Posted By Monica Anderson on August 25, 2010

The term organic farming was coined by Lord Northbourne, in his book, Look to the Land (written in 1939, published 1940), from his conception of “the farm as organism”, he described a holistic, ecologically-balanced approach to farming.  Organic agriculture is the oldest form of agriculture on earth. Farming without the use of petroleum-based chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) was the sole option for farmers until post-World War II.

Organic farmers rely on biological, cultural and physical methods to limit pest expansion and increase populations of beneficial insects on their farm. Because genetically modified organisms constitute synthetic inputs and pose unknown risks, GMOs, such as herbicide-resistant seeds, plants, and product ingredients, like GM-lecithin, are not allowed in organic agriculture. Organic farmers utilize crop rotations, cover crops,  and natural-based products to maintain or enhance soil fertility.  Science proves that healthy soil grows healthy food and healthy food nourishes healthy people. Evidence supports organic farming increases the density of nutrients, specifically antioxidants, in foods. The organic movement has grown largely fueled by people’s desire to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Check out The King’s Cupboard Organic product line;

• Organic Hot Fudge – continuing  our tradition of using only pure and simple ingredients (no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors) we developed a smooth and silky Organic Hot Fudge Sauce. Fine organic chocolate and cocoa are blended with organic sugar, sweet butter and fresh cream to produce a rich and complex flavor beyond compare.

• Organic Cream Caramel Sauce - made with pure and simple organic ingredients like fresh cream, sweet butter and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, our Organic Cream Caramel Sauce is creamy and smooth with a classic caramel flavor.  

• Organic Double Chocolate Brownie Mix - everyone loves extra-chocolaty brownies! Our organic brownie mix delivers with a rich, moist, dense gourmet brownie unparalleled in taste. Generous chunks of premium organic chocolate explode with flavor in every bite. You won’t be able to resist these gooey delights!

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Posted By Monica Anderson on July 29, 2010

Among the many legends available to read on the origin of coffee, this one is my favorite.  It has a certain amount of romance about it.

A goat-herder by the name of Kaldi observed that his goats eating berries from a bush were becoming unusually excited and full of vivacity. Kaldi decided he would try the berries himself, and he experienced the same energy and vitality as his flock did.  His excitement prompted him to bring samples of the berries to a Muslim holy man in a nearby monastery.  The holy man disapproved of the effects of the berry and threw them into a fire.  Suddenly a rich aromatic aroma billowed from the smoke.  The roasted beans were quickly raked from the embers, ground up, and dissolved in hot water yielding the world’s first cup of coffee.

There is a lot of folk lure involved with the history of the simple coffee bean. Mostly legend, and full of romance, no matter what, you cannot deny the rich bouquet and tantalizing flavor of this mysterious beverage.

The King’s Cupboard uses a hint of Espresso flavor in their Triple Chocolate Layer Cake mix to enhance the flavor of the added premium cocoa. A sure hit at any social gathering. King’s Cupboard Espresso Chocolate Sauce uses the highest quality dark chocolate perfectly balanced with the intense nature of espresso. The result? An ultra-smooth Espresso Chocolate Sauce with abundant cacao flavor. We also feature one of our newest additions, Coffee Caramel Sauce, with the addition of espresso adding a layer of flavor and complexity to this truly “caramelized” dessert sauce that uses no artificial colors or additives.  And if that just isn’t enough coffee for you, try our Mocha Chocolate Chunk Hot Chocolate. Infused with espresso, this hot chocolate treat is full-bodied and smooth with a scrumptious creamy froth.  And to add more fun to this delicious brew, there are great big chocolate chunks in every hot chocolate mix that melt when heated with milk, to create an irresistibly smooth hot chocolate, leaving a melted chocolate delight at the bottom of every cup.  Perfect for those chocolate cravings we sometimes get.

Visit our website today www.kingscupboard.com to order up your perfect coffee craving.  Bon appétit!

COFFEE TIDBITS

• The legend of “cowboy coffee.” It was said cowboys made their coffee by putting ground coffee into a clean sock and immerse it in water heated over campfire. When ready, they would pour the coffee into tin cups and drink it.

• The Italians drink their espresso with sugar, the Germans and Swiss – with equal parts of hot chocolate, the Mexicans – with cinnamon, the Belgians – with chocolate. Moroccans drink their coffee with peppercorns, the Ethiopians – with a pinch of salt. Coffee drinkers in the Middle East usually add cardamom and spices. Whipped cream is the favorite among Austrians.

• The heavy tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773, which caused the “Boston Tea Party,” resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. Drinking coffee was an expression of freedom.

• In the last three centuries, 90% of all people living in the Western world have switched from tea to coffee

• Coffee represents 75% of all the caffeine consumed in the United States.

Category: General | 11 Comments »
Tags: caramel, chocolate, coffee, espresso, sauce

Posted By Monica Anderson on July 7, 2010

The Star of the show, the simple cake . . .

The tradition of placing candles on a Birthday cake is attributed to the early Greeks, who placed lit candles on cakes to make them glow like the moon. Greeks used to take the cake to the temple of Artemis-the Goddess of the Moon. Some scholars argue that candles were placed on the cake because people believe that the smoke of the candle carried their wishes and prayers to Gods who lived in the skies. Others believe that the custom originated in Germany where people used to place a large candle in the center of the cake to symbolize ‘the light of life’.

In medieval times people of England used to place symbolic objects like coins, rings and thimbles in the batter of the cake. It was believed that those who found the coin in the cake would be wealthy while the unlucky finder of the thimble would never marry.  A wedding was signified for the person who found the slice of cake with ring. Even today some people follow the tradition and place small figures, fake coins and small candies inside the cake.

Why are cakes traditionally round in shape?  It depends upon period, culture and cuisine. Generally, the round cakes we know today descended from ancient bread. Ancient breads and cakes were made by hand. They were typically fashioned into round balls and baked on hearthstones or in low, shallow pans. These products naturally relaxed into rounded shapes. By the 17th century, cake hoops (fashioned from metal or wood) were placed on flat pans, and batter was poured into the hoop. As time progressed, baking pans in various shapes and sizes became readily available to the general public. Molded and fancier cakes reached their apex in Victorian times.

The King's Cupboard White Chocolate Hazelnut Cake Mix

No matter what the occasion is; birthday or other celebration keep a few boxes of The King’s Cupboard cake mixes in your pantry.  Crafted with the perfect blend of premium cocoa, chocolate and a hint of espresso, our Triple Chocolate Layer Cake is sophisticated, rich and delicious – so moist and tender, it literally melts in your mouth.  Our White Chocolate Hazelnut Cake Mix is a delicate mix of premium white chocolate, natural hazelnut essence and Madagascar Bourbon vanilla bean yielding a rustic, buttery Bundt® style cake.  No preservatives, all natural, made only with the finest, quality ingredients.

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Posted By Monica Anderson on June 18, 2010

Summer is here in most of the country, Montana is still yet to catch up! The mercury hasn’t made it past 70º F. and we still have pretty cold evenings down in the 40’s, at least in this part of the state.  Still a great excuse for some delicious King’s Cupboard Chocolate Chunk Hot Chocolate, and I have five great flavors to choose from!

• Dark Chocolate Chunk

• Mocha Chocolate Chunk

• Mint Chocolate Chunk

• Three Chilies Chocolate Chunk

• Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Chunk

These cool days make me yearn for the hot, sultry summers I remembered back East. What I miss most is the smell of salt air and the feel of sand under my feet as my family vacationed south to the Virginia coastline, or east to the Jersey shore. Seafood was always in great supply as well as Jersey Tomatoes – you could find a “Jersey Tomato Stand” on every corner, selling those huge, red, sweet, juicy tomatoes.

We started our vacation with a big meal, beginning with steamed muscles and/or clams with melted butter, and then my mom would always make her crab claw spaghetti sauce and serve it over linguini. Italian bread and a big salad were part of this summer gathering. Dinner would finish with dessert, usually brownies  and ice cream. The rest of the week we served up traditional summer fare; hamburgers, hotdogs, fried oysters, and fresh fish with lots of corn on the cob and baked potatoes, watermelon, and more ice cream.

When I go back east this August to visit with my children, I’ll be in charge of our traditional summer dinners, and this time I’ll be bringing lots of King’s Cupboard dessert sauce for the ice cream and a King’s Cupboard Organic Brownie Mix. What a memory! Make your own memories this summer, and share them with us.

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Posted By Monica Anderson on June 4, 2010

Father’s day is on June 20^th, this year.  The story of Father’s day begins with Sonora Dodd, of Washington.  Sonora wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran. William was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington State.

After listening to a Mother’s Day sermon, Sonora decided she wanted to begin a special day for fathers. Realizing the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent, she decided to hold the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on June 19, 1910 – her father’s birthday.

President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father’s Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law which finally made it permanent in 1972.

Gifts for Dad

• We think making dad dinner and dessert top the list!  How about an old fashioned barbecue or clam bake? Top dinner off with a King’s Cupboard Triple Chocolate Layer Cake frosted with King’s Cupboard Triple Chocolate Icing.  Decadently rich and chocolaty, both the cake and frosting are made with just a hint of espresso – we are sue it will be one of dad’s favorite desserts!  Hey make it in the shape of a necktie!  Why you ask? . . .

• Neckties head the list of gifts.  Purchase dad a stellar necktie at one of the 9,189 men’s clothing stores around the country.

• Tools, another awesome gift for dad, you can purchase a tool for his toolbox at one of the nation’s 14,864 hardware stores or 5,795 home centers around the country.

• Or – Ask a grownup to scan photos of you and your Dad doing things together and print them out. Paste them to a poster board. Use felt tip markers or crayons to write out the headline: “Why I love Dad.” If you don’t have any pictures or a scanner, you can draw some.

• Is dad a sports nut? How about fishing rods, or golf clubs? There are over 22,410 sporting good stores in America.

• Or – Make Dad a special Father’s Day baseball cap. Use felt tip markers to write or draw on the hat. Good suggestions: “My Dad is # 1″ or “World’s Best Dad!”

• Even a big ole’ hug and kiss on Father’s day morning will warm dad’s heart all day long!

Happy Father’s Day all you dad’s and Mr. Mom’s.

Category: General | 24 Comments »
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Posted By Monica Anderson on May 19, 2010

THE KING’S CUPBOARD A FINALIST IN THE 2010 SOFI AWARDS

Red Lodge, Montana (April, 2010) – The King’s Cupboard, leading producer of all natural gourmet dessert products, has received word from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade that two of its products have been selected as Finalists in their categories in the initial round of judging for the 2010 NASFT “SOFI” Product Awards Competition.

• The King’s Cupboard Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce has been chosen as a Finalist in the Outstanding  Classic category

• The King’s Cupboard Three Chilies Chocolate Chunk Hot Chocolate Mix has been chosen as a finalist in the Outstanding Hot Beverage category

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by the NASFT judges”, says company president Lila Randolph-Poore. “They have confirmed what we’ve been hearing from our loyal customers – that our team is truly committed to making great products”.

The King’s Cupboard has previously won eleven NASFT product awards and an “Addy” award for packaging, in addition to many regional awards.

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Posted By Monica Anderson on May 17, 2010

I would like to thank the hundreds of blog readers for your positive input and comments regarding The King’s Cupboard blog. And I would like to thank each and every one of you for your commentary, suggestions and for taking the time to read our blog.
To answer some frequently asked questions:
• No, I am not a “professional writer,” or a journalist. I am someone who just loves to write and do this as part of my full-time job as LTL/Logistics Coordinator with The King’s Cupboard.
• Is permissible to link back to our page from your own web page? If your web content is food related we would have no problem with this.
• Can you take King’s Cupboard blog material and use it for your own blog? Yes, if you give credit to The King’s Cupboard, or where I have given “credit” to a writer, you extend the same courtesy.
• We will be happy to post your blog links to our blog page, provided your blog is again, food related and is approved by The King’s Cupboard management team.
• All comments posted to our blog page are individually reviewed before being allowed to be posted. If your comment is questionable, not obviously related to our blog site, or spam, it will not be posted.
• Our blog page was created with WordPress, I edited the template to fit with the style and color of our King’s Cupboard web page.
• To access the RSS feed, please use the RSS feed button at the top of our blog page.
• Our blog announcements are submitted to Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Delicious, Google Buzz, Google Bookmarks, Yahoo Buzz, Stumbled Upon, and Read it Later.

If you have suggestions for blogs you would like to see featured on our blog page, please leave a comment. Again, thank you for your support and interest. Have a great summer!

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Posted By Monica Anderson on May 7, 2010

The History of APRONS – - Courtesy of “Now Designs”

I don’t think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma’s apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, while bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that ‘old-time apron’ that served so many purposes.

Why not bake up a dynamite chocolate cake for dessert this weekend, The King’s Cupboard Triple Chocolate Layer Cake Mix is as close to “homemade” as you can possibly get.  No additives, animal fats or preservatives in any of our award winning products.  Deep, dark chocolate cake with a hint of espresso will satisfy the meanest chocolate craving.

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Posted By Monica Anderson on April 29, 2010

Looking for the perfect dessert to serve for Mother’s Day?  Fall in love with The King’s Cupboard Rich and Dreamy Molten Chocolate Cake.  As seen on The Food TV Network, intensely delicious and simple to prepare, our moltens feature warm melted chocolate centers surrounded by velvety cake. Great with a scoop of ice cream!

How did Mother’s Day begin?  A gal by the name of Anna Jarvis influenced by her mother’s work to establish a day of remembrance to Mothers living and dead;  and the work of Julia Ward Howe, the writer of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and a prominent figure in several suffrage organizations, started her own crusade to found a memorial day for women.

Devastated at the death of her mother, Anna Jarvis gave up her teaching job to work full-time writing letters to politicians, clergy members, business leaders, womens clubs and anyone else she thought might have some influence.  Finally, in 1907 West Virginia became the first state to adopt an official Mother’s Day in the church where the elder Anna Jarvis had taught Sunday school. Finally, in 1912 the holiday was declared official by the States.  In 1914 President, Woodrow Wilson, declared the first national Mother’s Day.  This strong, brave woman had nearly all 45 States observing Mother’s Day within three years.

Some Mother’s Day Trivia:

• Japan’s Imperial family traces their ancestry to Omikami Amaterasu, the Mother of the World.

• Ancient Egyptians believed that ‘Bast’ was the mother of all cats on Earth, and that cats were sacred animals.

• It is a tradition in China that family names often begin with a sign that means “mother”. It is a nice way of honoring their moms long past.

• In the Bible, Eve is credited with being the ‘”Mother of All the Living.”

• In the vast majority of the world’s languages, the word for “mother” begins with the letter M.

• People in ancient Greece paid tribute to Rhea, the mother of the gods, with honey cakes, fine drinks, and flowers at dawn. This was the earliest Mother’s Day celebration.

• In Britain, during the Middle Ages, it was customary for the wealthy to give servants the day off on Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent) so they could visit their mothers, who often lived far away.

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Posted By Monica Anderson on April 21, 2010

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The King’s Cupboard will be featured on www.jasmere.com, Friday, April 23, 2010 at 12:00 pm (EST).

Save up to 70% off of The King’s Cupboard 3 Jar Dessert Sauce Gift Set.  We will be featured in the “Bonus Section” of the Jasmere website.

This offer is only good on the date mentioned above and the Jasmere website.

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