Table talk, July 9

Rocky Mountain News

Originally published 03:00 p.m., July 8, 2008
Updated 06:03 p.m., July 8, 2008

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Figs

Produce pick

Fresh figs. California growers expect this year's harvest to total close to 8 million pounds. Brown Turkey and Black Mission Figs are first to market, followed by amber-colored Kadota figs and pale yellow Calimyrnas, known for their nutty, sweet flavor. Look for soft figs and a fresh aroma. Overripe figs smell fermented. Keep figs refrigerated; they should last five to seven days. To eat, remove the stem and eat out of hand.

calfreshfigs.com

Big Easy cocktails

When the Museum of the American Cocktail opens in New Orleans on July 21, it plans to take drinking seriously. The museum near the French Quarter will host scholarly seminars and feature a permanent collection of rare spirits, Prohibition-era literature, vintage cocktail shakers and other memorabilia. Some historians believe the first cocktail - the Sazerac - was invented in New Orleans. A mix of rye whiskey, sugar, bitters and absinthe (or a substitute anise- flavored liquor), it was almost named the state's official cocktail. Opposed by lawmakers who thought they shouldn't promote alcohol, it was named the city's cocktail instead.

Associated Press

Trend du jour

Granola mixes -- wowsa, talk about an explosion of varieties. You want soft-textured granola, you got it: Anderson Trail's soft, oatmeal-like granola for folks with braces. You want yumberries, goji berries and black currants, you got Bear Naked yumberry-goji-currant granola. Don't like plain ol' almonds? How about Rudi's Orange Berry Grove with cashews, oats and cranberries? Second only to granola are trail mixes with assortments of nuts, dark chocolate and dried cherries. Back to Nature has the Pacific Heights Blend With Roasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds and Bing Cherries, and Bear Naked has Hundred Mile Medley With Cashews, Dark Chocolate and Cherries.

Cool beans

Westminster's Orchard Town Center and the Women's Bean Project have teamed for a summerlong project, Recipe for Suc- cess, culminating with a Bean Soup Social on Sept. 13 to benefit the Women's Bean Project. Activ- ities include free Friday-night concerts featuring local bands and sales of Women's Bean Pro- ject products. On July 24 and Aug. 29, the shopping center at Interstate 25 and West 144th Avenue will host activities for kids. For more on the events, go to www.womensbeanproject.com.