States of Splendor
Georgia, an ancient country of the Caucasus. For some, it is off the beaten tracks, although for the wider area, it is a key piece of a regional puzzle, intersection and gateway to Eastern Europe and occidental Asia. For this small country, the centuries have enabled it to develop it’s own distinct culinary palette. Georgia…
Saigon, Berlin, Halifax, Mexico city, and Istanbul… What do these cities have in common? All of them harbour a love for the world famous döner kebab sandwich. Istanbul has no choice, as it is the place where the Ottoman gastronomy dish, the döner kebab, became famous; a hearty sandwich that would travel the world and…
In the United States, the most well known wine region is California’s famous Napa Valley Agricultural Viticultural Area AVA). Oregon as well has some prime AVAs that are gaining traction worldwide. However, one of the country’s AVA with the most significance and history is the Niagara Escarpment AVA, the heart of which is here is…
Ahmed owns the best Biryani restaurant in Karachi, Pakistan. Its 2000 square feet of gleaming stainless steel, filled with stoves, slicers, mixers, grills, smokers, and fryers, manned day and night by a wealth of local Biryani talent. Ahmeds’ biryani restaurant has made it to the tourist guide books, declaring a nugget of truth. The biryani test, it says, is about throwing a…
View in the Klamath mountains in South West Oregon Oregon is now known as one of the most productive and innovative gastronomical states in not only the West Coast but all of the USA. It’s renowned for the care put into it’s food reflecting the unique products found there. It’s grass fed beef,…
As Milan is currently preparing to gradually emerge from the recent coronavirus spell, Italy’s second largest city is currently cocooning. This wonderful city nevertheless retains all of it’s charms. Especially during trying times, farmer’s markets prove themselves to be imperative to the well being of the population. Open air marketplaces play a slightly more instrumental…
As the world is in lockdown and anxiously awaits to return to work, amid the virus going around, many are realizing the essential nature and crucial role that farmer’s markets play in every society around the globe. Countless efforts are being deployed to keep them active, much like a lifeline for food security and the…
By now, many know about the stupendous flavors that the authentic huoguo ( Chinese hotpot) beholds. Huoguo is a juggernaut of a gastronomical ambassador for the middle kingdom. Many variations of this original recipe are found all over China. One of the most spectacular ingredients to be dipped in the hotpot is somewhat of a…
One secret about to become a mild food fad in the next year is probably the “first nations potato”. As many know, the potato is originally from the American continent. In the US, we have long been accustomed to Idaho potatoes and the like. However, some have done some research into the phenomena of native…
Searching the world for it’s best common sandwiches is an endless quest. Often overlooked, the world of variety and innovation in everyday sandwiches around the world is very impressive. Among the endless contenders, many stand out. One of the best common sandwiches that U.S.A. has to offer can be found in Western New-York State, in…
When someone talks about South East Asia, the first place that comes to my mind is Thailand. Thailand is a wonderful place whether it comes to its architecture or food; it is a place to go at least once in a lifetime. Thailand’s architecture is wonderful, the temples’ architecture is one of its kinds as…
After a year, we are officially launching today the S.O.S. podcasts on a regular basis. After two introductory podcasts, the S.O.S podcast #3 is starting the ball. These podcasts will necessitate your participation as they are made to provoke conversation as well as induce “dreamtime” or what is sometimes refered to as the state of…
In the beginning of the 18th century, in Puerto-Rico, cultivation of cocoa was still thriving. It was a quite reputable product, as the earth of this island, the sun, the humidity and the temperature lends itself quite well to that crop. Unfortunately, in the next few years, successive very intense hurricanes completely eradicated the cocoa…
Cambodia, and the Khmer people have most definitely been through the wheel of possible terrestrial realities. Inside this country, one can witness this fact and thus be amazed. A stop in Siem Reap is an increasingly popular one these days, where the history and wonder truly give a flavor to the simple everyday life. Once…
Most everyone has heard of Amsterdam; perhaps sometimes not for the right reasons. This city was once the world’s wealthiest, during the 17th century. Apart from recent touristic wave usual interest, the city also boasts some very authentic markets. Albert Cuyp market is Amsterdam’s most popular one. Patrick Hacikyan/ Amsterdam is the Netherland’s capital. Holland…
The States of Splendor podcast #2 is finally online. After a month’s wait, it is finally made available to all in it’s present format. It is one hour and 16 minutes, recorded in April 2018. SOS podcast number 2’s main subject is British gastronomy. We sit down and have a conversation with our English…
Kashmiri kulcha The Muzaffarabd Azad Kashmir is noted for its traditional bakery. In Muzaffarabad bakery shops are elaborately laid out. Bakers sell many kinds of crispy, flaky breads and puff pastries with poppy seeds. Below is a story of Kashmiri Kulcha typically consumed in breakfast in Pakistan held Kashmir. Karim chacha, or “Babu Ustad” as…
Bat meat cuisine from North Sulawesi, Indonesia Indonesia has many typical culinary traditions spread throughout the archipegalo. In Manado, North Sulawesi, there is one food which slightly creepy when we imagine eating it. Even for a native Indonesian such as myself, this food brings up images of something that is not unlike what some Americans…
Yellow rice As many people know, rice is essential to most of asiatic cuisine.The majority of Indonesia’s populations consume rice as a staple food. The rice can also be used in the practice of certain traditional rituals such as honoring ancestors; therefore rice is an important staple food in the daily life of the Indonesian…