Sobrino de Botin Madrid Dec 2019

This suckling pig is excellent ; from the World's Oldest Restaurant according to Guiness Book of Records

This is a throwback memory of our annual holiday to Europe, most times in December for 2 weeks to 16 days. In December 2019, just before the COVID - 19 hit the world, my family and I (well, one son stayed back in Singapore) were very close to the first cluster COVID epicentre in Europe which was Northern Italy - we didnt know it then, but we were approximately 1 month early before COVID hit Europe with a full force.    

This post is a followup to my lovely meal just the last weekend, a belated Father's Day treat from my wife.  I was reminded of this meal in 2019, 2 and a half years ago !  The restaurant is called Sobrino de Botin and the address is as follows :

C.de Cuchilleros, 17

28005 Madrid,

Spain

Tel :+34 913 6642 17

https:www.botin.es

I do not remember much about the meal except that we had a wonderful suckling pig and that we dined at the basement of the Restaurant. We did a 'walk-in' upon opening (12 noon) so we only waited like 15 minutes before we were ushered to our table, which was a nice surprise. 

So many Suckling Pig Dishes all in preparation for the diners 

We had, amongst others, the salad, clams, suckling pig, and some paella (if I recall correctly)

I wont bore my readers with the details but the suckling pig was really outstanding. That and the fact that it is the world's oldest restaurant still in existence made this trip all the more worthwhile.

Obligatory selfie outside the restaurant 

 with my son Andrew, nice smiles all around 

Adam Road Nasi Lemak June 2023 Review ; Over rated, too sweet chilli sauce.

 

30th June 2023 My Order 

Sutra Set 

I decided to eat one of Singapore's national dishes, apart from the Chicken Rice, Prawn Laksa, Hokkien Mee, and Roti Prata. Nasi Lemak is famous the world over for its succulent and savoury rice infused in coconut and all the add ons.

So off I went, on a rainy Friday morning to Adam Road Hawker Centre. There were 6 people in front of me, as I queued at the No. 1 Adam Road Nasi Lemak. Their competitor, Selera Nasi Lemak was closed today.

My order was the Sutra Set, this costs $6 and comprised the following :

a) Lemak Rice

b) Chilli Sauce (a big dose)

c) Otak (Mackerel Spicy Fish Cake)

d) Peanuts and Fried Anchovies

e) Deep Fried Chicken

f) Omelette slice

g) Cucumber Slice.

The order was smooth and prompt and I quickly dove into the savoury fragrant rice. My verdict ?

Disappointing on several fronts.

 a) Lemak Rice - Ok. Pass

b) Chilli Sauce - too sweet and very spicy. I did not like it at all. Perhaps a Sambal one would have been a better combination with the rice. This is a big fail. 

c) Otak - not very fresh and hardly any meat. I have tried many far more succulent (banana smell from the wrap and the fish taste is there).Borderline  

d) Peanuts and Anchovies - OK, Acceptable.

e) Chicken - too dry and not juicy. Fail

f) Omelette slice - no impression

g) Cucumber slice - no impression.

The price of $6 while reasonable, did not live up to its billing as 'good'. It is barely acceptable.

Overall, it didn't live up to my expectation to what a good nasi lemak should be. There are 2 which I highly recommend which are better in my opinion.

a) Lee Wee and Brothers (Old Airport Road, and outlet at JEM Basement 1)

b) Drips (Tiong Poh Road in Tiong Bahru) 

which are much better in the meat, and omelette departments. Their rice is also very fragrant.

House Living ; Thursday 29th June 2023 Public Holiday

a Very Small but Tidy Garden

I've lived 70% of my life (baby,toddler, teen and adult) in landed property. I am indeed fortunate (especially in Singapore) to own a small piece of land with a house built on it, in the central part of Singapore. In many other countries in other parts of Asia, Europe and the world, people in cities normally live in apartment blocks (called condominiums) and / or public housing owing to the scarcity of land and the land prices. My parents used to own a large plot of land, and before their deaths, they subdivided the big plot into 2 and sold the 2 plots of land to my brother and I.

How is living on land compared to living in apartments ? Well I have lived a total of  46 years in landed property and additionally I have lived 14 years in 2 condominiums.

Here are the Pros of Living in Landed Homes and the Cons too. There is no one Perfect Solution except one which may be best suited depending on the age, gender and health of the person at each stage in Life.

Pros (Landed House)

1. The plot however small or large is yours to upkeep. You can make it beautiful or leave it to deteriorate, no one has any right to comment. Not like in a communal environment where your neighbours will complain if you grow your potted plants and leave your slippers and shoes (or worse) all over the place.

2. You have a lot of space for each person (generally speaking). So there is more privacy as space (we have almost 3500 ft2 of gross floor area over 4 floors) and this gives each person some 'living room'.This is in my own opinion, the best PLUS of living in a landed place, the ability to Live Large. "Lebensraum" is the best thing about living in landed property. 

3, Neighbours are not so close together (noise, smoke and general discomfiture amongst neightbours are there, they are rare, speaking from my own personal experience), so you DO get privacy - which is priceless in many of today's cramped up societies.

4. Parking (within your house boundary) is free and safe, so no worries about scratches or vandals scratching or doing other stuff to your precious car. 

 Street View 29th June 2023 4.05 pm

Cons (Landed House)

1. You have to handle all the problems and you cannot assign it to a Managing Agent or Common Property Managing Committee (like in Condos and HDB) to solve. Garbage disposal, Roof and Basement leaks (there are many and they are a pain - trust me) are plentiful. Light changes, inside the house and outside your house driveway, driveway tiles breaking,trees need pruning, wooden trellis worn out, basement leaks, garden and pool lights busted - the list is endless. Be prepared to have REGULAR maintenance and have a list of dependable handymen around else you have to live with the problems. I have tried to change the light bulbs rather unsuccessfully and do some pruning of the weeds, and thats about it as far as my poor handyman skills go.

Always set aside at least $1000 every month for maintenance if your house is more than 10 years old.

2. You will not be as close to your neighbours and will lack the 'gotong royong' or community spirit like in some HDB and condominium blocks.Our neighbours on both sides are foreigners, as the owners have rented out their houses and we hardly speak a couple of words except Hello and GoodBye every other week. This revolving door of tenants staying only 2 years makes the community spirit or bonds amongst the neighbourhood weak. I do personally know 3 to 4 families in our entire neighbourhood of perhaps 50 but that is a very small percentage in relation to the total. We have lived in this neighbourhood a total of 30 years over 2 distinct spells of time.

Perhaps it is my poor ability to interact frequently or its just that private landed owners normally keep to themselves and value privacy high amongst their value systems.

3. Walking up 3 flights of steps to reach your room - as I get older and weaker, this thought of wanting to stay in a small apartment seems more and more appealing. So, having more floors means more work and for older (young old) couples it will be a quandary and many decide to 'downgrade' by either selling, or renting the owned property and moving to a condominium or HDB apartment which is nearer to key amenities like wet market, supermarket, and clinics.

The house appears larger and more difficult to maintain as we grow older - that is a fact and a real disadvantage. My immediate neighbour installed a lift in his 3 story house, to prepare for the day, he is on a wheelchair. That is indeed forward looking.

My Little Piece of Heaven

What do I particularly like about my house ?

a) The little wooden trellis walkway with the Bamboo trees, the water feature, the couple of garden chairs and the wind occasionally billowing in the evening. I am like in heaven, in my little space and having a wine or a Tiger beer with some small snacks. Taking in the night sky with the vast starry expanse, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, I can pause and reflect on my day or my week just passed.

It is an intensely private and happy time for me, each and every time I sit there. I am happy in my own thoughts about what had transpired that day, as I reflect on things or incident that I could have been done better and just thinking about Life in general. 

My Own Quiet Space

b) Occasionally (like today) I trim the bamboo shoots which have gone awry and sweep the leaves from the frangipani tree. Listen to the bubbling of the water from the water feature behind me, I am at peace.

To me, that is the perfect antidote for a busy day, to sit in quiet solitude, just for a  

                                                                 while

                                                           Carpe Diem  

 

Fabulous Spanish Food at Dempsey Hill Tinto Main Courses 2nd of 2 Posts

 

Grilled Vegetables with Pesto Sauce 

The second of 2 posts of a truly unforgettable meal on 24th June 2023. Tinto is the name of this restaurant located in Dempsey Hill Block 10. The above dish is grilled vegetable with some pesto sauce. Yummy. The family and I lapped up every single morsel of it. It was that delicious.

Chicken and Pork Paella - Superb to Par Excellence

The paella is also superb, I am running out of superlatives and again the rice was fragrant, with my younger son Andrew scraping the edge of the pan to get every last morsel of this dish.

Roast Suckling Pig Leg Portion 

The last time we ate a Spanish suckling pig was at the Sorbino de Botin in Madrid in December 2019. This one at Tinto comes very close to the refinement and succulence of that unforgettable meal. The skin was crispy. Fortunately we ordered the leg or trotters portion, so there was much less fat.

Fruit Bowl with Brandy

The fruit bowl had a base covered in brandy and everything single piece of the bowl was infused with alcohol. One could easily fall in love with this dessert again and again each time he or she eats it.

 Churros 

I am willing to wager a meal that this restaurant will get at least 1 Michelin star(s) the next time the Michelin people are in town. So watch out for Tinto !

Tinto Spanish Restaurant

Block 10 Dempsey Road,

#01-21

Singapore 247700

Tel : 9729 5002

To book :

https://tinto.sg

Fabulous Spanish Food at Dempsey Hill - June 24th 2023 Post 1 of 2

Pulpo a La Brasa with Mojo Rojo

Grilled Octopus, Mojo Rojo Canario and Catalan Lentil Stew 9 / 10

At the quiet corner Block 10 of Dempsey Hill, Tinto Restaurant offers the finest in Catalonian cuisine. My family hosted this for the belated Father's Day celebrations which traditionally occurs every 2nd Sunday in June. All the dishes we tried were standout fantastic and really tasty. We (my wife, son and I) have been to Barcelona, Sevilla, Madrid and the Basque country in recent years (pre COVID) so we have tried their FINEST cuisines and I am most happy to report this ranks RIGHT AT THE TOP.  

First, off the cold soup (no pictures I am afraid). Gazpacho ($12) is made of cold tomato, Japanese cucumber, cherry tomatoes and raspberry tomatoes, it was so refreshing and a palette cleanser. 

We had 4 tapas and 3 main courses, with the obligatory paella. Pronounced 

"Pai Ei Ya". Here are the 4 tapas. Reviews.

Pulpo a La Brasa (above picture) 

The texture of the grilled octopus is perfect. The flavour is smooth with the right amount of Mojo Rojo Canario and Catalan Stew. The grilled bits are the octopus which have been sou vided for up to 4 hours to achieve this level of perfection. 9/10. 

Spanish Broken Omelette with Caramalised Onion and Garlic Oil 

10 / 10 

I am a 3 dish cook, mainly scrambled eggs, bruschette, some grilled steak and the ever pleasing omelette. The Spanish omelette above is par excellente, very fine texture and with the garlic chips, and herbs thrown in, is a simple yet exquisite tasting dish. 10 out of 10.  

 Gambas Al Ajillio 

10 / 10 

The prawns are lightly cooked pan fried, with some Roasted Garlic Oil, Dried Chilli and Garlic Chips.Really really tasty. There is light tomato puree beneath the prawns, and it tastes creamy and buttery. Heavenly to the taste buds. 10 / 10  

SangRia Every Man's favorite. 

8 / 10 

Frankly, the Sangria is not the best I have tasted, there are far better ones in Barcelona but the taste of the Vermouth is enough to bring memories of our last visit to Barcelona in 2016. 

The Best Tapas of all

Tosta Ramona with Anchovies and Burata Cheese 

11 / 10 

The best Tapas in my opinion is the Toasta Ramona with Anchovies and Burata Cheese. This is a unique cant beat the smoky flavor of the anchovies and the Burata cheese is simply out of this world creamy and with the slight tangy sourish flavour like yoghurt.  

 

Parc Guell 2016 

Bodega la Puntual 

Barcelona

The last time we were in Barcelona, I had numerous good experiences and one bad one. My handphone was stolen right under my nose. It was due to the fact that we were tourists, and tired from the long haul flights, that these petty thieves got away with my then brand new Samsung Note10.

That bad experience notwithstanding, my overall 5 days 4 nights stay was really outstanding with fantastic tapas (the one really good is called Bodega La Puntual near Bjorn suburb), the following really memorable sites :

a) La Familia Sagrada Church

b) Parc Guell

c) Montjuic

d) Waterfront

e) La Rambla

f)  Joao Miro Museum

One or a couple could spend a week just chilling and enjoying the vibes of this fantastic Catalonian city - just watch out for the omnipresent pickpockets !

Carpe Diem  

ASTM F1980 - 16 Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices ; Your Questions Answered Here

 

ASTM F1980 - 16 

Standard for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices

ASTM F1980 is a test standard titled, "Standard Guide for Accelerated Aging of Sterile Barrier Systems for Medical Devices" is a testing procedure that is used to help with the assessment of the sterile integrity of a package and product designed for medical use.

In order to validate a product and package's Sterile Barrier System (SBS) over the intended storage shelf life, accelerated aging is conducted to evaluate a package and product's long term usability and efficacy. ASTM F1980 is a specific accelerated aging test protocol set forth by ASTM International (American Standards for Test and Measurement International)

It is also advisable to benchmark the product with Shelf Life Test which is to keep the product at the ambient temperature and humidity conditions for the entire duration of the product's useful life.

ASTM F1980-21 replaced F1980-16 in December 2021. What changed?

The revisions' primary change recommends that the use of controlled humidity during accelerated aging be considered, findings documented, and used during testing if warranted. The need for controlled humidity should be based on the characterization data of materials used in the medical device, it's packaging, and the long-term storage use condition.

Purpose of ASTM F1980 

To function safely and effectively, medical devices must maintain their sterile integrity throughout their shelf-life. However, over time, the physical properties of the materials may degrade in certain environments and, as a result, may negatively impact the safety and efficacy of the product. Because they endure so many unique environments while being transported, used, and stored, medical devices must undergo shelf life testing in addition to sterile integrity testing. ASTM F1980 specifically evaluates the aging process of a product along with its package and how it impacts sterility and shelf-life. Accelerated aging tests simulate these conditions by exposing the materials to elevated temperatures for shorter periods of time to represent an equivalent real time shelf life duration. ASTM F1980 testing offers valuable safety and performance insights to manufacturers. With a greater understanding of the aging process on a product and its package system as the result of testing, manufacturers can make more informed decisions regarding the handling, storing, and use of the product. Additionally, precise aging tests achieved by tight temperature tolerances offer enhanced assurance among regulatory agencies and consumers.

 

QRA Lab 1 at 21 Toh Guan Road East,

04 - 02 Toh Guan Centre

Singapore 608586

Frequently Asked Questions :

What is the procedure for an accelerated aging test for medical devices?

In accelerated aging tests for medical devices, a material or Sterile Barrier System (SBS) is exposed to elevated temperatures for a condensed amount of time. By exposing the testing materials to more extreme conditions during a shorter time frame, researchers can evaluate how a product will age under normal conditions without waiting for the entire desired duration. Armed with this knowledge, manufacturers can determine shelf life, storage, in-use, and transportation parameters more accurately for their product.

Accelerated aging is a standard practice in the medical device industry for determining shelf life parameters by accelerating the effects of time on a Sterile Barrier System (SBS).

The accelerated aging process is based on the relationship between temperature and reaction rate, in which the reaction rate increases as the temperature rises. The Arrhenius Equation is the basic formula used for an accelerated aging test for medical devices is:

Accelerated Aging Time (AAT)= Desired Real Time (RT) divided by the Accelerated Aging

Factor (AAF)

ln summary

Every 10 C increase in ageing temperature shortens the AAT by half.

Therefore if you have a product whose expected shelf life is 3 years or 36 months, the device is expected to 'age' or experience :

>  for ambient storage 25 C ; keeping the product in a chamber at 35 C, the product is expected to 'age' in 18 months.

>   for ambient storage 25 C ; keeping the product in a chamber at 45 C, the product is expected to 'age' in 9 months.

>   for ambient storage 25 C ; keeping the product in a chamber at 55 C, the product is expected to 'age' in 4.5 months.

NOTES

The calculated AAT is typically rounded up to the nearest whole day.

QRA does not recommend aging packaging materials at temperatures exceeding +65°C. Common Accelerated Aging temperatures (TAA) are +50°C, +55°C, and +60°C.

Ambient temperature (TRT) is typically between +20°C to +30°C. A temperature of +25°C is a more conservative approach.

The aging factor is typically between 1.8 - 2.5 with a value of 2.0 being the most common accepted value.

To perform ASTM F1980 accelerated aging tests for medical devices, the laboratory facility must identify the Q10 value of the testing sample. The Q10 temperature coefficient is a measure of how quickly a material system changes when the temperature is increased by

+10 C.

QRA Lab 2 at 7 Perahu Road

Singapore 718 836

What are some of the parameters for ASTM F1980 testing?

ASTM International sets forth specific test parameters to ensure consistent testing across different lab facilities. The basic parameters for ASTM F1980 include the following:

1.    Accelerated Aging Temperature

2.    Humidity (F1980 - 21)

3.   The quantity of product testing samples

After the Accelerated Aging Tests, it is advisable to send your medical products to

a)    Peel Test

b)    Bubble (full immersion) Test

to determine the Confidence and Reliability Levels. QRA can advise you on these matters.

Arrhenius Equation ; What is it ? Why is it Useful ?

Using the Arrhenius Equation, the TRT should accurately reflect the actual product storage and in-use conditions, generally between 20°C and 30°C.

Accelerated aging temperature should be identified prior to testing. This is done by having in-depth knowledge of your materials, product, and packaging. It is not recommended to exceed +65 °C.

The need for controlled humidity during accelerated aging should be identified prior to testing; if materials are subject to moisture degradation, 45% - 55% RH is suggested. This input should be determined with your material providers' assistance.

A Q10 factor needs to be determined, which involves testing materials at various temperatures and defining the differences in reaction rate for a 10° change in temperature. A typical Q10 factor used during testing is 2.

Accelerated aging factor should be specified using the following equation:

AAF = Q10 (TAA-TRT)/10

QRA's sales professionals can walk you through your product ageing test needs. 

What is the best temperature to use for an ASTM F1980 test?

The ASTM F1980 standard suggests using an accelerated aging temperature below 60°C. Aging your product at a greater temperature provides the advantage of a faster simulation of the aging interval, but this comes with risks for particular products and packaging materials. Medical devices are often engineered with delicate materials that may drastically change when exposed to temperatures exceeding +60°C. Finding out if your medical product or device may be adversely affected by long periods of high heat or low humidity is a good place to start when choosing the best accelerated aging temperature. Westpak's experts can help you define the ideal temperature parameters for your products and packaging.

Common Accelerated Aging Temperatures: 50 C, 55 C, 57 C or 60 C

Does the F1980-21 version require using controlled humidity during accelerated aging?

In short, humidity is not a required element of accelerated aging. The recent version suggests that humidity conditions in the aging study be defined before starting aging studies. If RH will not be controlled, the rationale for exclusion should be documented.

What is the best humidity level to use for accelerated aging?

Humidity usage is dependent on the materials used in your product and packaging, how moisture impacts them, and other environmental factors. If humidity during accelerated aging is to be controlled, Westpak recommends conferring with our sales team to determine the RH level to be specified in the test plan. Also, as per F1980-21, the rationale for uncontrolled humidity should be documented.

How do you evaluate the ASTM F1980 test, post-aging?

After a testing sample has undergone the accelerated aging process, its physical properties and package integrity will be compared against various aging time points.

This includes as per ASTM F1886, 

1. Peel Testing

2. Bubble Test 

3. Dye Test

My products must comply with the new F1980-21 revision. What do you recommend?

Whether you have a released medical device or a new product in development, QRA sales experts can help. Our recommendations will be based on your company's unique product, expected shelf life and how much you value your brand.

Please contact : qrasales@qra.com.sg

                           www.qra.com.sg