I recently came across a blogger who loves Angostura aromatic bitters…….I wondered what were her reasons and what she used it for, so I decided to chat with her to find out more….

Incidentally, she has Trini roots, which will explain why she uses the product so much I learnt. Her mother, grandmother, grandfather and all her uncles and aunts are from Trinidad. She, however, was born in Los Angeles and currently lives in Hailey Idaho in the Sun Valley resort area. She is a Cordon Bleu Chef in pastry and baking. She owns a snack bar and a candy shop and also created the blog called “Inspired Home Chef “ two years ago. Who is this chef you wonder? Her name is Julie Noble.

Julie was first introduced to Angostura bitters when she was a child. Her grandmother used to put it in milk with some sugar for her every evening and she has been hooked on it ever since. So much so, she says she really loves it in sweet things. She says it is enhanced when married with sugar, this is why it is a wonderful additive to most desserts.

She says “ I love the product and its unique flavor. I love to experiment with it. I have turned many people on to its flavor and to use it in cooking. My friends all use it now.” She always tells people that “bitters has that old world class charm - just take a look at the bottle”.......She thinks that the spicy citrusy flavor is unique and edgy. “Edgy in a way that it adds something that cannot be imitated by using another ingredient. The flavour is so unique and special it will grow on you.” She said.

Julie admits that her favourite sweet dish using bitters is cheesecake, and savoury is Turkey burgers. “And what about our orange bitters” I asked her. She replied..... I have used orange bitters in many things, my favourite is my chocolate orange pudding. I was able to buy several bottles on my trip to Trinidad 2 years ago, but I cannot find it to purchase here in Idaho or in Los Angeles though! That will all change in the near future I assured her.

Well did anyone like the Orange bitters wings? When I tried them they were delicious. Any way, I interviewed an avid Angostura aromatic bitters fan. Her name is Julie Noble who is a food blogger and chef who looks for inspiration in her cooking every day. She shared lovely recipes made with the bitters with her readers. I have asked her some questions and await the answers. When i have them, you will be the first to know.

Orange bitters recipes

Ok so one of our reliable chefs gave me this recipe to try and it is absolutely delicious.......Why don't you try some this weekend?

Chili Orange Sticky Wings

Ingredients:

8 Chicken wings

Marinade:
1/3 cup honey
1 tbs minced garlic
1/4 cup Angostura pramge notters
1 tsp Oriental sesame oil
1 tbs Chinese Chilli Garlic Sauce
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Salt
1/3 cup sesame seeds

Sauce:
2 tbs Angostura orange bitters
1 tbs minced garlic
2 tbs soy sauce

Method:
Divide wings into small drumstick and wing pieces (you should have 16 pieces). Combine marinade ingredients, pour onto wings and combine well. Cover and marinate for one hour in the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place wings into a shallow, greased baking dish or pan, bake until cooked through turning once about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the sauce except the sesame seeds and stir well. Baste chicken wings generously with sauce, return to oven and bake turning a few times and basting with all the sauce, until sticky and bubbly. Remove from oven, sprinkle wiht sesame seeds and garnish with chopped chadon beni if desired.

Makes 16 pieces

Angostura bitters is considered by many as the essential drop for many cocktails. The product is known the world over but where it is used the most, is the big question. Also, despite where it is distributed to, the product seems to find itself in countries where distribution is not known. How is that you may ask? Well the answer may well be as secret as the product, but I suspect the suitcase trade has not died. What do you think?

ANGOSTURA ORANGE BITTERS

Did you know?...........In 2007, Angostura Orange Bitters was created for bartenders and mixologists by the makers of the world famous Angostura aromatic bitters. It is the first line extension of the almost 200 year old signature product.

It is a blend of citrus essence, oils from bitter and sweet oranges, herbs and spices has produced bitters with a depth of citrus flavour that can transform a wide range of cocktails. The 10cl bottle retains the famous oversize label of the original, with a distinctive orange peel design.

This is the first new bitters product launched by the company since Dr Johan Siegert created the original aromatic bitters in the town of Angostura in 1824. Angostura Orange Bitters has come into its own and since its creation, experienced bartenders and cocktail aficionados are considering it an indispensable ingredient in many of the world’s best cocktails, along with its famous relative.

If you have not seen the product yet, look out for it.............why not share how you would choose to use it?

ORANGE BITTERS ANYONE?

I am sure not many people know that Angostura now has orange bitters available in Trinidad. Well it will be officially launched soon. It is the first line extension of the world famous Angostura aromatic bitters. Orange bitters has always been around as a category but this is the first done by Angostura. It is great in fruit drinks and other food and desserts. It actually can be more widely used than the other orange bitters around. So look out for this product on the market. It will be launched in the US later this year also.

Excitement Galore

I am starting this blog to talk about bitters, its beauty in food and beverage and to start discussion around this interesting category of food and beverage. Angostura aromatic bitters is the most famous and longest existing bitters in the world.  I am proud to be part of the company that has been making this interesting product since 1824.

It has been quite interesting recently, to see all the talk going around the world about the shortage of Angostura aromatic bitters. From as far as China, miles away from where the product is made in Trinidad and Tobago the country that created the steelpan, people have been talking about the product.  Several media houses have questioned whether the company had closed down or gone into financial difficulties as a result of its parent company, others thought that the company had gone on strike and others even thought it had burnt down......how bizarre.  How rumours spread.

Well let the truth be told, the company had never stopped producing bitters, it simply had a problem getting bottles from its existing supplier and quickly had to make changes to rectify the situation.  The sudden talk about a "shortage of bitters" spread like wildfire, causing me to receive hundreds of emails from all over the world asking about what was happening to their beloved Angostura bitters. My answer to them ultimately was..........."you do not have long to wait, we have shipped hundreds of cases of the product into the US and our distributor there, Mizkan Americas Inc, was on top of things."  They have been working feverishly to get the word out  that Angostura aromatic bitters is alive and well and spreading its wings all over America.   Let me know what your experience has been since the bitters drought.......