NATIONAL CHAI DAY

On September 21st, the aroma filling the room comes from ancient spices, perfectly steeped into a cup of delicious tea. National Chai Day celebrates the strong, satisfying tea that is ordered at cafes across the country.

While the Indian beverage dates back nearly 5,000 years, the chai served in homes and coffee shops today comes in many forms. For traditional chai, steep it with black tea leaves. Add whole milk for the richest flavor. Some even prefer almond or coconut milk. The most common spice in chai is cardamom. Though blends will vary from place to place, other spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and fennel. Finally, sweeten the tea with pure sugar.

This time of year, we can’t resist the creamy, sweet combination, either! So, wrap your hands around a warm cup and let the aromatic steam permeate your senses. One sip will tell you how enjoyable National Chai Day is going to be!

NATIONAL CHAI DAY HISTORY

SomruS founded National Chai Day on September 21, 2018, to celebrate the flavorful drink spreading its leaves across the country by the cupful.

ABOUT SOMRUS

SomruS is the World’s First Line of Indian Liqueurs. Our flagship product, SomruS Original, is an artisanal Chai liqueur made with cardamom and other eastern spices, nuts, real Wisconsin dairy and Caribbean Rum. Created by an Indian American couple in their kitchen in Burr Ridge, IL just 4 years ago, SomruS Original Indian Cream Liqueur is now the most awarded cream liqueur on the planet (www.proof66.com). SomruS is the first liqueur that can be used to create authentic chai adult beverages from a Chaitini to a Hard Chai to a Hot Chai Latte. Our liqueur is next generation in terms of quality and is low ABV and gluten-free with no preservatives or artificial flavors.

TAZO Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Tea Concentrate, 32 oz

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHAI DAY

Visit a local tea shop or cafe and order a cup of chai. Choose from a variety of blends. While chai is customarily steeped with black tea, green chai is available, too. Try both! Introduce a friend to the love of chai, too! When you do, give a shout out to your favorite cafe. Take a selfie as you enjoy and use #NationalChaiDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL NOUGAT DAY

National Nougat Day on March 26th celebrates a soft and chewy or sometimes hard and crunchy candy often found at the center of a candy bar. 

Made by whipping egg whites together and adding honey or sugar, roasted nuts, and sometimes candied fruit, some say nougat has been a sweet treat since ancient Rome. Enjoyed both as a candy all on its own or paired with chocolate or other flavorings.

Recipes range from the more traditional nougat made with almonds and honey to those with hints of citrus.In Italy, they call it torrone. In Spain, a nougat is called turrón. The United States has a version made with corn syrup called divinity.

Three basic kinds of nougats include:

1.     White nougat – made with beaten egg whites and honey.
2.     Brown nougat – made without egg whites and has a firmer, often crunchy texture.
3.     Viennese or German nougat – chocolate and nut praline

In the United States, modern candy bar makers use a different recipe than the traditional nougat. Today they make of a mixture of sucrose and corn syrup aerated with a whipping agent such as egg white or hydrolyzed soy protein or gelatin. It is the preferred and often used ingredient of large candy companies because it is inexpensive to make and used as a filler.

Varieties of nougat are found in:
3 Musketeers, Mars, Snickers, Milky Way, Zero, Salted Nut Rolls, Payday, Reese’s Fast Break, Baby Ruth, and others.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalNougatDay

This holiday offers an opportunity to become a nougat aficionado. Or perhaps try learning the nuances of nougat. No matter how you spend the day, be sure to get a sample or two. Whether it’s a big bite or small, enjoy some nougats. Be sure to share a piece, too! Use #NationalNougatDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PEPPERMINT PATTY DAY

National Peppermint Patty Day recognizes a treat enjoyed by millions around the world. On February 11th each year, sink your teeth into the minty chocolate sweet. 

The oldest commercially-made mint patty or cake was made by the Quiggin’s family on the Isle of Man (an island located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea). They had been making the cakes since 1840, but in 1880, four of the sons formed the Kendal Mint Cake Company.

In the United States, as early as 1900, peppermint patties were made by regional confectioneries. Companies such as Idaho Candy Company, Trudeau Candie’s, and Pearson’s (which purchased Trudeau in 1951, both were Minnesota companies). Possibly the most known, though not the oldest, York Peppermint Patties were made by the York Cone Company of Pennsylvania.

York Peppermint Patties were first made in 1940 and distributed regionally, much like other candy makers of the era. York dominated the market because of its firmness and crispness while the others were soft. A former York employee remembered that the final (sample) test of the patty before it left the factory was called a “snap test.” If the candy did not break clean in the middle, it did not make it onto candy store shelves.

In 1975 the company was acquired by Peter Paul Cadbury.  Cadbury moved the factory to Reading, Pennsylvania, much to the distress of workers and residents of York. The company then distributed the popular treat across the country.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PeppermintPattyDay

Recipes abound for peppermint patties. However, the bakers also like to incorporate the flavor of peppermint patties into their baked goods. So, be sure to test out these recipes in your kitchen to celebrate. For example, we found Peppermint Patty CakePeppermint Patty Brownies, and Peppermint Pattie Cookies recipes. Other ways to celebrate include:

  • Create a festive treat from peppermint patties to perk up a friend or family member. A fresh bouquet of these minty treats would be a delightful surprise!
  • Mix up a minty peppermint patty milkshake for a chilling change. 
  • Add a bit of peppermint kick to your mocha to celebrate the day! Whether you use a syrup, add a peppermint stick or order it from a local coffee shop, you won’t go wrong. 

Be sure to use #PeppermintPattyDay to share on social media. 

NATIONAL PEANUT BRITTLE DAY

National Peanut Brittle Day is observed on January 26th. A hard, flat candy confection, peanut brittle is enjoyed throughout the United States.

Peanut Brittle includes caramelized sugar or corn syrup. Nuts are added to the molten sugar and then poured onto a flat surface such as granite or marble and smoothed into a thin sheet. The candy cools into a hard, brittle treat that is broken into smaller pieces. Some of the best brittles are hand-stretched into a thin, easily cracked candy that melts in the mouth.

The history of peanut brittle is uncertain, though one legend says it was all a mistake. The story goes that a southern woman was making taffy and instead of using cream of tartar, she used baking soda by accident.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PeanutBrittleDay

Make up a batch of peanut brittle to share with that person you just know loves it. Since the candy keeps well, give it as a gift. You might also teach someone to make your favorite recipe, passing on the tradition.

Use #PeanutBrittleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL BUTTERCRUNCH DAY

National Buttercrunch Day on January 20th recognizes the flavorful toffee candy that comes in several varieties.

Buttercrunch is a combination of toffee, covered with chocolate. It has a crunchy texture and a caramel flavor. Variations on the recipe include toasted almond sprinkles.

Making buttercrunch calls for a good candy thermometer and some cooking experience. Creating the toffee involves caramelizing sugar at high temperatures, which requires precision, timing, and the right tools and safety techniques for a successful outcome. Follow recipes closely. The stage the sugar is supposed to reach (usually hard-crack stage) will determine when you remove the sugar from the heat. You also have to move quickly and safely. Sugar burns at 300° + degrees leave blisters and scars. 

When you’ve mastered candy-making skills, the results are delicious and definitely worth sharing. Buttercrunch and other candy treats make terrific gifts during the holidays and throughout the year. It also stores well for a time. Keep it to serve over ice cream or add as a garnish to cakes and cookies. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalButtercrunchDay

On January 20th, make up some buttercrunch to share with your friends and family. Sprinkle some over your favorite desserts, or look for a buttercrunch flavored creamer for your morning coffee. Mmm! We bet you can taste it now! We even have a buttercrunch recipe for you to try. Who makes your favorite buttercrunch?

Use #NationalButtercrunchDay to post on social media.