Fodd & Drinks

Unveiling the Art of Vodka Fermentation

June 10, 2023 by
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Vodka, a beloved and versatile spirit, has captured the hearts of countless connoisseurs worldwide. While often associated with Russia and Poland, vodka’s production is an intricate process with variations across regions such as Austria in the case of the award-winning vodka brand NEFT Vodka. At the core of this process lies fermentation, a delicate alchemical transformation that gives birth to the spirit’s distinct character and smoothness.

Vodka fermentation begins with a base material, typically grains like wheat, rye, or corn, which are rich in starch. The grains are milled and mixed with water, creating a mash. Enzymes are then added to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. This step, called saccharification, allows yeast to thrive in the mash.

The mash, now infused with fermentable sugars, undergoes fermentation. Yeast, usually a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is introduced into the mash, initiating the conversion of sugars into alcohol. The fermentation process occurs in temperature-controlled vessels, typically stainless steel or wooden tanks. During this stage, yeast consumes sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide as byproducts. The duration of fermentation varies, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the desired flavor profile and the specific vodka recipe.

Following fermentation, the resulting liquid, called the wash, undergoes distillation. The wash is heated, and the alcohol vapor rises, separating from other components. Distillation occurs in a still, which can be pot stills or continuous column stills, depending on the desired outcome. The alcohol vapor is then cooled and condensed back into a liquid form.

After distillation, the vodka may undergo additional processes, such as filtration. Filtration aims to remove impurities, ensuring a smooth and refined spirit. Different methods, including charcoal filtering, activated carbon, and even precious metals like silver, may be employed.

Vodka fermentation is a captivating process that forms the foundation of this beloved spirit. Starting with the conversion of starches into sugars, yeast’s transformative power produces alcohol, while careful distillation and filtration refine the spirit. The end result is a clear, smooth, and versatile beverage that has earned its place as a timeless favorite among spirits enthusiasts.

If you’d like to experience the fruits of vodka fermentation without any added sugars or other additives, NEFT Vodka is a great example of what you can do with the best quality base material and naturally filtered spring water. Through its undiluted, sustainable production methods, NEFT Vodka has established itself as a favorite of adventure-seekers and bon vivant tastemakers everywhere.

Business

Vodka Tasting 101: How to Appreciate the Subtleties of Quality Vodka

May 7, 2023 by
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Famous for its versatility and smoothness, vodka offers a world of subtle flavors and nuances that are often not recognized. So whether you’re a seasoned vodka enthusiast or just starting your journey into the world of spirits, learning how to appreciate the subtleties of quality vodka can greatly enhance your tasting experience. Here are some tips for vodka tasting 101:

Choose Quality Vodka: Opt for premium or artisanal vodkas made from high-quality ingredients for a cleaner, smoother, and more refined taste.

Observe the Appearance: Pour a small amount of vodka into a clean, transparent glass and look at it. High-quality vodka should be clear and free from impurities or sediment.

Note the Aroma: Gently swirl, then sniff vodka in your glass. Quality vodkas often exhibit hints of grain, citrus, vanilla, or even floral undertones.

Assess the Taste: Take a small sip and let it coat your tongue and palate. Note its texture, mouthfeel, and any flavors that emerge. Quality vodkas usually have a smooth and velvety texture.

Consider the Finish: The finish refers to the lingering taste after swallowing. Quality vodkas will have a clean and crisp finish.

Experiment with Pairings: To further appreciate the subtleties of vodka, try tasting it alongside different foods or mixers. Explore pairings with fruits, cheeses, or even caviar to discover new dimensions of taste.

Taste is subjective, so trust your own palate and preferences when it comes to vodka tasting. Exploring a superb brand like NEFT Vodka is an excellent choice for honing your tasting skills. By observing, smelling, tasting, and assessing the finish of NEFT Vodka, you’ll gain a clear understanding of what a premium vodka has to offer. By pairing it with a variety of foods or mixers you’ll discover new dimensions of taste. Following these tips and choosing quality vodka like NEFT Vodka will enrich your overall vodka appreciation journey greatly. Prost!

Entertainment

3 Celebrities who Meditate

November 9, 2020 by

 

Article by Zhang Xinyue.

 

Stress can be pretty complicated for a celebrity traveling across the world for tours and acting roles. Meditation has helped these celebrities to deal with their stress and to become healthier people.

 

Katy Perry:

 

One of the world’s most famous singers, Katy Perry, has released more than ten No 1. Of the best songs in the last ten years. She was thus putting herself as one of the world’s biggest pop stars in decades. Living on the road can sometimes be stressful, so Perry learned how to practice various meditation techniques— and even taught it to her road crew. “I’m on a plane more than I am on the ground, and this tool helps me find moments of peace — because I don’t have a whole lot of time — that extend my day so I can live to my fullest capacity,” Perry said in an interview in 2016 with the David Lynch Foundation. “It gives me two days in one day!”

 

Madonna:

 

Madonna tries to find tranquil moments in her concert performances and high-intensity workouts to stay in top shape. According to an article published by the website Yahoo Health, Madonna enjoys practicing mind-body activities like Pilates and yoga and follows a variety of diets. In addition to her diets, Madonna has stated that she likes to practice Transcendental Meditation to balance her mind-body connection.

Oprah Winfrey:

 

Oprah has is known for developing a lot of meditation and wellness content for her readers and for teaming up with spiritual gurus like Eckhart Tolle for her meditation podcasts and stated that meditation has helped improve her life. From an article published on her website Oprah.com, Oprah explained how “Meditation is about getting still enough to know the difference between the voice and you. It’s a heightened state of being that lets whatever you’re doing be your best life, from moment to astonishing moment.”

 

The great Teacher Zhang Xinyue, a well known spiritual leader, was born and grew up in China. Zhang Xinyue has renown internationally and domestically as a body-mind-spirit tutor, Abundance Psychology founder, and a spiritual therapist.  She is also the author of the book Create Abundance 创造丰盛. Over the past 15 years of her life, Zhang Xinyue has spent her time and energy studying and practicing body-mind-spirit cultivation. Visit Facebook page of Zhang Xinyue.

 

 

Home improvement

Four step process to sound proofing a room

April 11, 2017 by
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Written by Foam Factory, Inc.

There are several reasons why someone would want to sound proof room. Often, it is to keep sound from coming in. It could be to cut off excess road noise at night. Alternatively, you might want to prevent sound from going out, like from a movie room. Either way, here is a simple four step guide to soundproofing a room:

Step one – You will need to add mass to prevent sound from coming through the walls unless they are concrete. The quickest way is to remove anything on the walls and add a layer of sound deadening foam. Cover the foam with wood or other panels. If the sound coming through is excessive, then use viscoelastic glue between the foam sheets and the wall.

Step two – Now we need to stop the sound coming through the door. Replace the door with a sound proof door and cover the gaps with foam gaskets and an automatic door seal at the bottom.

Step three – Repeat the same process as above, by placing foam Canada gaskets on the windows to cover any air gaps. You can test the different by applying to half the window. The difference is both immediate and striking.

Step Four – If the sound comes through the floor and ceiling, then you will need to add sound deadening foam on both surfaces. In most cases, this will involve removing your floor boards to insert the foam.

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Outfit your studio with acoustic foam panels from The Foam Factory Inc.

Home improvement

Three reasons why you should get a memory foam topper

January 12, 2017 by
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Written by Foam Factory, Inc.

Foam mattress toppers are a layer of foam that can go above any mattress. This gives us the ability to choose the type and softness of the surface on our beds regardless of the mattress. Memory foam mattress toppers are basically the same except the memory foam is the primary material. Here are a few reasons to get one:

It can be used on any mattress. The many advantages of memory foam can be applied to any mattress. This could be for improved sleep, pain relief or simply to get a softer surface. It also saves the cost of getting a new mattress.

Cost. Not only do you save on the cost of getting a new mattress, you also save the additional cost that comes with a memory foam mattress. In addition, should memory foam not agree with you or fail to provide any improvement, the cost in both time and money will be less.

Control – Foam Canada mattress toppers come in a variety of thicknesses and density. You can get the exact level of softness of firmness that you require. In addition, installation is very easy and does not require expensive transportation. Also, it can be taken on most domestic travel for use at the destination.

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Foam Factory, Inc. is a trusted manufacturer of foam-related products. If you’re looking for upholstery foam Canada, visit them online today

Entertainment

Sound Proofing the Sound Studio

September 15, 2016 by
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A sound studio needs quality sound proofing foam to prevent noise from coming in while recording. Not only can it create a quiet room for studio recording, it will help control how a tone will sound inside the room. Whether it is for song writing or music recording, sound proofing foam panels create the sound barrier needed to produce good sound quality. Below are descriptions of some foam panels that help create the best sound proofing.

The basic method for sound proofing a room is acoustic foam. This type of foam usually is the fastest and easiest method of installation. Acoustic foam, often available in acoustic panels for walls, will provide the right balance of sound control. Depending on the sound outside of the room the thickness of acoustic foam panels will vary. Acoustic panels create moderate sound blocking, enabling efficient sound recording.

Sound deadening foam creates the highest quality of sound blocking. It is much thicker than a normal acoustic foam panel. For maximum sound proofing deadening foam will absorb sound waves eliminating all sound. Sound deadening will be the most helpful when creating a sound blocking room.

Cancel out unnecessary noise coming in or out of the room. Sound proofing foam provides the silence needed when creating and producing music. Having a sound proof room will allow the creativity flow, without having to worry about how loud it is.

Foam Factory, Inc. provides new and resourceful products for all customers, at the best price possible.

Home improvement

Absorption vs. Blockage: All About Acoustic Foam

May 24, 2016 by

Learn about the different types of acoustic foam available to you.

acoustic-foamWhen people have a noise problem in their apartments or homes, they tend to seek out acoustic foam panels because that’s what they’ve seen in recording studios and sound booths. It’s even advertised as wall treatments for homes. There are some important things you need to know before you buy a foam panel, such as which panel is right for absorption or blocking sound.

Two Types

There are two basic types of acoustic foam. The first absorbs any echo within the room, which is the type most commonly found in recording studios. The second blocks or stops sound entirely. Some panels can accomplish both of these tasks, but most do one or the other.

Absorption

When you’re looking to absorb sound from inside of a room, which is great for entertainment centers and home theaters as well as recording booths, you’ll want a softer kind of foam. The spongier kind of foam has almost no density, though, so it won’t block sounds. You can stand on the other side of the wall and very clearly hear voices coming through the sponge.

Blocking

Foam that blocks sound is usually found within the walls of the home itself. These sheets are usually very dense, which adds to the weight of the product, and their design makes it impossible for the walls to have any kind of physical connection with one another.

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand the difference between foam sheets used to block sound and sheets used for the purpose of absorbing sound, you should be able to make a more informed decision about refinishing your room.

Foam Factory, Inc., based in Southeast Michigan, sells sound proofing foam as well as a variety of polyurethane foam products. Order now for shipping across the United States and Canada.

Uncategorized

The True Flexibility of Acoustic Foam in a Home

April 28, 2016 by
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Many homeowners have to deal with large amounts of noise pollution in their neighborhood. Whether it’s the loud volume of movies or a dog continuously barking, it can get relatively frustrating. Sound vibrations tend to easily travel through walls without adequate noise suppression installed. In order to obstruct these sound waves, you can choose to control it through the use of acoustic foam. Here are some of the major advantages of using acoustic foam.

Sound Control

The major reason why homeowners install acoustic foam is to reduce the amount of noise pollution. But, rather than blocking sounds, acoustic foam actually works to remove echoes and background sounds. Essentially, they work to control the reverberation sounds of a room.

Substantial Quality Increase

Acoustic foam can also enhance the sound quality of a room if fixed in the right area. If placed in corners or wherever optimal sound mixes are needed, they can minimize echoes. Since most acoustic foam is cut into tiles with a wedge or pyramid type shape, they can perfectly fit around the house with ease.

Aesthetically-Pleasing

At-home music studios and work areas tend to utilize the properties of acoustic foam and acoustic foam panels for sound purposes. But, they can also improve the interior design of a room as well. There are numerous colors and textures of acoustic foam. By incorporating it into a room, you can add sophistication and elegance – while improving sound barriers at the same time.

Bio: Foam Factory, Inc. provides the finest sound proofing foam on the market at a competitive price. For more information visit them online today.

Music

Atlantic Records’ Soul Years

April 4, 2016 by

By Samuel Phineas Upham

Atlantic Records has a long and storied history based around two popular eras throughout its lifespan: the soul and rock eras respectively. Both Joe Morris and The Clovers were hit acts that kicked off Atlantic’s presence in the soul and rhythm and blues scenes. By the time the company acquired Stax Records, it had already signed and produced hits by the likes of Ray Charles, The Coasters and Bobby Darin.

It was Solomon Burke who really put Atlantic’s soul offerings on the map, kicking off an era of the 60s categorized by some of the most iconic artists in recording history. Dusty Springfield, Pink Floyd, Doris Troy, Aretha Franklin and more signed during this era.

Doris Troy began as a backup act to Dusty Springfield before launching her own recordings. Her song “Just One Look” has been covered by many artists throughout the history of music.

1967 was a new peak for the recording company. Aretha Franklin had risen to become “The Queen of Soul”, and she officially came on board in 1967. Aretha’s husband was rumored to have caused a great deal of tension during those recording sessions, but under the direction of Frank Wexler Franklin made a successful transition back to her roots in gospel. That year, she recorded “I Never Loved a Man,” “Respect”, Baby, I Love You”, “Chain of Fools” and “Since You’ve Been Gone” among others.

The company also signed Sonny & Cher, who would land on the Billboard Top 100 with “I Got You Babe,” a soulful single that would sell more than a million copies in the USA.

About the Author: Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Samuel Phineas Upham website or LinkedIn.

Home improvement

Foam: The Amazing Soundproofing Substance

March 3, 2016 by

Written by: The Foam Factory, Inc.

The Internet has made it easier than ever before to record and post your own music, voice over work or spoken word poetry online. All you need is a halfway decent microphone, and a soundproofed room. Most streamers and amateur artists lack the cash to rent studio space every time they have a new project, but with acoustic foam panels, you can soundproof a room and use it to record as needed.

Say you have an indoor space that is frequently noisy—maybe you’re lucky enough to have an incredible media room that houses a full-screen projector and a sound system perfectly calibrated to the entertainment you love, like Quentin Tarantino movies or the adrenaline pumping sounds of a Call of Duty match. Using sound-deadening foam is not only easy, but it could save you money that you’d otherwise spend fighting public disturbance citations in court. Simply line your room with these custom-cut foam panels to immediately reduce nearly all sound travelling through the walls and floors. Avoid glue, which can cause damage to the walls of your space, and use double-sided sticky tape instead.

There’s another benefit to using foam for your sound-insulating needs beyond just decibel dampening. Foam is great for outdoor use because it withstands weather exposure, which has an added benefit in your own home. Not only are you simply less likely to have mold or mildew creep into your walls, but if it should happen, sound-proofing foam can be easily cleaned, making your renovation project that much faster and cheaper.

Bio: Foam Factory, Inc. manufactures and ships bedding, packaging, acoustic foam and more from their factory in Southeast Michigan.