City Organics Organic Food Monthly Newsletters

City Organics December 2006 Newsletter

Greetings,

Well almost at the end of another year... And so that it does not also mean the end of your bread supply during our organic bakeries holiday closure, we would like to remind all of our customers to contact us to place your bread order requirements for the period.

A sad goodbye to Alison who will be happily having her Baby in the New Year.

Bread Orders for the Holiday Season.

City Organics Holiday Opening

We will be closed Public Holidays Open normal hours the other days

News from City Organics

Contents


For Christmas, we are offering gift vouchers for that hard-to-buy-for person, or just that very special person in your life!  Also a range of ready-made gift hampers filled with organic goodies, including some for our gluten-free friends. It's All Good gluten-free bakery have also cooked up some treats especially for Christmas, both savoury and sweet, and we'll be stocking these right up until Christmas.

Just in, Greenpet natural health products and care for your pets - we now stock a huge range of formulae, supplements, shampoos, sprays, food, collars and information about the best in natural care for that special pet in your life -  for dogs, cats and horses.

Nancy Evans' Certified Organic skincare and cosmetics, absolutely beautiful products - lipsticks and skin care.  

Lovely Produce in at Present

We have some more seasonal yummies - SUPER shiny dark eggplants, large and firm. Tanya, one of our new staff members, had just one (they are large) in a curry last night and was wowed by the full flavour and soft texture - absolutely "DELICIOUS" was her verdict.  They look superb.

And also in, green, very crisp and very full Cos lettuces - perfect for summer salads!  Complements our range of other organic greens from Yorktown, and the iceberg lettuces, which have been popular.

Strawberries SUPER tasty, sumptuous and absolutely full of flavour, as they are supposed to taste.  As good as home grown, but certified organic, bonus!

Long green, green beans, absolutely crisp and delicious, perfect as they are, in stir fries, salads or cooked as a yummy vege dish.

And of course the stone fruit range continues to grow - I've been amazed at the quality and flavour so early in the season, it's really hard to believe it can only get better as the season ripens. Plums, apricots, nectarines (absolutely YUM), peaches, and we have more cherries on the way......

Cherry Tomatoes.

Try the Champagne Sweet Potatoes they are delicious.

Also have Apricot Kernels in stock now

Eenee Design now have a feminine pad which is flushable/compostable.

We have a range of Gluten Free pies small and Family, Sweet and Savoury in the shop now very popular and tasty.

Green Pages Lifestyle         Green Pages Business
We have the Green Pages - directory of enviromentaly aware businesses - for sale in store http://www.greenpagesaustralia.com.au

Tints of nature - 

Tints of Nature is the first long lasting  permanent hair colour to use an advanced  formula containing natural ingredients to  cover all grey hair. Our unique blend of  natural extracts, including Aloe Vera,  Comfrey, Orange, Grapefruit and   Vitamins  E & C, combined with plant-derived  conditioners, will actually enhance, protect  and moisturise as you colour.

Tints of Nature is a highly effective hair colourant, created from many certified organic ingredients. The products, in adherence with our principles have to be as natural and gentle as possible, containing ingredients of the highest possible quality.

The 24 colours available can be mixed to create additional shades, with colouring and highlighting options.

Onya bags as well as their old favourite Onya shopping bag also has a backpack - 'Onya Back' that stuffs into a stuffsack plus a stuffing over shoulder bag - 'Onya Side'.  Great gifts.

Bit of info on our Cocoa nibs.

High antioxidants.

Raw Forastero beans have amazingly high levels of antioxidants - substantially more per serve than either red wine or green tea [1]. It is the antioxidants which produce Forastero beans' characteristic dark purple-brown colour, and their tendency towards bitterness and astringency.

Less need for harmful pesticides.

The antioxidant chemicals found in cocoa beans are produced by the tree (Theobroma cacao) to protect itself against the harmful effects of insect attack and fungal infections. Generally speaking, trees that have higher natural resistance to pests and diseases require less treatment with chemical insecticides and fungicides. Hence, it is more feasible to grow Forastero trees organically th an Criollo trees.

A true chocolate flavour, with a long finish.

Forastero beans - when roasted - produce a true chocolate flavour, with a length of finish that Criollo beans simply can't match. Why? It's tannins that produce long-lasting flavours in both wine, and chocolate.

To Roast, or Not to Roast?

The main reason to roast cocoa beans is to develop the classic chocolate flavour, which is produced as a result of Maillard or "browning" reactions. Maillard reactions occur within many foods when heat is applied. The reactions take place between amino acids and sugars, and result in the production of flavour molecules. It has been established that cocoa beans contains about 500 different aromatic compounds that contribute to the unique flavour of chocolate.

Perhaps the only reason not to roast is to preserve as many antioxidants as possible in the cocoa nibs.

Roasting Hints and Tips

The main goal with roasting cocoa nibs is to produce a result that tastes good to you! There is no magic formula, and no su ch thing as a "perfect" result. (Afterall, what is "perfect" will depend entirely on the taste of each individual).

The easiest way to roast a small quantity of nibs is in the microwave. For your first trial, place one or two dessert spoons' worth of nibs in a single layer on a plate. Microwave on medium for a few minutes, stopping for a taste-test every 30 seconds or so. The "roast" is finished whenever you're pleased with the result - but you know you're on the right track if your kitchen starts to smell like chocolate cake!

If you prefer to use a conventional oven, try roasting the nibs for about 15 minutes. Roast for 5 minutes at 150ºC, then reduce the temperature to 120ºC for a further 10 minutes or so.

Remember - your nose and your taste buds are the best guide.

Cocoa Nibs

We would like to thank you for your ongoing interest and support and we all look forward to serving you in 2007 and bringing you more best-quality organic and natural products for the wellbeing of you, your family and the earth. We all wish you and your families a sane and joyful Xmas & New year.

  The City Organics Team

    Dec