What on earth is a dragonfruit, and do you want any in your rum? It is “an outlandishly flaming pink, spineless cactus fruit that looks like an artichoke from Mars.” This is according to David Karp, “The Fruit Detective.” Karp was very early in calling this still-budding trend. He is credited with familiarizing Americans with this fruit. Way back in 2002 he said “Improbably enough, it’s now the object of a mad scramble, one of the most colorful booms in California’s agricultural history, replete with paranoia and intrigue.” His article, in the Los Angeles Times, is so good, especially as compared to the other information readily available, that we will quote it at length. Karp explains:

The mango did it. The Meyer lemon did it. Over the years, many fruits have crossed the barrier from exotic rarity to become available to all of us. … Now there’s a new one poised to make the leap, and it’s safe to say it is the strangest one yet.

The texture of the flesh is similar to kiwifruit, though its subtle flavor and refreshing juiciness are really more reminiscent of watermelon. … “It’s so visually stunning that our customers are intrigued by it,” said Bill Yosses, pastry chef of Citarella restaurant in New York, who has...

Bob Skilnik has recently published a book entitled Does My Butt Look Big in this Beer? It shows the nutritional values for 2,000 beers, along the lines TTB may soon require on every alcohol beverage label. The book serves a valuable function by providing this information in the here and now, rather than waiting a few years for the rules to kick in. It provides a helpful glimpse of where things are headed. Skilnik has been following the beer business for many decades and has written several books on beer and nutrition. Skilnik says:

Whether brewers, vintners or distillers like it or not, the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), responsible for labeling requirements of alcoholic beverages, is close to making it mandatory for alcoholic beverages to list their nutritional values. … In the following pages, you’ll find nutritional information now that will help you to enjoy the moderate consumption of worldwide beer.

Skilnik has collected a lot of information and presented it clearly. The book provides an easy way to see, for example, that among about 100 listed Anheuser-Busch products, there is not a whole lot of variation in alcohol content or calories. The Bud Light Lime is way down around 3.1% alcohol by volume and 116 calories (per 12 ounces). And the Hurricane High...

Modern Spirits makes about nine “artisan vodkas.” They are based in Monrovia, California. We wanted to feature them because they tend to gravitate away from ordinary flavors and toward the unusual. Above is Vodka Infused with Oregon Black Truffle. And here is Celery Peppercorn. We don’t see any ordinary flavors in Modern’s portfolio of “sipping vodkas” which also includes these flavored vodkas:  Candied Ginger, Rose Petal, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Orange, Grapefruit Honey, Pear Lavender, Three Tea. But wait, there’s more. They also make “custom vodka” to your individual specifications, as part of their “Haute Custom Vodka” program. It works like this:

Haute is a new line of one-of-a-kind flavored spirits created by Modern Spirits for individual clients to match their unique passions, personalities and palates. Like custom perfume and couture clothing, Haute creations are designed exclusively for each client and are available for their sole purchase. … Upon receiving a commission, we follow a strict five-step process to produce each Haute creation … a personal interview to help us identify [the client’s] passions, personalities and palates. … We create up to three Haute samples that combine different base spirits and ingredients from around the world to fit each client’s flavor profile. … Submit the formula and labeling for government approval. … Create, bottle and package...