Cocktail Science

The science behind your cocktails: Polarity and Proof

The science behind your cocktails: Polarity and...

Polarity is a measure of how strongly molecules are attracted to one another. Different solvents like water, alcohol, and oil have different polarity and can dissolve different flavor compounds from...

The science behind your cocktails: Polarity and...

Polarity is a measure of how strongly molecules are attracted to one another. Different solvents like water, alcohol, and oil have different polarity and can dissolve different flavor compounds from...

Who was Ira Remsen?

Who was Ira Remsen?

Ira Remsen grew up in New York and graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians before going to Germany to study chemistry.  During his years in Germany, he learned...

Who was Ira Remsen?

Ira Remsen grew up in New York and graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians before going to Germany to study chemistry.  During his years in Germany, he learned...

Use and care of reagent bottles

Use and care of reagent bottles

General use, care, and how to open a stuck stopper. Many of our kits include reagent bottles for steeping and storing bitters. This type of bottle has been used to...

Use and care of reagent bottles

General use, care, and how to open a stuck stopper. Many of our kits include reagent bottles for steeping and storing bitters. This type of bottle has been used to...

The Shelf Life of Spices

The Shelf Life of Spices

I am often asked how long will our spices last and it varies from a few months to several years.  The shelf life of spices is determined by four main...

The Shelf Life of Spices

I am often asked how long will our spices last and it varies from a few months to several years.  The shelf life of spices is determined by four main...

The History of Spices

The History of Spices

Today we take many spices for granted: pepper shakers on every table, that dusty bottle of cloves you pull out at Christmas, a splash of vanilla in everything from cookies...

The History of Spices

Today we take many spices for granted: pepper shakers on every table, that dusty bottle of cloves you pull out at Christmas, a splash of vanilla in everything from cookies...

Cinchonism: too much of a good thing

Cinchonism: too much of a good thing

The primary active compound in Cinchona bark is quinine, an alkaloid that treats and prevents malaria infections.  While cinchona extract and purified quinine are safe for adults in low doses,...

Cinchonism: too much of a good thing

The primary active compound in Cinchona bark is quinine, an alkaloid that treats and prevents malaria infections.  While cinchona extract and purified quinine are safe for adults in low doses,...