Cheese and Why We Love It
Filed Under Food History
It's national cheese lovers' day! Cheese is one of our favorite things. What can beat the creamy richness of our favorite type of dairy? Cheese comes in vast array of flavors and textures, from spicy and pungent to smooth and mild, from hard, to chalky, to almost liquid. Many of our top selling destinations, including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, the United Kingdom, and the USA, boast not only… Read
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In Honor of Spaghetti
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips Italy
Tomorrow, January 4th, is National Spaghetti Day. Hurray! To most people spaghetti is just that thin, long Italian noodle you put under meatballs and marinara sauce, but did you know that in Italy, spaghetti is rarely (if ever) served with a meatball, and that some say it's not even Italian at all? For those of you who think Marco Polo brought it over from China - wrong! A quick bit… Read
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How to Order Coffee in Italy and Other Useful Coffee Tips
Filed Under Food History, Travel Tips Italy
Most people know that ordering coffee is not like ordering coffee in the US. Even in the age of Starbucks and other coffee houses, even with terms like "Americano," "Macchiato," and "Grande" tossed around, there is still a bit to learn when it comes to ordering coffee in Italy. Try a coffee with a slice of an Italian "torta della nonna." Coffee is a true cultural superstar in Italy. It… Read
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Recipe for Lemon Posset
Filed Under Cooking Videos, Food History, Recipes United Kingdom
We have a new obsession in our house, and it's lemon posset (pronounced "paw-set"). Fabulously simple (it has only 3 ingredients), stunningly luscious, it is our new favorite dessert. What is a posset? We know it as a creamy, lemony dessert from Britain that a bit like a pudding. Browse more of our recipes. An online search reveals that it was originally made with milk curdled with spiced wine or… Read
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The Culinary Traditions and Altars of Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Special Occasions Mexico
What is the Day of the Dead? It is a popular and long-standing Mexican celebration of the deceased that occurs over Halloween (All Hallow's Eve), All Saint's Day (November 1), and All Soul's Day (November 2). This is the period when the threshold between the living and the dead is seen as at its "thinnest" and most permeable. The holiday is celebrated throughout Mexico and in communities of Mexican heritage… Read
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What is Spanish Tomato Bread?
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History, Kitchen Tips Spain
If you travel in Spain on a Spain culinary tour or cooking vacation you're sure to see bread served with a side of tomato and a clove of garlic. If you don't know about the fabulous "tomato bread" you might be at a loss how to proceed! Check out our culinary vacations in Spain. What is Spanish Tomato Bread? Pan con tomate (or "pa amb tomàquet" in Catalan) is a… Read
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