Just In

        Another entry for the “What took them so long?” department: Heinz “Easy Squeeze” Ketchup Bottle. The new ergonomically designed plastic bottle, which hits the shelves nationwide this month, has the spout at the bottom, which theoretically means gravity has your ketchup always ready for squirting. And the Heinz folks promise no gunky dried ketchup buildup around the nozzle. Available in 20- and 32-ounce bottles for $1.59 and $2.39, respectively.

Market Scan

        Horseradish, also called German mustard, is native to Eastern Europe but is grown today in much of the world. Choose firm roots with no signs of blemishes or withering. Wrap horseradish in plastic and refrigerate. Peel and grate just before using. (Wear gloves and make sure room is well-ventilated.) Stir grated fresh horseradish into vinegar, beet juice or lemon juice to lock in heat.

Sip It

        Hopback Summer Lightning ($3/pint): Summer Lightning is a very pale extra special bitter-style beer with plenty of malty body, loads of hops and a dryish finish. A multiple award winning brew from Hopback Brewery, it's one of the most popular new micros in southern England.

— Ed Westemeier

Hot Date

        Celebrate America's largest native fruit at the fourth annual Pawpaw Festival 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday in Albany, Ohio (near Athens) with pawpaw cookoffs, eating competitions and pawpaw beer. (For novices, pawpaws are brown, banana-shaped fruit that grows wild east of the Mississippi.) Festival admission: $2 adults (children under 12 free). For information and directions: www.ohiopawpaw.org or (740) 698-2124.

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