THE HYGGE TIMES Monthly Nordic Word: Skyr By Brant Wall
Skyr (pronounced ‘skeer’) is an Icelandic cultured dairy product, resembling traditional strained yoghurt but with a much higher protein content, less sugar and a milder taste than the yoghurts we are used to today in the USA. It has been a part of Icelandic cuisine for over 1,000 years and, thanks to Icelandic exploer Leif Erikson, it is North America’s original yoghurt!
May is for Mothers By Brant Wall
Here in the United States, we have celebrated Mother’s Day since the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the holiday is celebrated by more than forty nations all over the world and at various times! With our New York Nordic lense, it is interesting to see that the USA, Iceland, Denmark, and Finland celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14, while in Sweden the mothers prefer things a little warmer and hold off until Sunday, May 28 to celebrate their day.
A Day in the Life of Omar Maagaard By Donna Lee
If you haven’t had the chance to meet him yet, Omar Maagaard is the lead roaster and barista for the coffee branch of MeyersUSA, Brownsville Roasters. As of now Omar is roasting out of Pulley Collective in Redhook, until we get our own roasting facility in Brownsville. Omar is at the roastery weekly, working with a slow, Scandinavian roast, designed to extract as much flavor-potential from the beans as possible. This slow roast is so necessary to Omar’s craft that, when asked what his favorite coffee beverage is, he’ll say a black coffee because black coffees carry the subtle tastes of the farm from where the beans come. When not working at his craft at the roastery, Omar can be found at one of the MeyersUSA’s restaurants, sipping the coffee he himself roasted for the week, ensuring the quality of the Scandinavian roasting techniques. Omar’s love of coffee is clear when you hear him speaking about coffee, production, roasting, and the art of being a barista. If you have any questions about Scandinavian coffees, coffee farming practices or Brownsville Roasters, come say ‘Hi’ to Omar!
Quote: Susan J. Bissonette By Brant Wall
“An optimist is the human personification of spring.”
May 2017 Edition
Agern Update
By Ashley Sinon
As members of the MeyersUSA family it is likely you’ve heard about the flooding at Agern last month, a truly unforeseeable predicament emanating from a construction snafu upstairs. While the flood itself was disastrously inopportune and has forced Agern to temporarily shudder its doors the damage may have been worse if not for the staff, who scrambled to save their restaurant from sinking in the middle of a train station. Yet what happened next is even more remarkable than an impromptu spring shower, its the dedication of a management team to their employees.
With many people suddenly finding themselves without a source of income, Agern’s managers sent out informative and positive emails on a daily basis. Boundless support shone through these communications; alternate work opportunities, including positions at other MeyersUSA properties, stages at wineries, and even supplemental income. (continued on Page 2)