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BUZZ - trends, news and views
By Editor: May 2007,
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Our quick (and unscientific) look at some of the trends and news
we find interesting and relevant.
Highland Park takes top honors in World Spirits Competition
Orkney-based Highland Park has clinched the coveted title of Distiller of the Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards 2007, the U.S.’s largest global spirits competition, which attracted over 700 entries from 51 countries spanning six continents. The brand was also awarded double gold medals for its 12, 18 and 25 year old single malts and gold awards for its 15 and 30 year old expressions. Parent company, The Edrington Group, scooped a total of 20 awards for its single malts Highland Park and The Macallan.
Visit HighlandPark.co.uk to learn more »
Fruity cocktails count as health food, study finds
A fruity cocktail may not only be fun to drink but may count as health food, U.S. and Thai researchers say. Adding ethanol— the type of alcohol found in rum, vodka, tequila and other spirits—boosted the antioxidant nutrients in strawberries and blackberries, the researchers found. Any colored fruit might be made even more healthful with the addition of a splash of alcohol, they report in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.
Dr. Korakot Chanjirakul and colleagues at Kasetsart University in Thailand and scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture stumbled upon their finding unexpectedly.
They were exploring ways to help keep strawberries fresh during storage. Treating the berries with alcohol increased in antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activity, they found. Any colored fruit or vegetable is rich in antioxidants, which are chemicals that can cancel out the cell-damaging effects of compounds called free radicals.
(excerpted from CNN.com)
Mother's Day spending on the rise
Mothers should prepare to be showered with gifts this year for Mother's Day as many consumers plan to increase their spending, according to a survey released by the U.S. National Retail Federation. The survey, conducted by BIGresearch, said consumers plan spend nearly $16 billion in total, with the average shopper forking out $139.14 on a Mother's Day gift, up from an average of $122.16 spent last year. Mothers will be treated to various gifts as consumers are projected to spend $3.1 billion in total on a special dinner or brunch at their mother's favorite restaurant (61 percent), $2.3 billion on flowers (72.4 percent), $2.1 billion on jewelry (32.8 percent), and $1.6 billion on clothes and accessories (37 percent). Other popular gifts shoppers plan to buy include greeting cards (86.8 percent), gift certificates (39.3 percent), books or CDs (29.3 percent), housewares or gardening tools (18.5 percent) and consumer electronics or computer related accessories (11.3 percent). Another popular gift that has increased in recent years is pampering mothers at a spa or beauty salon. Nearly 20 percent of consumers plan on treating their mother with rest and relaxation, spending $1.3 billion in total. Of the consumers buying Mother's Day gifts, men plan to spend the most, with the average male shopper planning to spend $172.91, compared to women's estimated $107.18. But remember: It’s the thought that counts.
(with files from CNNMoney.com)
Churchill Downs to honor Barbaro
Fallen Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro will be honored May 5 at the site of his greatest victory. Churchill Downs is planning a tribute to Barbaro and owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson between the sixth and seventh races just before the Derby. Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby by 6½ lengths, but broke down during the Preakness Stakes two weeks later.
(from The Globe and Mail, April 25/07)
