking for the above indicators of ripeness and keeping the following things in mind, you can almost guarantee that you will pick out a perfect pineapple.

 

 

• Pineapples do not ripen after they are taken from the tree, so if a pineapple is not ripe at the store, it won’t get any riper at home.
• To make sure you’re getting a wonderful, juicy pineapple, feel for weight. If a pineapple with good indicators of ripeness feels heavy for its size, it’s bound to be a very good choice.
• The easiest way to cut a pineapple is to cut off the top, slice it in half vertically, and then cutting the halves into slices, horizontally, from top to bottom.
• Don’t throw the waste from your pineapple into the trash. Instead, put it in the green garbage can that most cities provide; that way it can become compost and be reused, putting the entire plant to use!

 

 

I’m always on the lookout for gluten free recipes as my daughter has to be gluten free. I found this book at Amazon (you can get it at almost all bookstores) that has a recipe for a gluten free Pineapple Smoothie that even I like.. (I LIKE GLUTEN, LOL).

 

 

This is an affiliate link and we get a small commission if you decide to buy the book from the link below. We don’t hide that fact. It is not going to cost you anymore money, but it does help us pay our hosting fees.

Wednesday, October 09, 2023

Making Homemade Soda

soda1

Get The Fizz In Your Home By Making Homemade Soda!

Nothing beats a cold and refreshing soda on a hot summer day. It soothes your throat and nerves and leaves you feeling remarkably refreshed. When you get the cravings for the soda sensation, do not think about how far the store is but how close your refrigerator is because you can make your own soda right in your own kitchen.

 

Many people think that making soda is a complicated process whereas it is not the basics are sugar some flavor and carbonation. You need the complex machines if you are doing mass production but creating a few bottles should be no problem whatsoever.  If you are in doubt about the authenticity of such home making methods, then be assured that making soda at home has been tried and tested over the years.

 

Many have been making refreshing drinks from plants in the gardens hence the name of such popular brands like ‘root’ beer and ‘ginger’ ale. The inventor of the recipe must have had aging children pulling at her skirts on a hot summer day or so I believe.

 

 

 

 

What you need to know about soda making

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Commercial soda is made using water, artificial flavor and carbon dioxide. The flavor and water are in the form of corn syrup then once the liquid is made, the gas is pumped into the soda through force carbonation. The difference with homemade soda is the lack of equipment to force carbon dioxide into the liquid. The solution is to add some yeast to the solution that at warm temperature will ferment and produce carbon dioxide.

 

What you need to do is combine all your ingredients well, and once you get the desired amount of liquid pour it into a sturdy bottle that can accommodate and handle the gas. Add in yeast and let it ferment for two days under room temperature. After that, place it in the fridge to avoid the liquid fermenting further and creating a beer of sorts.

 

Yes, homemade beer is made in the same but do not worry but the alcohol content in the soda because of your children. The refrigeration impedes further fermentation keeping alcohol levels to less than 1%, which has negligible effect on yourself and your children.

 

 

 

 

What you need to get started

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Get a few sturdy bottles and it is safer to use strong plastic instead of glass. Plastic can withstand the gas pressure, and in the event, you underestimate the gas production, plastic will burst open unlike glass that will shatter and cause possible harm. Keep away from glass until you get the hang of the brewing process. Always keep tabs on date and time of brewing for accuracy and avoid over fermentation.

 

Preferably, taking bottles equivalent to a serving size to make it easy for someone to pick one form the fridge and drown it down. It also prevents children from taking too much once they know they can only take one bottle.

 

Sanitize the bottles before use and never use those from the recycling outlet to avoid the presence of bacteria. Place the bottles as you prepare the ingredients in water with a little chlorine for about 20 minutes then rinse thoroughly afterwards.

 

Get a bottlebrush to clean your bottles after use under replace bottle caps often as the pressure makes them wear out easily.

 

 

 

Benefits of making soda at home

  • Homemade soda is healthier that that bought in the store. Depending on the ingredients you place in your soda, you enjoy the nutrients from the ginger or the licorice root. The yeast added for the carbonation process contains complex vitamin B.
  • Importantly, if you want to enjoy a soda but are wary of the high sugar content in commercial soda you can control the sugar in yours. No more worries about sugar content in your blood stream or decaying teeth in your children. Home soda contains less sugar by a third to that in the stores.
  • Homemade soda is cheaper to make then going to the store and buying some. You can take one day of the weekend and make some for the whole week then refrigerate.
  • Picking soda of a shelf does not count as quality family time unlike spending several minutes in the kitchen with your children as they aid with the process. It makes perfect time to throw a few life skills their way.

 

 

Author Bio:

The author of this post Emily used to work for a well-known soda manufacturing company. She is of the opinion that installing soft drink machines at home is a good idea as it lets you have your favourite soft drink in the comfort of your home.