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 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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Edible Fruit Bouquet Arrangements: Home Made or Ready Made?

Don't know about you but every year one of my Top 10 New Year's Resolutions is to eat more fruits (and veggies; especially the green leafy kind).  But thinking about it.  Not only is it a good idea to eat more fresh fruit, but since there are holidays, birthdays, and special occasions all throughout the year, giving fruit as a food gift is also a good thing.  

Don't you love receiving fruit baskets and edible arrangements?  

Do you prefer to make your own or purchase these gifts ready made?

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Fabulous How to Video: 
Make Edible Fruit Bouquet Arrangements! 

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But if you're still not into making these arrangements or you don't have the time, there is a convenient way to order online and have this lovely edible gift delivered.

Edible Arrangements Coupons

Fruit Bouquets: Deliver delicious fruit bouquets to share!

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Food Gift Baskets Are Perfect for Holiday Gift-Giving

The holiday season is upon us and I for one am very content to share a few precious moments with family and friends. It is not necessary to give me a gift. However … if you want to make me happy for the holidays, you can give me a cheese gift basket. Several years ago my brother gave my husband and me a basket for Christmas and we thoroughly enjoyed all of the tasty cheeses. 

Image credit

You can buy gift baskets that are ready-made or make a basket yourself. If you want to make a gift basket and you are not sure which cheese to pick, you can follow the advice published by Serious Eats or Taste Atlas.

REFERENCES:

• Thorpe, Liz. “Cheese Expert's Picks: 10 Essential Cheeses to Know and Love.” Serious Eats, SERIOUS EATS INC., BY DOTDASH, 31 Oct. 2019.

• “100 Best Rated Cheeses in The World.” Taste Atlas, AtlasMedia Ltd. (EU), 5 Dec. 2020, www.tasteatlas.com/100-best-rated-cheeses-in-the-world.

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Me personally, I like gouda, gruyere, extra sharp cheddar, Greek feta, and Camembert. But I would be more than happy to try any of those other cheeses recommended on these lists.

Of course, I know a cheese gift basket is kind of expensive. But it's just a suggestion to get you thinking about all the various types of gift baskets you can put together and give to family and friends.

For example, do you have a friend who is a cocoa or coffee or tea lover? Or a friend who likes various sorts of jellies and jams? You can choose a theme like … chili fixings or ingredients for Italian or Mexican food. Making gift baskets is fun. They don't have to be edible gifts either. (I just like receiving gourmet food baskets!) The items don't even have to be in a straw basket. Gift baskets can be very personalized and unique. You can give one to an individual, a couple, or a family. And of course … they come from the heart.

How to Make Easy Fancy Gift Basket



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