Showing posts with label food history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food history. Show all posts

Thursday, August 7, 2025

The Cultural Mystery and Charm of Chinese Fortune Cookies

The Chinese Fortune Cookie.
~ How did it come to US?
~ By way of legend, history, tradition?
~ Is it Chinese or American?

What If It All Works Out ?Fortune Cookie


Whether the tradition is Chinese or American, the fact is we can all write our own fortunes, AND we can make our own fortune cookies and enhance this wonderful tradition by adding our own personal touch.

The next time you have a party, consider giving out homemade fortune cookies as party favors. Your guests will love them! This Sunbeam kitchen accessory is easy to use and easy to clean. It comes with a fortune cookie recipe, makes two cookies at a time, and translates into family fun because adults and children can participate in the fortune cookie adventure!

Need a sample fortune to place inside your cookie? Use this one my daughter wrote for me. I’m sure it’s a prediction that can be applied to almost everybody!
  • You are not afraid of what the future has in store for you. Go forth!
If you have time, check out these FUN GIFT IDEAS.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Spice Spotlight: Saffron, Cardamon, Curry and Turmeric

The spice trails taken by the Europeans can be traced backward from India to Arabia (formerly Asia Minor) to Africa to Egypt and all the way to the ancient Greco-Roman world. Wars were fought over precious spices and in the end … we all won! Because the end result of the wars and the global spice trade is that these days, exotic spices are readily available, either via online shopping or maybe even at your local grocery store. 

If you would like to learn about the history of spices, here are a couple of links of interest.




India is not the only country that supplies herbs and spices to Europe and the USA, however, these days, it is a major exporter. The spices which were introduced to the West by way of India include, but are not limited to, cardamom, cassia, ginger, tamarind, curry, and turmeric.

Cardamon is referred to as the "queen of spices".
Do you know which spice is called the “king of spices”? Saffron!
(Although some say it's black pepper. Not me! I'm in the saffron camp.)

The origins of saffron may be disputed. (History of Saffron.) But not its flavor, health benefits, or its recognition as the most valuable spice in the world.



Were I to recommend four (4) spices to turn my mundane everyday meals into extraordinary-everyday dining experiences, it would be:

  1. saffron
  2. cardamon
  3. curry, and 
  4. turmeric.


If I were thinking of a gourmet food gift for an aspiring chef or a friend or relative who wants to improve their cooking skills, it would be one or more of these delightful spices.




Related Links of Interest:
♦ Cardamom-And-Coriander-And-Turmeric Recipes
♦ 15 Recipes that Prove Cardamom Makes Everything Taste Better Recipe
♦ 20 Tasty Turmeric Recipes - Easy Ways to Cook with Turmeric
♦ Foodie Friday : Spice Spotlight: Cinnamon


Source: Previously published on  Webnuggetz.com

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Green Leafy Herbs are the Unsung Heroes

Green leafy herbs are the unsung heroes of both the kitchen and the apothecary. They’re not just flavor boosters—they’re cultural symbols, medicinal allies, and botanical marvels.  🌿 


🧄 Culinary Staples

These herbs are prized for their fresh, aromatic leaves and are often used raw or lightly cooked to preserve their flavor and nutrients.


🌱 Medicinal & Cultural Significance


🧪 Fresh vs. Dried

  • Fresh herbs (aka “green herbs”) retain vibrant color and volatile oils—ideal for garnishes and quick-cook dishes.

  • Dried herbs have concentrated flavors and longer shelf lives—better for slow-cooked meals.


🍽️ Pro Tips for Use


EXTRA RESEARCH.

(I watch a lot of Korean dramas, and I'm always drooling over the food.  LOL.)

🍲 Korean Culinary Traditions

Many of the herbs on your page play key roles in Korean cooking, often with layered meanings:

  • Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip) – Aromatic and slightly bitter, these are often eaten pickled or used as wraps. Their distinct flavor and versatility earn them a place in banchan spreads.
  • Garlic Chives (Buchu) – Stir-fried, added to pancakes, or tucked into dumplings, their pungency boosts richness in humble home-style dishes.
  • Mint – Known as "bang-ah" in Korean, mint isn’t as common in savory dishes but features in herbal teas that promote digestion and refreshment.
  • Mugwort (Ssuk) – Used in rice cakes like ssuk tteok and soups, mugwort lends an earthy flavor and is tied to spring rituals and cleansing traditions.

🌿 Historical and Medicinal Roles

Korean traditional medicine (Hanbang) reflects centuries of botanical wisdom:

  • Thyme and Sage – While not native to Korea, similar aromatic herbs have been used in teas and topical remedies for respiratory or skin-related ailments.
  • Mugwort (Ssuk) – Considered a sacred herb, used for everything from digestive tonics to women’s health treatments. It’s burned in cleansing rituals, much like sage in other cultures.
  • Perilla Seeds – Ground into pastes or oils, they're thought to support heart health and boost immune function.

♦♦♦♦

NOTE: This content is AI-generated.  Just testing. 😀👍

Monday, July 7, 2025

World Cuisine: Food History: Cuban Sandwich

Most people, most people in or from South Florida, have heard of Little Havana, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida, built up by Cuban immigrants who fled Cuba when Fidel Castro came to power. Everybody knows this is the place to go to partake of authentic Cuban cuisine. However, did you know that the oldest Cuban sandwich shop which opened its doors in 1947, is not located in Miami? The famous Silver Ring Cafe is in Tampa, Florida.




That was news to me. Also learned something else new. Very familiar with the Sandwich Cubano (Cuban sandwich) and Media Noche Sandwich (Midnight Sandwich); but did you know there are several variations of this sandwich? No doubt they’re all delicious! There is a third one called Elena Ruz (Cuban Turkey Sandwich). It has guava jelly as one of the ingredients. If you’ve never tried Cuban food, you must try the Cuban Sandwich. Even the world-famous chef, Bobby Flay has his own variation.

Eating food is one of life’s greatest joys. 
But learning food history is also great fun too!


References:

Internetwriter62. "The Art of the Cuban Sandwich." HUBPages.com. HUBPages Inc., 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2017. 

Bobby Flay Goes Cuban.” CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 1 Feb. 2007. Web. 27 Mar. 2015.  (Video.) 

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Stock Your Kitchen Cabinet or Pantry with Exotic Spices

On September 20, 1519, Portuguese navigator, Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1489-1521), set sail from Spain on a mission to find a western route to the Spice Islands. He reached the coast of South America and then navigated the strait linking the Atlantic and the Pacific which now bears his name, the Strait of Magellan. He crossed the Pacific to the Philippines in1521, where he was killed in a battle with the natives. Juan Sebastian del Cano (c. 1460-1526), a Spanish navigator, stepped into the shoes of Commander after Magellan’s death and returned to Spain in 1522. Three of the five ships Magellan led on the expedition did return to Europe. But what became of the Spice Islands?



The year is 1945 and Indonesia has been proclaimed as a republic. The islands formerly known as the Spice Islands are known today as the Moluccan Islands. No doubt discovering these islands was quite an adventure for the explorers, but these days it is very easy to go on an exotic spice adventure and never leave your kitchen.

Just follow these spice trails:
- Allspice from Jamaica; an essential ingredient in Caribbean cuisine.
- Sweet and aromatic Turkish spices like Anise Seed.
- Organic Mace and Cinnamon sticks from Indonesia.
- Cloves originating from Madagascar.
- Rosemary originating from Spain.
- Herbs such as Dill Weed and Cilantro from Israel.
- Cardamon from Guatemala.
- Nutmeg from the East Indies. (Whole Nutmeg)
- Juniper Berries from Yugoslavia.
- Herbs and spices from India like Fennel, Ginger and Turmeric.
- Tellicherry peppercorns, the fruits of the Brazilian pepper tree.
- Commonly used herbs from France ~ Lavender, Tarragon, and Thyme.
- Brown and Yellow Mustard Seed from Canada.
- Garlic and Basil grown in California, USA.
- Rubbed Sage, an Albanian herb.
- Savory, a dried herb used Central European kitchens.
- Oregano from Greece.
- Caraway Seeds from Holland.
- Hungarian Paprika
- Egyptian Marjoram.


Related Links of Interest
♦ 10 Essential International Spices For Any Kitchen
♦ Top 12 Must-Have Herbs To Grow In Your Kitchen Garden
♦ 5 Best Spices Burn Fat

♦ 3 Spices That Hold the Secrets of Longevity Per Mao Shing Ni (Dr. Mao)
♦ 10 Best Spices For Healthy Cooking by Matthew Kaplan
♦ 5 Exotic Spices From Around the World by Melisa Marzett

Stock Your Kitchen Cabinet with Exotic Spices

Thursday, June 5, 2025

If you are learning to cook, do you know your caviar?

So tell me. What do you know about caviar? Well? In the old movies I like to watch, people usually always have champagne and caviar. Caviar looks like little small beads and comes in different colors. And uumm … only rich people eat caviar because it's really expensive! But if you search online, you can find quality but inexpensive caviar that you can give as a gift. 

Uh huh.  You know as much about caviar as me.  Cool!  We can learn together.  ☺

Like most foods that we enjoy today, caviar has ancient origins. Of course, the Persians and the Greeks enjoyed sturgeon roe. The word "caviar" comes from the Persian word "khavyar", which means "egg-bearing". And of course, Caviar was once considered a royal delicacy, i.e. food only eaten by the royals and the elites, who had wealth and status. But these days, ANYBODY can order caviar online or shop for it at their local grocery store (it's available at my local grocery stores)


FUN FACTS FOR FOODIES:

Persians created what we now recognize as caviar. They were the first to cure sturgeon roe and also introduced the practice of salting the roe to preserve it.

The Caspian Sea region (Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan) is known for producing some of the finest caviar (Beluga and Kaluga caviar and other type of caviar). Even today it is home to 90% of the world's caviar. Since this area borders Russia, no surprise it became popular in Russia, where it was a staple at royal feasts and banquets.

In the 19th Century, in the USA, sturgeon was abundant in American waters, especially in the rivers and lakes of the Midwest and East Coast. Would you believe that caviar was often served as a free appetizer in saloons and bars? Supposedly its salty flavor encouraged the customers to drink alcohol. A German immigrant named Henry Schacht get credit for making the United States a major exporter of caviar. He started a business in 1873 exporting caviar to Europe. Would you also believe a lot of that caviar shipped to Europe is then re-imported to the U.S. labeled as "Russian caviar"? (Unfreaking believable!)

At any rate, high demand resulted in an environmental impact: overfishing caused sturgeon numbers dwindled, the price of caviar skyrocketed, and it's back to being a luxury item again.

To help meet the demand AND preserve wild sturgeon populations, alternative sources of roe are being used: salmon, lumpfish, and whitefish. In addition, caviar is produced using sustainable aquaculture practices.

Even so, don't even dream about caviar going back to being an available free bar snack. It is a luxury delicacy, enjoyed by people around the world, and can be easily purchased if you know where to shop or buy.

Caviar has a rich history going from ancient delicacy to modern luxury food, with ongoing efforts to balance demand with conservation. 

REFERENCES:

Caviar Origin: The History of Caviar.” Imperia Caviar, 18 Aug. 2022, https://imperiacaviar.com/blogs/blog/caviar-origin-the-history-of-caviar.


Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. “What You Didn’t Know About The Quirky History Of Caviar.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Aug. 2006, https://www.thespruceeats.com/history-of-caviar-as-food-1807579.


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Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Celebrating International Tea Day! (Round-Up)

Today is May 21st, and tea lovers around the world are celebrating. 

Even though I am a loyal coffee lover, tea holds a special place in my heart because of my big sister. He made the tea in the world. Iced tea or hot tea, whenever we spent time together, tea was her drink of choice. I was so happy to be spending time with her, I drank the tea any way she served it – hot or cold. My tea memories are under “precious moments in life to appreciate FOREVER!”.

art of tea

Image credit

Tea has a rich history, cultural significance, and there are countless varieties or flavors. I used to think there was only one flavor, i.e., black tea. Later on in my adult life, I discovered all kinds of herbal teas. My Chinese friend often drank rice tea. My daughters drink everything from chamomile to matcha to … the list is too long!

At any rate, this blog post is a round-up of my various posts about tea.  You probably think: 'For a person who loves coffee, you're sure do talk a lot about tea.'  All I can say is"Yeah! I do!" (O.o)


Enjoy International Tea Day! 🍵✨.

Sip a cup solo or share a pot with friends!

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BLOG POSTS ROUND-UP:

Food and Drink History : The Evolution of Tea 

My Favorite Two (2) Fruit Teas: Cranberry and Black Cherry 

Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea? 

First Food and Drink Experiences: Chai Tea 

Four (4) Medicinal Flowers and Plants (to make tea) 


5 Unique Caribbean Teas and Herbal Benefits (Guest Post)

Food and Drink History Lesson: English Tea (Guest Post) 



Thursday, May 8, 2025

My Favorite Two (2) Fruit Teas: Cranberry and Black Cherry

According to available information, tea was discovered accidentally. It seems that some guy in China was preparing a meal and had a pot of water boiling. It was a windy day, and leaves were blown into the pot of hot water. To the cook’s surprise, the water turned into an amazing drink. That’s how brewing tea began. The versions of this story or legend vary, but it sounds believable to me. Weren’t many of the wonderful things we enjoy in life discovered accidentally?  Everybody knows tea is delicious and has great medicinal value. I want to talk about two of my favorite fruit-flavored teas: cranberry and black cherry.


AI_Generated Art Created With DreamUp, a free tool

Why cranberry tea?

A nurse once told me cranberry juice would restore the vitamins and minerals I had lost during childbirth. So I thought to myself: ‘If cranberry juice is good, cranberry tea is probably good too.’ Cranberry tea has lots of minerals and Vitamins C, K, and E. There are numerous health benefits, but what I mainly like about it is that it is good for weight loss. It helps burn fat and flushes toxins out of your body. It is considered a detox tea.

Why black cherry tea?

Black cherry juice and black cherry tea are in high demand. I discovered the health benefits accidentally. My late husband had a problem with his big toe. Turns out that it was gout, and eating black cherries helped. Cherry juice is kind of expensive. But the tea is reasonably priced. Cherry tea helps reduce inflammation, eases muscle pain, and decreases pain from gout, arthritis, and headaches. Maybe this is why a lot of medicine comes in cherry flavor. You think? Black cherry tea is also used for detoxification.

Thanks for reading.




Monday, March 24, 2025

Food and Drink History Lesson : English Tea (Guest Post)

Tea in England

Author: AnutaVasil

The English primarily drank coffee and wine as their staple drink, and tea was unknown in England till as late as 1662. In 1662 Charles II married Catherine of Braganza of Portugal, and it was his new bride who brought with her a preference of tea. She served tea instead of wine, ale and spirit. Tea soon acquired the status of royal drink and a social nicety for the rich.



However, tea's acceptance by British masses was quite slow. It was in late 1700 that tea's popularity picked up. As tea came from British colonies, it came to be viewed as a national drink, with patriotic sentiments attached to it. Another reason which contributed to its popularity was the ease of its preparation technique. While coffee grounds could be brewed only once, and reusing the same ground yielded a much inferior flavour, tea leaves could be brewed several times without any significant drop in the quality of liquor. As tea was a high class drink and hence expensive, the British masses bought second hand, brewed leaves and brewed them longer to compensate. Tea was thus gradually finding place in British everyday life.


Soon, tea began to be sold in London coffee houses. Tea was heavily advertised as a medicinal drink which helped maintain health and beauty. The coffee house owners charged heavily for a cup of tea, as much as 6-10 pounds per cup. The government soon imposed various taxes, regulations and restrictions on sale of tea, with a view to cash in on the growing tea trend. This even led to tea being smuggled into England. Finally the taxes were waived off to stop this illegal smuggling.

Tea, meanwhile, continued to grow in popularity. Around 1800, there developed an "Afternoon tea" culture, wherein rich ladies invited their friends for a cup of tea in the afternoon. They also served pastries, sandwiches or some snacks along with it. It was accompanied by social graces, refined conversation, sweet gossip and polished etiquette. Yet another popular tea trend was serving tea in tea gardens. Pleasure gardens like Vauxhall or Ranelagh Gardens provided lush lawns for public to stroll and enjoy a hot cup of tea. The working class, however, took a break from work in the evening, and relaxed with tea.

The most well-liked and sought-after teas were English breakfast tea and Earl Grey. English breakfast tea, as its name suggests, was consumed mostly in the morning, as its strong caffeine helped shake off sleepiness and start the morning energetically. It blended sumptuously with milk and sugar, and could be enjoyed any time of the day. The Earl Grey provided a classic blend of fine black tea with bergamot essence. It was considered a more sophisticated tea.

In 1875, Thomas Lipton aggressively advertised tea. He replaced the coffee gardens in Ceylon with tea plantations and opened his first tea shop. By the end of 1the 9th century, he had almost set up his Tea Empire and laid the foundations of the modern tea trade. The Indian and Ceylon blends, Brooke Bond and Lipton, found a firm place in British everyday life. Tea had finally "arrived" in England.


About the Content Provider
History of Tea and Tea Shops

Article made available for republication via: articlesbase.com

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BLOG PUBLISHER'S COMMENTS:   Hope you enjoyed this article.  Do you also enjoy tea?  Before you leave this, please click the link to visit.



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Friday, November 22, 2024

Foodie Friday : Apples and Pumpkins

Autumn is the season for apples and pumpkins.  My favorite recipes are apple cobbler and pumpkin pie, which (in my humble opinion) are true American holiday cuisine.  I enjoy these desserts for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

FUN FACTS:

Cobblers originated in the British American colonies.  "The earliest recipe dates from 1824. Apple Cobbler – Cobblers (stewed fruit topped with batter, biscuit, or dumplings) originated in the British American colonies with the term “cobbler” recorded in 1859. Cobblers can be made with any type of fruit or berry and are also known as slumps, grunts, and pandowdy." (SOURCE: M. E. Bond)

A cobbler is not the same as Crisp, Crumble, Betty, Or Buckle?  What's the difference?  "Cobblers are a fruit dessert baked with biscuit-style topping. It's called a cobbler because its top crust is not smooth like a pie crust but rather “cobbled” and coarse. It's usually dropped or spooned over the fruit, then baked. Individual fruit cobblers." (SOURCE: Farmers' Almanac)

"Northeastern Native American tribes grew squash and pumpkins. The Native Americans brought pumpkins as gifts to the first settlers, and taught them the many uses for pumpkin. This led to serving pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving in America about 50 years later." (SOURCE: The History Behind Pumpkin Pie)

Do you have a favorite recipe using these ingredients?

BONUS QUESTION:  Which do you prefer to top your apple cobbler or your pumpkin pie?

  • Scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • Huge squirt of whipped cream
  • Other topping


History of Baked Fruit Desserts Like Buckle, Pandowdy, and Cobbler

Pumpkin Pie! A History!


Previous 5 Foodie Friday Posts;

YACR (Yet Another Chili Recipe)

Figs ~ Enjoy a Coconut Fig Slice

Childhood Memories:  COTTON CANDY

Upside-Down Cakes

Dinner Idea: Chicken with Blackberry Salsa


Monday, September 2, 2024

Spices – History and Mystery (Pt 2 of 2)

Mystery of the Spice Islands Revealed

(Continuing from Part 1).
  • The East India Company Ltd – reborn and renewed The East India Company today is reborn as a vibrant, inspiring company that acknowledges its heritage to never stop exploring and pioneering, to discover the world’s finest foods, products, and services.  The products they sell include teas, coffees, chocolates, and other fine foods.
  • Manas: History and Politics, East India Company Read more about the History and Politics of the East India Company; its humble rise to good fortune and its decline from political and economic power into dissolution by the Crown.


After being fought over for years, in 1814 the Dutch traders finally beat out the Spanish, Portuguese and the British for the monopoly of the spice trade and these islands came under Dutch control. The Spice Islands, along with other territories in the area now governed by the Dutch were all consolidated under one name: Dutch East Indies. They were under Dutch government from 1814 to 1942. During World War II, the Japanese conquered the Dutch West Indies and occupied them from 1942 - 1945. In 1945, Indonesia was proclaimed a republic, and the islands which were formerly known as the Spice Islands are now known as the Maluku Islands (also called the Moluccas or Moluccan Islands). The Moluccas are included with a group of islands between Southeast Asia and North Australia, that comprise the Malay Archipelago.

But you don't have to travel to Indonesia or circumnavigate the globe and risk death to go on an exotic spice adventure. Just follow the spice trails at Everyday Exotic Spices.




* India Tree Pepper Mélange is a premium blend, containing Tellicherry black, Madagascar green, Malaysian white and allspice berries; use the same way as black pepper.

** Kefta spice blend is an authentic Moroccan recipe which includes: Coriander, Cumin, Spearmint, Paprika, Cayenne, Marjoram, Garlic, and other spices.

*** Sumac is a very popular condiment in Turkey and Iran, where the ground fruits are liberally sprinkled over rice. Mixed with freshly cut onions, it is frequently eaten as an appetizer.

[ Content first published at Blogjob May 2017. ]

Thursday, August 8, 2024

Foodie Friday : World Cuisine : Cooking : The Right Blend of Spices for Cajun Food Lovers

Enjoy Everyday Exotic Spices Every Day!

If you are a spicy food lover then more than likely Cajun food is on your list of most awesome world cuisines ever! Right? But you don’t know just the right blend of spices needed get that authentic spicy Cajun flavor. Also right. Huh?



Image credit: © Photographer: Ppy2010ha | Agency: Dreamstime.com
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Ever tried Slap Ya Mama seasonings?

Interesting name huh?. The way Walker & Sons advertise their food products is:

"Taste so good. Make you wanna slap ya mama!"

Say what??!! There is nothing in my entire life that I've eaten that ever made me want to slay my momma. But guess what? These are award-winning spice blends.

"Real Cajun Seasoning for Real Cajun Cooking."

How did I find out about these products? The Internet and Facebook, in particular, is a beautiful thing. This person saw my foodie website, Everyday Exotic Spices, which is advertised on Facebook via my business page, contacted me, and asked if they could send me samples. Of course, my response was “Yes!”
Received various products in a box delivered straight to my door. Tried them in different recipes and here's my reaction. Did I want to slap my momma? No. But I was ready go mano-y-mano with my spouse!
He wanted to keep it all to himself. I'm like: “Oh no! That ain't happening!!”

View the entire selection of Slap Ya Mama products.

Below are my favorites.


Slap Ya Mama Original Blend Seasoning



Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning White Pepper Blend



Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning Hot Blend



Slap Ya Mama Etouffee Sauce

"Étouffée or etouffee (pronounced: [e.tu.fe] ay-TOO-fay) is a dish found in both Cajun and Creole cuisine typically served with shellfish over rice." (Source: Wikipedia)

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Links of Interest:
Cajun Food History and Louisiana Creole Cuisine History
Cajun vs. Creole: What’s The Difference?

Hope you enjoyed this post.



Image credit: © Photographer: Moneca1 | Agency: Dreamstime.com



Previous #FoodieFriday posts?


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