What Are Coffee Pods And How To Use Them

Coffee pods are capsules that contain pre-ground coffee to help you make an instant cup of perfectly brewed coffee in minutes. These are great for saving time as you need not go through a long, brewing process to get a good-tasting coffee. Coffee pods have become increasingly popular in the world of special coffee. The only catch is that you will have to invest in a coffee pod machine to use these pods. However, there are also alternative ways of using coffee pods, such as through a French Press. Coffee pods will help you get that coffee shop-like brew at home in no time.

How To Use Coffee Pods

Coffee pods provide single servings of different coffee types, flavours, or espresso shots. All you need to do is insert the pod into the coffee machine. The machine then pierces the pod at one end, and hot water passes through the ground coffee in the pod. The hot water extracts the coffee through the filter paper at the bottom of the pod, which then pours into the cup. Each pod is enough for a single cup. If you want a stronger, richer brew, you can use two espresso pods.

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Difference Between Coffee Pods And Instant Coffee

Coffee pods are single-serving packages of pre-ground coffee. On the other hand, instant coffee is made from freeze-dried coffee granules. If you are looking for a richly brewed, barista-style hot coffee, then coffee pods will be great for you. If you want to make iced coffee or coffee for a large group of people, instant coffee may work better for you.
Also Read: Roastery In Finland Launches World's First AI-Generated Coffee Blend

How To Skip Coffee Machine And Use The Pod In A French Press

If you do not have a coffee pod machine, you can also use these coffee pods in a French press to make a good cup of coffee. Here are the steps:

1. Pierce one end of the coffee pod carefully using a knife or scissors.
2. Pour the coffee out of the pod into the French Press. 
3. Pour a little amount of boiled and cooled down water (best temperature is 93 degree Celsius or 200 degree Fahrenheit) over the coffee and stir. 
4. Fill the French Press with the rest of the water, stir and let it sit for five minutes. 
5. Press down the plunger slowly and your coffee is ready.
Also Read: Making Perfect Cold Coffee At Home Is Not Difficult. Watch Out For These 5 Common Mistakes

Have you ever tried coffee pods? Share your coffee pod experience with us in the comments section.

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Fruit Toasties: Kickstart Your Mornings On A Fruity Note With This Easy Recipe

Fruits have always been a constant part of our diet. They are wholesome, nutritious and make our meals tasty and visually appealing.  Fruits are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre that benefit our overall health in multiple ways.  Since they are low in calories and high in nutrition, experts recommend eating fruits regularly to maintain a healthy weight and aid digestion. And the best part is, that you can incorporate fruits into your everyday diet in various interesting ways. Are you looking for one unique way to incorporate fruity goodness into your diet? What if we tell you that there's an easy recipe to kick-start the day loaded with fruits?

Also Read: Should You Eat Fruits Before Or After A Meal?

Content creator Simran Vohra (@okaysimrann) shared an easy recipe of fruit toasties that require minimal ingredients from your pantry and taste superb! Intrigued? So without further ado, let's get going.

Watch the full video of fruit toasties below:

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A post shared by Simran Vohra (@okaysimrann)

How To Make Fruit Toasties | Recipe To Make Fruit Toasties At Home

The recipe looks quite simple! To make fruit toasties at home, start by taking two slices of milk bread. The food vlogger mentioned that you can take any kind of bread for this recipe. Remove the sides from the slices and cut them into two halves. Now, spread some butter and toast the slices. Make sure to keep the gas flame on sim so that the toast does not burn. In the meantime, chop some fruits of your choice. This recipe includes apples, kiwi, bananas, mango, dragon fruit, blueberries, etc. 

Once the bread gets toasted, put a generous layer of cheese on it. Now top it up with chopped fruits. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and it's ready to eat!

If the fruit toastie recipe has taken you by surprise, then here we have some more unique ways to include fruits in your daily diet. Read on.

5 Fun Ways To Add Fruits In Your Daily Diet:

1. Replace Snacks With Fruits

Do you have a designated time in the day when you eat snacks to satiate your hunger? Well, all you have to do is replace those snacks with fruits! The exchange of samosa, chips, chocolates, etc. would not be an easy ride but surely worth it if you want to add more fruits to your diet.

2. Buy Attractive Cutlery

Trick your mind into eating more fruits by purchasing a gorgeous fruit bowl or cutlery, and use it only for this purpose. Make sure to keep it in your eyesight so that you get motivated to eat fruits whenever you see it. 

3. Carry Fruit To Work

Instead of making yourself an elaborate snack for the office or school, cultivate a habit of keeping fruits handy. Carry at least two pieces of your favourite fruit – banana, orange, apple, grapes, peach, etc. – and eat them whenever you feel hungry. Since they are highly perishable, they would spoil quickly so make sure to consume them as soon as possible!

4. Try New Fruits

When was the last time you tried a new fruit? Exploring new varieties of fruits other than the generic ones can increase your knowledge and help you grow an interest in them. There are several non-common fruits like dragon fruit, avocados, grapefruits, etc. available in the market for you to try on!

5. Eat Fruits As Desserts

If you have a sweet tooth and don't know how to manage it, try eating fruits as desserts. Freeze some fruits and make a sorbet out of it. Or pair fruits with melted dark chocolate to make a delectable combination. The options are endless!

Also Read: Eating Fruits Or Drinking Fruit Juice - What Is Better? Here's What Expert Says

Have a nice day, dear reader!

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Celebrity Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar Shares 3 Traditional Foods to Stay Cool This Summer

Many of us struggle to keep ourselves cool in the summer. Being all sticky, sweaty, and hot, getting even our daily tasks done becomes a challenge. Furthermore, it is practically impossible and generally not encouraged to spend all your time sitting indoors with the air conditioner working. So how do we keep cool? In a recent Instagram post, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has talked about 3 local, seasonal, and traditional foods that will help you feel cooler without feeling the need to switch on the AC all the time. Additionally, regular consumption of these foods will help prevent acidity, bloating, headache, fatigue, indigestion, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite.

Here Are 3 Delicious Ways to Beat the Heat as Shared by Rujuta Diwekar:

1. A Hyper-Local Fruit in Mid-Morning

Include a regional, local fruit in your diet, one which has a name in your local language. Diwekar gave the example of an ice apple (called tadgola in Maharashtra or Galeli in Gujarat). The nutritionist adds, "In case this fruit is not available in your region, you can consume any other similar seasonal fruit like mulberry (shehtoot), egg fruit (canistel), or any other local berries that are especially available in summer. These are rich in antioxidants, have a sweet flavour, and most importantly, burst with juice as soon as you take a bite." Sharing the benefits, she adds that eating such fruits "will help you keep your gut and mind cool and calm."

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A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar)

2. Dahi-Rice for Lunch (With Pickle or Papad)

Many people lose their appetite for lunch during the summer because of the heat. Cooking in the kitchen during summer isn't easy either. Diwekar advises cooking rice in the morning while preparing breakfast. This rice will cool down by lunchtime. Now during lunchtime, have this rice and mix it with curd using your hands. Add a little salt to enhance the flavour. She explains, "Dahi-rice is a good mixture of prebiotic and probiotic. This will line up your intestine, allow the intestinal mucus to thrive, you will feel good, your appetite will return, and you will not have fatigue, irritability, or random sugar or salt cravings." You can also eat some pickle or papad along with this meal.
Also Read: Love Curd Rice In Summer? 5 Fun Ways To Make It More Interesting And Delicious

3. Gulkand Water at Bedtime

Diwekar says, "This is something which will help you reduce acidity, improve sleep quality, keep the stomach cool, reduce leg cramps, reduce eye fatigue." Mix a teaspoon of gulkand in water and sip it after dinner or before going to bed. The drink may not "look" very good, she notes, but tastes delicious and has multiple health benefits. Diwekar adds, "Drinking this will help you feel relaxed, and you will not need to watch something on a screen to unwind. The amazing fragrance of roses would be enough to help you relax." Don't forget to chew on the gulkand rose petals in the end after finishing your drink.
Also Read: Why You Must Start Every Meal With A Plateful Of Veggies - Biochemist Explains

Include these foods in your daily summer diet from today which will help you feel cool, calm, and refreshed enough to beat the summer heat.

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Masaba Gupta Was "Craving A Breakfast Taco The Size Of My Face" - Here's What She Made

Masaba Gupta's foodie tales have always come loaded with healthy eating goals. And her food cravings during pregnancy are no different. The soon-to-be-mom, who has entered her “second trimester”, was “craving a breakfast taco”. So she went ahead and simply made one for herself. Needless to say, the end result was drool-worthy. How do we know? The fashion designer turned actress has shared a glimpse of her breakfast plate on Instagram Stories. We can see a big-size taco topped with what looks like salsa verde, scrambled eggs and spicy vegetable dressing that includes onions, coriander and tomatoes. The tortilla itself seemed to be a whole-wheat one.

Sharing the picture, Masab wrote, “Craving a breakfast taco the size of my face. So I made a breakfast taco the size of my face. And it is clean and yummy. Minus the sour cream because we must not lose it in the second trimester now shall we?” Take a look at Masaba Gupta's breakfast treat here:

Photo Credit: Instagram /masabagupta

Just like Masaba Gupta, if you also want to try lip-smacking tacos at home, you are in the right spot.  We have put together some amazing recipes to help you:

1. Tandoori Chicken Tacos

We bring you a recipe that gives you the best of both worlds. This taco is nothing less than a treat for any chicken lover out there. So what have you been waiting for? Take a look at the recipe here.

2. Paneer Tacos with Pita Bread

This is yet another fusion recipe that may end up being the ultimate solution to your odd-hour hunger pangs. Why? It only takes 15 minutes to be prepared and tastes out of this world. Here is your easy-peasy recipe.
Also Read: Masaba Gupta Announces Pregnancy: Here's What The Mommy-To-Be Is Craving

3. Veggie Mushroom Tacos

In just 20 minutes you can enjoy a veggie-loaded taco. This dish is amazing to serve your guests during parties. It also makes for a quick meal when you don't have time to cook. Check out the recipe here.

4. Plant-Based Keema Tacos

Just imagine taco shells filled with mayonnaise, veg keema, vegan cheese and veggies that are baked until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. Drooling already? So hurry up, click here for the recipe.

5. Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Yet another healthy treat for all our vegetarian friends out there. You really need to try this quick and easy cauliflower taco recipe with Pita Bread - it is yummy, crunchy, and filling! Recipe here.
Also Read: Mom-To-Be Masaba Gupta Loves Spicy Thai Food And Here Is Proof

We cannot wait to see Masaba Gupta's next foodie update!

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Is Eating Eggs in Summer Bad for Your Health?

Who doesn't love eggs? So much so that the lovers have actually termed themselves as 'eggitarians' which translates to vegetarian egg lovers. Eggs are one of the most wholesome and nutritious foods and is considered one of the superfoods. You can find all the goodness in just one egg, with the yolk that has around 90 per cent of egg's calcium and iron and the white portion contains almost half the egg's protein. Undoubtedly, eggs make the richest source of nutrients and are super healthy for your body. However, the question remains, should we consume eggs in this scorching heat?

Should we or shouldn't we eat eggs in summer?

It is a misconception that eating eggs in summer can be unhealthy. According to Mehar Rajput, Nutritionist and Dietitian, FITPASS, "It is completely okay to have eggs in summer, though in moderation. They are important and provide different vitamins and minerals to keep your energy level high. Eggs have a tendency to produce heat in our body and can cause indigestion and discomfort." Eggs may cause heat in the body, but if eaten in moderation may prove to be excellent wholesome foods. It is advised that you can eat up to 2 eggs a day and not more than that as it may cause your body to heat up further leading to bowel problems.

"Eggs are rich in Vitamins A & D required for making bones stronger. Minerals like Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Iodine essential fatty acids and Iron. Iron is required for the formation of red blood cells. That keeps your energy level high and helps in controlling cravings, prevents fatigue, weakness and improves resistance and immunity," Mehar Rajput explains.

In an Instagram video shared by Nutritionist Amita Gadre, she explained that eating eggs in summer is absolutely fine as long as you are eating them with some fruits and vegetables. "These will help in better digestion of eggs," she explains. If we don't eat eggs with fruits and vegetables with eggs, it could lead to constipation and digestive issues. Moreover, nutritionist Gadre also recommends consuming a lot of fibre in your diet. "Since we lose our appetite in summer, you can even eat egg in a salad to consume fibre."

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A post shared by Amita Gadre | Nutritionist (@amitagadre)

If you think you aren't having enough eggs, you can also consume alternative foods to intake more protein and other nutrients that are found in egg. Mehar says, "Though you can have eggs in moderation, the same amount of protein as eggs can be derived from chicken, calcium can be derived from milk, vitamins D & A can be derived from fish or fish oil."

Also Read: How to peel hard boiled eggs: 5 fool proof ways

Benefits of Eggs

1. High on Nutrition

Eggs are a great source of nutrients including vitamin B2, less amounts of fats and cholesterol and high amounts of protein. The egg whites have selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals like zinc, copper and iron. On the other hand, egg yolks have more calories and fat. They are a source of cholesterol and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E. These numerous nutrients help keeping the body healthy.

2. Boosts weight loss

Eating eggs can actually reduce weight and lead to a healthier body. Consuming eggs in breakfast may increase satiety (satisfaction) in over-weight people, which may restrict them from eating more resulting in weight loss.

Also Read: The secret to perfect scrambled eggs

3. Prevents cataracts and promotes healthy eye-sight

A good intake of eggs may result in a healthy eye-sight. Eggs are a great source of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin that plays a vital role in keeping the eyes healthy.

4. Protects bones

The presence of vitamin D in eggs help the bones stay strong. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and maintains optimum bone health. Eggs therefore play an important role in preventing osteoporosis.

5. Promote healthy hair and skin

By consuming eggs, skin and hair remain healthy due to the presence of high content of sulphur and amino acids with wide array of vitamins and minerals that promote healthy growth.

Undoubtedly, you can have eggs in summers; however the intake should not be more than 1-2 eggs per day. This way, you will be able to procure important nutrients from the food and stay healthy in summers.

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5 Effective And Unique Ways To Cut A Cake For Everyone To Share

Cutting a cake is one of the most popular things people do to celebrate any occasion, whether it's a birthday, wedding, anniversary, achievement, award ceremony, baby shower, farewell, festivals, etc. Since the cake-cutting ceremony is integral to many of our happy life events, it's time to learn a few effective ways to cut cake and impress all those around us. These techniques will also help with the even distribution of the cake, especially if it's not that big and there are many people to share.

Here are five different and effective cake-cutting styles to try:

1. New Triangles

This is one of the most viral and trending styles for cutting cake, with several bakers trying it and posting their guides on social media. Begin by taking a sharp metal scale to cut the cake straight vertically and horizontally into four equal parts. Now do the same diagonally to get eight equal and big slices. Now using a knife, make a cut, slicing each triangle into two. Your cake is now divided into good and equal 16 pieces. (Watch the tutorial here, as shared by @goodberry_byishleen on Instagram.)

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A post shared by Ishleen Kaur | Patna cake artist (@goodberry_byishleen)

2. Lengthwise

This method is perfect for tall cakes. Cut the cake lengthwise and then split it further along its height. You will be left with long strips of cake which you can further split into smaller pieces if there are more people to share. Repeat the steps for the rest of the cake. (Here is an easy guide shared by @bakedbyrylie on Instagram.)

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A post shared by Rylie Lansford (@bakedbyrylie)

3. Smaller Circle, Squares & Triangles

This is an effective guide for cutting a round cake into multiple pieces. First, cut a smaller circle from the cake. Now make cuts to the outer ring to get small, square pieces. Now the smaller circle left can be sliced into small triangles. You will get lots of pieces, enough to feed a large group. (Here is a video for a demonstration, shared by @cakesbyflynn on Instagram.)

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A post shared by CAKES BY FLYNN (@cakesbyflynn)

Also Read: Why Do Some Couples Eat Their Wedding Cake A Year Later?

4. Wine Glass

This is a no-brainer that's meant just for fun. Grab wine glasses, turn them upside down and push them down into the cake so the glass is filled with cake. Take your glass out and eat the cake with a spoon. Make sure you start with the corners. (Here's a fun video documenting the same, shared by @freshsource on Instagram.)

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A post shared by FreshSource (@freshsource)

Also Read: Move Over Cake: 5 Global Birthday Food Traditions That Will Blow Your Mind

5. Good-Old Triangles With A Twist

If you don't want to experiment, you can stick to the traditional cake-cutting style where triangles are cut out of a round cake. However, a great tip that will improve this style is not inserting the knife from the top, but rather inserting the knife from outside to inside. This will give a clean finish, and the icing won't mess over the cake sponge. (Here's a video to help you understand further, shared by @pastryparadise9 on Instagram.)

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A post shared by Pastry Paradise (@pastryparadise9)

Which cake-cutting style do you find most effective? Share with us in the comments section.

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Watch: Woman Adds Dark Chocolate To Tomato Sauce, Leaves Internet Divided

The sauce can make or break your dish. Agree? After all, it adds an extra punch of flavour to our taste buds. Before you think too much, we are not here to share a sauce recipe. We have come across a video of a nutritional advisor Maria Dillon (@mrsdillonskitchen) adding dark chocolate to regular tomato sauce.  As per Maria, dark chocolate helps in bringing out its “richness and flavour.” Maria has shared a video on Instagram, wherein she can be actually seen adding two chocolate cubes to her boiling tomato sauce. The video shows what looks like perfectly cooked meatballs in the tomato gravy. Then, Maria adds two cubes of dark chocolate and mixes the dish properly, turning a bright red gravy into brown.

Also Read: Man Pays Tribute To Father 'Retiring' From Kirana Shop, Viral Post Wins Hearts Online

The text attached to the clip reads, “Doing this a lot lately…” Sharing the clip she wrote, “Adding dark chocolate to Tomatoey sauces is so so good. Really adds richness and flavour.” The clip has more than 6 million views.

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A post shared by Maria Dillon ???????? (@mrsdillonskitchen)

Dillon's hack for the tomato sauce left the Internet divided. While many supported her secret ingredient in the comments section, a few asked what is the need to do it. A comment read, “I don't know how I feel about this.”

A user asked, “Why are people freaking out? Chocolate is used in many soup-like dishes/sauces, are you all new to the Earth?”

Listing down the benefits of dark chocolate, a person said, “100 % Dark chocolate is very good for you in moderation. Two squares every day will do more good than harm.”

Defending Maria's recipe, another added that in Italian cities people add dark cocoa to the dishes. “In Sicily, Palermo we put dark cocoa in the caponata, which is far too hard to explain but it is delish!”

“My dad was told to add either dark chocolate or cocoa powder to his tomato sauce by an older Italian woman. She said it brings out the richness and warmth in the flavours and also slightly cuts the acidity from the tomatoes- it's a trick that a lot of people use and it's common in a lot of dishes. Don't knock it till you try it! It's really good!” said a user.

Another commented, “Chocolate is actually used as a spice in many curry dishes. Make everything cream.”

Also Read: Watch: Food Blogger Devours Butter Chicken, Parrota In Minutes, Internet Calls His Stomach A "Void"

Do you add chocolate to any recipe or have you tried any dish that was prepared using chocolate?

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