Kopi Luwak

Civet Coffee from Bali

My colleague recently bought a packet of Kopi Luwak from Bali. "It is expensive, about RM 40 for 2 servings. Disappointingly, it is not aromatic and tastes bland". I looked at her and ask "Could it be that you guys are not brewing it right?" "No, we brewed it using a proper coffee brewing machine" defended my friend.

"mmm, in that case, you may have been duped without knowing it! Supplies are limited and the fact that you can get it easily implies that the 'source' may be questionable"

"Yea, that thought did cross my mind" she agreed.

I am more of a tea person rathen than a coffee lover. I suspect that I am sensitive to caffeine and a cup of coffee does contain 3X amount of caffeine compared to a cup of tea. My lack of experience in coffee-drinking explains why i wouldn't know whether a cup of the infamous luwak coffee is supposed to taste like a cup of ordinanry coffee, better or otherwise (acquired taste).

Well, two things i've found out about the Luwak coffee are the enzymes from the digestion of the red coffee beans actually break down the protein that give coffee its bitter taste (hence, you may be surprise to know that it is not as bitter as you think it should be) and standards may differ from regions to regions depending on the type of beans these animal consume. So, the luwak coffee from Bali may taste different from a cuppa from say, Vietnam.

Perhaps those who have the 'privilege' to try the most expensive coffee in the world could share more info with me. If given a chance, would I want to try it?............maybe

Source - Wikipedia

Civets consume the red coffee cherries containing the fruit and seed. The inner bean of the berry is not digested, but a unique combination of enzymes in the stomach of the civet add to the coffee's flavour by breaking down the proteins that give coffee its bitter taste. The beans are defecated, still covered in some inner layers of the berry. The beans are washed, and given only a light roast so as to not destroy the complex flavours that develop through the process. Light roasting is considered particularly desirable in coffees that do not exhibit bitterness, and the most pronounced characteristic of Kopi Luwak is a marked reduction in bitterness.

All Kopi Luwak does not taste identical, because civet cats may dine on any variety of Arabica, Robusta (but they usually choose the ripest and sweetest beans) or other species of beans in the environment, and the bean variety greatly affects the underlying taste of the result. However, Kopi Luwak coffees share a similar aroma profile, lack of bitterness, and some flavour characteristics that gourmets of the coffee genre recognise among the many varieties.

Clean up your act, Uncle.......

I used to love hanging out at this particular Malay stall selling all sorts of local fare. The owners are good cooks and normally do catering for big shots such as the "menteri-menteri" during the Majlis berbuka puasa, Hari Raya Haji and other Muslim celebrations linked to the Government.

They started a humble stall selling Nasi lemak and 'kueh-mueh' by the roadside till opening their own restaurants (1 in Bandar Menjalara and I think another branch at Sri Hartamas). I've also been to their functions for a wedding ceremony where my husband likes to saviour their Ayam masak merak and Sayur londeh...

Hey, I have nothing against them but i think at the rate they are going now, they may need to close shop very soon. The recent visit to their joint in Menjalara was disastrous. The whole place was teeming with not customers, but cockroaches! I was disgusted to see baby roaches running hilter-skilter across a dish of fried eggs (pity those who are eating that later). Yuck!

Not only that, they also have the flying variety (those which tend to fly clumsily and always seem to be aiming for you!) all around the restaurant. The lady boss did not even show any sign of concern and blatantly placed an insect aerosol on top of the cash register! Wa lau.........

I lost my appetite there and then and vouch not to go back ever again or at least till they tidy up the place! The owner even came to us and told us his staff are busy preparing for a function at a local TV station for the upcoming event where some menteris will be coming to officiate the whole thingy.......good luck to those attending the event. As for me, i am heading straight home to 'fortify' my gut with some friendly bacteria. Boy, I am going to need a billion dose and hopefully i am spared from the runs.............

Food poisoning is on the rise and though many people treated it lightly, it can be detrimental to children, the elderly and the pregnant ladies. Visits to the doctors for food poisoning is on the rise and unless we boycott or take actions against these dirty eateries by highlighting to higher authority, i am afraid, we would just have to embrace this irresponsible act as part and parcel of life.........'sigh'

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GH12Ak01.html

Yes boss Sorry boss = die faster

According to a study conducted by the Stress Research Institute of Stockholm University, employed men who bottled up their anger for being unfairly treated at work, are 5X more likely to suffer from heart attack (and die from it).

"Thou shall not 'eat dead cat' (sek sei mau in chinese)" but instead should stand up for justice....and for the sake of your health. The researchers recommended that being confrontational may actually be better than "letting things pass without saying anything".

Mmmm...i wonder whether the same applies to women?

Common cold vs flu?

The other day one of my colleagues, A was suffering from a common cold. " No lah, this is flu. I am going to see a doctor ...scared H1N1 leh"

My other colleague, B and I were rather amused with her reaction. "You are over-reacting" i said...."Trying to 'siam' from attending meeting later right?"

B and I could see through A's intentions. B whispered into my ear "Yep, i am sure she is faking it......knowing that the meeting would be a draggy one, as always"

Many people actually mistaken a common cold for flu and vice versa. Though both are of viral origin, they are not the same (different strains of virus).

Symptoms of common colds:
1. Runny nose/stuffed nose
2. Scratchy throat/sneezing
3. No fever
4. No joint pains/body aches
5. No diarrhoea/vomiting

You do not need to see a doctor, just up your intake of immune-boosting vitamin C and drink lots of water will do. Generally mild in nature.

Symptoms of flu (short for influenza):
1. Fever
2. Coughs
3. Joint pains/aches
4. A small percentage may suffer from diarrhoea/vomiting
5. Fatigue/malaise

Best to see a doctor to help get rid of the infection and also in this case to rule out H1N1. More serious in nature as flu can kill and cause a pandemic. Influenza is a viral infection and you will not be cured by taking antibiotics. Anti-virals or vaccines may help but generally we rely alot on the body's immune system to fight the virus.

OK to go for that extra burger?

http://health.asiaone.com/Health/Eat%2BRight/Story/A1Story20091117-180427.html

According to this article, the British government recommends that adults' daily calorie intake - currently 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men - could be increased by up to 16 per cent. That's the equivalent of a cheeseburger or two packets of crisps.

Warning! Only if you exercise. You would need to jog at a moderate pace for about an hour to burn the extra burger that you've consumed. It is reported that a third of the British population are overweight. Go figure.......

A person with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 and above is considered overweight. However, I would like to stress that for Asians, the cut-off index is at 23.

Calculate your BMI here
http://www.nutriweb.org.my/bmical.php