| How to Choose Brandy Posted: 20 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Brandy is among the luxury line of alcoholic beverages. At its best, it can add elegance and sophistication in a variety of grand social occasions, like weddings, or even a simple weekend party or cozy night-in. EditLearning the Basics - Think about the occasion you're buying brandy for. Are you buying brandy for a wedding or holiday party, or for a casual night in? For yourself or as a gift for a friend? Decide if you want something plain and inexpensive, like plain brandy to chug, or if you're looking to invest in a finer, more expensive brandy that you can sip on like champagne. This will help you to set your sights on a brandy that'll meet your needs and tastes.
- Learn the different types of brandy. Pay a visit to your grocery store, or liquor mart. If you prefer to buy online, visit a wine distillery site, or a cocktail website and do a search for "brandy". Read the labels and descriptions for each bottle of brandy. This will give you an indication of whether it is where it came from, and how it's been distilled. Note that the longer a brandy is aged, the more valuable and finer tasting it will be.
- Understand that the brandy you purchase will either be fruit brandy, pomace brandy or grape brandy. [1] Fruit brandy is most often used as a digestif or for cooking. It is the cheapest, most common type of brandy, and is distilled from fruit wine, and any fruit with the exception of grapes. [2] This type of brandy will be colorless, un-aged and light on taste. [3]
- Pomace brandy is also un-aged, and is usually harsher tasting than aged brandies.
- Recognize how fine brandy is rated. Look out for special characters or fine print in the label or description for each type of brandy. Recognize that the finest of brandies, Cognac and Armagnac, for example, will be branded in a particular style category. [4] This includes: VS (very special); also known as 3-star, VSOP (very special old pale), and XO (extra old).
- VS Cognac is aged at least two years, VSOP Cognac is aged for at least four years, and XO Cognac is aged for at least 20 years. XO is considered the most high-end of Cognac, or brandy.
- Understand that Armagnac is classified slightly differently from Cognac, in that VSOP Armagnac is aged for a minimum of five years. Armagnac that is considered Hors D' Age is aged for a minimum of 10 years. [5]
- Familiarize yourself with terminology. Look for special words on the bottle that tell you where the brandy was distilled and how long it was aged. For example, Marc is French for pomace brandy. A term like Grappa lets you know it was made in Italy or California. Recognize that a term like eau-de-vie is French for colorless, and often times, tasteless.
- If you're having trouble with figuring out the meaning, ask for clarification from a store clerk or someone else who's knowledgeable about the product.
EditExperimenting With Taste - Request to sample different types of brandy. Find a wine distillery or beer pub near you and sign up for a spirits tour or tasting. Or, enroll in a wine tasting class. Ask if you can try aged and mature brandy spirits, such as whiskey premium brandies. [6]See what you can observe by examining the color and consistency.
- Purchase a brandy cocktail from a bar when you're at a restaurant or out with family or friends. Ask your server for a brandy cocktail classic, such as the Sidecar, Pisco Sour or Jack Rose, [7] if you're in the mood for late-night drinking, and are looking for something less expensive than aged brandy.
- Use your sense of smell. Choose a few different types of brandy to sample in a small glass, or in a brandy snifter. Begin with your nose far away from a glass, at recommended chest height. Then, bring it up to your chin. And then lastly, to your nose and mouth. This will allow you to sniff out pepper, cinnamon and other fruit aromas in the brandy. [8] Give your nose time to adjust to the smell of alcohol in the brandy.
- The smell of brandy can be overpowering if you're smelling it for the first time. Keep in mind though, good brandy will have a strong, flavorful aroma.
- Master the art of sipping. Using a brandy snifter or other kind of brandy glass, swirl the brandy at eye level to get a sense of its contents. Be sure to take at least two slow sips to give your tastebuds a sense of like or dislike. Taste each multiple times to give yourself time to adjust your taste palette. If you find the taste is too strong, consider cutting it down with vodka.
- Go blind with brandy tasting by pouring out several types of brandy in several different glasses. Mark the bottom of each glass, and then mix them up so you don't know which kind is which. [9]
- Keep tasting until you find something you like. Don't give up on drinking brandy altogether if you don't enjoy the taste the first few times you've tried it. Continue to sample different types of brandies until you find a few that tickle your fancy. This can lead to interesting discoveries and revelations.
- Try drinking the brandy unadulterated, without ice or water. Pomace brandies, like grappa or Marc may call for an acquired taste, and at the same time taste fruitier to you, due to its lack of age. You may find your taste leans toward cognac. At the end of the day, it's all a matter of personal preference.
EditMaking Final Selections - Explore popular brands. Do an online search for the most popular types of brandies enjoyed in your area, or ask a store associate for insight. Opt for a high-end like French Cognac, Armagnac and Calvados if you're searching for a crisper, finer taste. If you prefer something fruitier or cocktail friendly, look into purchasing Greek Metaxa and South American Pixo brandy. [10] Opt for Brandy de Jerez, Apple Jack or Apple Brandy, Pisco and Eaux-De-Vie if going for a more aromatic taste. [11]
- Determine what foods you'll pair it with. Certain brandies, like Apple and Calvados, go especially well with cheese and white-chocolate. [12]
- Determine your spend. Look up the cost of different types of brandy online. Select a few brands you're interested in and create a budget. Factor in the expenses of brandy that's been aged for long. Brandy aged for a year or so can cost $20 a bottle. Cognac and other high-end brandy can be a bit pricy, and run you as much as $60 a bottle.
- If Cognac has been aged for 20 years or more, it can get as expensive as $150 a bottle. Cognac that's been aged for 100 years can run as much as $10,000 dollars per bottle. [13]
- Ask for suggestions. Ask your friends and family for suggestions on what brandy you should purchase. Visit distillery and wine sites online and read over their recommendations for the best type of brandy for first-time buyers. Log into a site like Yahoo Answers or Ask.com and ask for suggestions. There will be many opinions, but you'll ultimately have to decide what you're willing to try, as well as what works best for your desires and budget.
- The longer they are aged; the more expensive they will get, so remember: you can always order a single snifter at a restaurant or bar. It may be more pricey than you might like, but much cheaper than buying a bottle that you end up not liking.
- Brandy that is aged for a hundred years or more is considered vintage brandy. This includes prestigious brands like Hennessy Louis XIII or Hardy Noces D'Or.
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| How to Be a Good Neighbour Posted: 20 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT Getting along well with your neighbors makes your community a happier and safer place to live. The key to being a good neighbor is clear and consistent communication. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and then stay in contact over time. Try to be courteous by keeping your noise levels low and your yard well-maintained. If you want to go above and beyond, you could even participate in a neighborhood association or watch. EditGetting to Know Your Neighbor EditBeing Respectful and Considerate - Maintain and clean any shared spaces. If you live in a duplex, townhome, or apartment, you might end up sharing responsibility for a hallway, entrance, or yard with your neighbors. Do your part to keep these spaces as nice as possible by removing or carefully storing your personal items, such as bikes or grills. Pick up any trash that you see, too.[1]
- For example, to maintain a lawn space, talk with your neighbor about rotating mowing duties each week.
- Care for your own yard and garden. To avoid unsightly overgrown grass, stick to a lawn maintenance schedule that includes regular mows throughout the year. In the fall, make sure to collect and dispose of your leaves. Trim back any trees or bushes and clean up any flowerbeds.[2]
- If you can't do this maintenance on your own, consider hiring a professional lawn service.
- Put your trash out at the right time and day. To keep your neighbors happy and your home clean, take out your trash according to the local schedule. Also, use the correct trash containers and follow any restrictions regarding chemicals or oversized items. If trash day passes and you notice that a particular item has not been picked up, call waste services for your area to ask why it was left behind.
- Most waste companies have very particular policies regarding what types of trash they will pick up and how it must be set out. For example, it may not be enough to simply place large branches by the curb of your house. You might need to cut and tie them into bundles.
- Following the local trash rules also helps to cut down on the presence of pests and vermin, such as mice.
- Keep your pets quiet and under control. Closely follow all of your local laws regarding pet ownership. Have your animals fully vaccinated, licensed, and on a leash when in your front yard or neighborhood. If you have dogs, enroll them in training courses to curb outside barking and noisiness. If they persist in barking, then bring them inside.[3]
- Let your neighbors know that they can come talk with you if your pets are ever bothering them. For example, you might say, "If you ever hear my dog barking too much in the evenings, just let me know."
- If you are walking in your neighborhood, practice common courtesy by picking up your pet's poop, too.
- Follow your area's noise regulations. Go to your city's webpage and look up the rules regarding noise. You'll find that certain noises, such as loud home repairs, are restricted to particular hours of the day. Keep this in mind as you go about your daily life and try to avoid being disruptive, especially during early morning or evening hours.[4]
- If you live in an apartment complex, the leasing company will usually provide you with a list of community rules, which usually includes a statement about noise.
- Go ahead and lower your noise level if you even think that you are being loud.
- Use what you know about your neighbors to determine what is appropriate, too. For example, if you know that the person next door works nights, then take that into account and adjust your noise levels accordingly.
EditGetting to Know Your Neighbors - Introduce yourself. If you've recently moved in, go over to your neighbors and say "hello." If you've lived in an area for a while, then take the initiative and reach out to new arrivals yourself. As part of welcoming someone to the area, feel free to offer them a small moving in gift.[5]
- For a more informal approach, say hi to your neighbors when they (or you) are outside walking their dog or working on their lawn.
- When you first meet your neighbor you might say, "Hi! I'm Fred Thompson. I live 2 doors down from you and just wanted to come over and welcome you to the neighborhood."
- You can also give you neighbor any friendly local tips, such as what time the garbage or mailman stops by.
- A welcoming gift can be anything from a friendly card to a basket filled with local foods or produce.
- Do your neighbors a favor when possible. If you see your neighbor struggling with a package, offer to help them. If you notice that they do not have a mower, offer to let them use yours for a bit. If you are helpful to your neighbors, don't feel ashamed when you need to reach out for assistance as well.[6]
- For example, if your neighbor is going out of town, they might ask you to watch over their home. Then, when you take a trip, you can ask them to return the favor.
- Attend and host neighborhood events and associations. Invite a few of your neighbors over for a nice dinner or barbeque. Find out if your home makes you eligible to participate in a local community organization or watch group. If not, talk to your neighbors and create your own. These are great ways to get to know your neighbors whether you've been in the area for days or years.[7]
- For example, a community association could work together to put on a local street festival or even small dinners.
EditCommunicating Openly with Your Neighbors - Stay calm when talking with your neighbor. If your neighbor comes to you with a concern or problem, it's important to respond calmly and rationally. If you start to get frustrated, take a few deep breaths before answering. You can also ask to postpone the conversation until you have a bit of time to think.[8]
- For example, to give yourself a few days to think everything over, you might say, "I understand where you are coming from, but I need to consider how to fix it on my end. Can we talk about this over the weekend again?"
- Deal with any problems face to face. If you have any issue that involves your neighbor, it's important to act fast. Go to them directly and tell them what is going on. Ask for their help in finding a solution that will work for both of you. Giving your neighbor a chance to come up with a solution is better than immediately reaching out to local authorities.[9]
- This doesn't necessarily apply if you feel as if the safety of you, your family, or the neighborhood is at stake. In those situations, you might want to reach out to local officials for assistance.
- Avoid gossiping about any issues with your neighbor to other neighbors or people in the community. This only creates additional problems.
- Give your neighbors notice before parties. If you plan on having a large group of people come over, it never hurts to give your neighbors a heads up. This lets them determine if they'll need to park elsewhere or move their cars for the night. It also alerts them that lots of 'new' people will be in the neighborhood and that it might get loud.[10]
- The same goes for any other large, loud gatherings, such as ongoing construction.
- After a special event, such as the birth of a baby, it never hurts to give your neighbors a small, thoughtful gift.[11]
- Mind your own business about personal matters. Do not gossip.
- No matter how much you try to establish a friendship with certain neighbors, it might not always happen. In these scenarios, try not to take it personally and instead focus on living next to one another peacefully.
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| How to Clean a Plastic Bottle Posted: 20 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT If you've made the switch to a reusable plastic bottle for drinking, congratulate yourself for taking a step toward saving the environment from overflowing landfills! Now you're wondering the best ways to keep your plastic bottle clean and free of bacteria. You can clean your bottle with regular dish soap and warm water, load it into the dishwasher, or sanitize it with vinegar. You should just be sure to clean it every day for the best results in keeping it germ-free and ready to use. EditUsing Dish Soap and Water - Add a few drops of dish soap and water to your bottle then put the cap back on. Any hand dish liquid is fine to use for washing a plastic bottle. After you add some dish soap, fill your bottle halfway with warm water. Put the cap back on.[1]
- Shake the dish soap and water around in your bottle then dump. For the fastest clean, you can just shake the soapy water around in your bottle with the cap on for one minute. Then dump the soapy water out and rinse your bottle.
- If you use the bottle for any drinks other than water, you should scrub the top and inside with a soapy sponge or bottle brush.[2]
- Scrub the top by hand with a soapy sponge or brush. To get the top part where you drink out of clean, use a soapy dish sponge to scrub it. For bottles with pull-up tops or flip-straw tops, use a small bottle brush to get into the little crevices of the opening.[3]
- Use a bottle brush to reach deep inside the bottle. Use a soapy bottle brush to scrub the inside of the bottle and remove germs from within. Do this every day if you use your bottle for drinks other than water.[4]
- Leave your bottle open to air dry. It is recommended to wash your bottle in the evening so you can leave it out overnight to air dry. If you can't do this, dry your bottle completely with a clean towel before using.[5]
EditCleaning in the Dishwasher - Check your bottle for a dishwasher-safe symbol. Most products today are safe in the dishwasher but check your bottle just to be sure. Take the top parts off of the bottle and be sure those go into the dishwasher too.[6]
- Load your bottle into the top rack of your dishwasher. Plastic items should go into the top rack of a dishwasher. Many dishwashers have a heating element in the bottom for the dryer setting that can warp or melt plastic if it is put in the bottom rack.[7]
- Add detergent and run your dishwasher on a regular setting. Run your dishwasher with the plastic bottle inside (in the top rack) just like you would regularly run a load of dishes. Leave the dryer setting on so that the bottle gets dry, or take the bottle out right after the load is done and allow it to air dry.[8]
EditSanitizing with Vinegar - Fill your bottle 1/5 of the way with white vinegar. To get your bottle extra clean, sanitize it with vinegar. White vinegar is a great cleaning product and can be easily found at any grocery store. After filling your bottle 1/5 of the way with vinegar, fill it the rest of the way with warm water.[9]
- Allow the vinegar and water mixture to sit overnight in your bottle. In the morning, rinse your bottle thoroughly with hot water and wipe it dry with a clean towel. Your bottle is sanitized and ready to use![10]
- Add baking soda or bleach for extra precaution. If your bottle has been in an extra dirty environment, or it has been shared by many people (like kids in a daycare), you may want to add baking soda to your vinegar and water mixture. Just add one teaspoon of baking soda to the mixture when completing the steps above.
- Alternatively, you can use one teaspoon of bleach with one teaspoon of baking soda, instead of using vinegar, in the water mixture.[11]
- Rinse your bottle extra well before using it if you use any bleach to sanitize it.[12]
- Do not clean and reuse a disposable plastic bottle that you get at a convenience store or vending machine. These are not meant to be used more than once, and repeated washings of them causes a breakdown in the plastic, posing a health risk to users.
- Make sure to use cold or warm water. Don't use boiling hot water. It could melt the plastic.
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