©iStockphoto.com/spinetta In New Hampshire, the discarded shells from cocoa beans used to make chocolate for Lindt Lindor truffles may soon be used to create electricity. Engineers at Public Service of New Hampshire, the state's largest electric utility, began testing the husks earlier this month, the Economist reported: The shells, which have a thermal value similar to that of wood, will be mixed with the coal in a 1-to-33 ratio. An important part of the test was to see whether the power company’s coal-grinding machinery could also grind cocoa-bean shells to the required talcum-like powdery fineness; the machinery performed admirably. Unfortunately, there were no large-scale enticing food smells associated with the test. [via teenagefoodie]...
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Every city has its local institutions—and small New England cities tend to be particularly devoted to their own. But hometown pride only partly explains the wild popularity of The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. There’s the décor: the bright red walls of this kitsched-out eatery are a veritable gallery of mid-century Americana, with plastic sculptures of Dick and Jane perched over the open kitchen, “Enjoy Life With Miller!” signs, and KFC-brand shades on the hanging lights. There’s the late-night schedule: open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, but 24 hours all weekend, never shutting its doors from Friday morning through Sunday night. And then there’s the food. The Friendly Toast serves the most eclectic array...
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