Food for Thought

Eat, Read, Die: Authors use food (sometimes even a topped chef) as a novel way to solve a crime

I read. A lot.

I used to go to the library once a week and get four or five books and haul at least one of them around with me at all times. Then I got a Kindle. It’s a lot easier to carry in your purse than a library book. Did you know that if your Kindle dies you just hold the on button in the on position for 50 seconds and the device will reboot? Really, this works. Trust me.

Anyway, I love to read food books, autobiographies, zombie tales…and mysteries. I have my favorite authors but I am amazed at all the genres out there. Talking dog mysteries, mystery books written by dogs — and cats — mysteries about people who solve puzzles and run crochet shops.

In particular there are dozens and dozens of series with a food theme, some even come with recipes.

And, of course, mysteries with culinary themes.

In particular there are dozens and dozens of series with a food theme, some even come with recipes. Mostly these are cozies, a cute little term that simply means the works are pretty much bloodless and sexless. Not that people aren’t murdered, but not violently and not in great details. It’s like watching a Hallmark movie.

So here’s some culinary cozies you might enjoy:

Ellery Adams writes the Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery series, about pastry chef and pie shop owner Ella Mae and her Jack Russell terrier who solve crimes while baking magical pies. It’s a little far fetched, but cute. And the titles are maybe the best part: Pies and Prejudice, Peach Pies and Alibis and Pecan Pies and Homicides.

And yes, the pie recipes are included.

Lucy Burdette writes the new Key West Food Critic series. This is one of my favorites as I love to eat out and she bases all the restaurants and their food in the series on real Key West restaurants. Hayley Snow is the restaurant critic for the Lifestyle magazine Key Zest. In the debut novel, Topped Chef, Snow herself is accused of murder and has to solve the crime to clear her name.

For oenophiles there’s Ellen Crosby’s Wine Country mystery series. Set in the lush Virginia wine and horse country, vineyard owner Lucie Montgomery solves murders while sipping Merlot.

There are mystery series about coffee shop and tea shop owners who sleuth, series with a White House chef, a supper club and a cooking class. The most popular ones deal with sweets and baked goods and the oddest one is set in an Amish bed and breakfast and includes Mennonite recipes the heroine cooks up. I could not make this stuff up.

Of course, sometimes I like something a little less cozy. That’s when I check out the latest Patricia Cornwell. Her medical examiner, Kay Scarpetta, is as good in the kitchen as she is in the autopsy room and although there are ample, well-written food scenes in the book there are no recipes. But Cornwell takes care of her fans. She’s written two Scarpetta cookbooks.

So, bon appétit and good luck solving the murders!

Ellery Adams writes the Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery series with great titles like Pecan Pies and Homicides.

Pecan Pies and Homicides food book by Ellery Adams

Amazon.com

Ellery Adams writes the Charmed Pie Shoppe mystery series with great titles like Pecan Pies and Homicides.

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water, water everywhere

The quest for a Topo Chico replacement — we rate 9 sparkling waters

Photo by Eric Sandler

We purchased sparkling water at five stores across the inner loop.

Topo Chico drinkers nationwide are in a bit of a tizzy. Coca-Cola, which acquired the cult-favorite sparkling mineral water in 2017, announced that the product will be unavailable for at least the next few months.

CNN reports the shortage is due to “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico.”

“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola said in a letter to CNN.

For Topo Chico fans, the shortage brings an obvious question. What should a person drink until the supply is restored? Or, what’s a permanent replacement that will avoid this issue altogether?

After collecting suggestions from people via Instagram, I went to Spec’s and inner loop grocery stores to purchase nine varieties of sparkling water with one goal in mind — find something that’s similar enough to Topo Chico that it will earn a spot in my refrigerator.

In the interests of science, I only included sparkling water brands that are similar in size (approximately 12-ounce bottles) and price (between $1 and $1.50 per bottle). Whenever possible, I purchased glass bottles instead of cans or plastic. Although many are available in flavors, I only purchased unflavored waters. All waters were chilled overnight in a refrigerator prior to tasting.

Sparkling water taste test Each water was chilled overnight prior to tasting.Photo by Eric Sandler

Not surprisingly, my top three choices came down to two other Mexican sparkling waters and a convincing dupe from H-E-B.

Most Similar to Topo Chico

Agua de Piedra
Purchased from Spec’s (can also be found at La Michocana), this water from Nuevo Leon, Mexico can be found at several restaurants and coffee shops around town. It offers both strong carbonation and just enough saltiness to satisfy a Topo craving. As long as I can source it reliably, this will be my new house water.

Mineragua
Available at both Whole Foods Market and H-E-B, this water from Jarritos is almost as carbonated as Topo Chico. Its flavor profile is salty with a slight, citrus-style acidity. I prefer the flavor of Agua de Piedra, but others may like this more.

1877 Mineral Water by H-E-B
H-E-B’s house brand sparkling mineral water is sourced from Texas, in Mineral Wells. It has carbonation that persists from opening until finishing. Its slightly salty flavor will be welcomed by Topo Chico drinkers. Overall, it’s probably the best choice for more people, since it’s so readily available.

Less Like Topo, but Still Tasty

Rambler Sparkling Water
This mineral water from Austin is available everywhere, including many restaurants and bars. Since it's only available in cans, its more mild carbonation doesn’t match Topo Chico’s; however, it has a lightly salty taste that makes it very refreshing. This is a good option for those who find Topo to be too fizzy.

Tehuacan
Purchased at Central Market, this water is sourced from springs within Citlaltépetl, Mexico’s highest mountain. The mountain’s volcanic rock gives the water a noticeable saltiness with a slightly sour taste. Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, its strong carbonation and distinct flavor could appeal to other Topo devotees.

Private Selection Sparkling Mineral Water
Available at Kroger, this water is neither as carbonated nor as salty as Topo Chico. Still, it has enough fizz and minerality to do in a pinch, particularly for people who prefer shopping at Kroger over other grocery stores.

Your Mileage May Vary

Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater
Admittedly, a non-mineral water was unlikely to emerge as a favorite in this taste test. Since it’s made with filtered rainwater, Richard’s has a very clean taste and a mild level of carbonation.

Saratoga Carbonated Spring Water
Like Richard’s, this water is too lightly carbonated and too mildly flavored to satisfy a Topo craving. Still, it’s clean and refreshing, which could appeal to non-Topo drinkers.

I’ve Had Better

Liquid Death Mountain Water (Sparkling)
Bland and flat-tasting, this water was the only one I wouldn’t purchase again. Maybe the flavored versions are better.

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