To some, oysters are a slimy goodie of sea snot, to others a luxury item preferred to be consumed with a glass of bubbles. But have oysters always been a status object? People have been eating oysters for centuries. Even as far back as prehistoric times. Not very surprising. After all, oysters are not very […]
Category: Blog
Cultural spirits: Toasting to Identity
Sharing feelings of pride or a sense of connection with others regarding specific cultural aspects of society is common all over the world. A particular example comes to mind quite close to home: Italian cuisine is a divine part of the day-to-day life of many Italians, and each region or city has its own rules […]
Japanese Curry: How a British Navy staple inspired one of Japan’s most beloved dishes
Japan loves their curry! In fact, they love curry so much that, according to government research, the Japanese eat 10 billion plates of curry a year. That comes down to two plates a week per person. It is fair to say the dish is popular, coming in as the second most eaten dish in Japan. […]
Exploring the Tradition of Table Sour at “De Leeuw” Sour Store
Walking through the south of Amsterdam, one might stumble upon this hidden gem; a jar of pickles in a store window. Looking through the storefront, you realise there are pickles and pickled vegetables everywhere: in jars, in big open bins and you see them being sold over the counter. “Why are there so many pickles […]
Spanish leftovers: the tradition of eating hutspot in Leiden
Imagine: the year is 1574, the sun is rising in the Dutch city of Leiden and people are slowly waking up. The Netherlands was embroiled in a war, which would later be called the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), against the Spanish. The seventeen Dutch provinces had rebelled against their Spanish ruler because they had different […]
Save the turtles! Turtle soup and elitist gluttony
You may have seen videoclips of baby turtles that have just hatched making the dangerous journey across sandy beaches to the ocean. After this ordeal has been survived, dodging predators such as crabs and birds, it’s not all smooth sailing for the green sea turtle. Tiger sharks are considered to be the main predator threatening […]
Timeless Terraces, or Are They?
When strolling through Utrecht on a sunny day, or really any other Dutch city, you will see one thing more than anything else: terraces flooded with people, enjoying the sun, and more often than not, a refreshing alcoholic drink. I find myself in this position a lot as well, chatting away with friends, and looking […]
“Man-Pleaser Salads from the Knox Gelatin Kitchens:” Gendered Gelatin
Most Americans will have consumed the sweet gelatin-based dessert “Jell-O” at least once in their lifetime. This ubiquitous and nostalgic all-American dessert comes in a rich variety of colors and flavors, most are fruit flavored, but there is also a wide variety of puddings. Gelatin, then, in this context is a product that connotates “sweetness” […]
A Peculiar Kind of Cutlery: Salad Cutlery from Whale Baleen
Did you ever see cutlery made from an animal? From a real animal, not those engraved Miffy forks and spoons you got when you were younger. You have probably seen various types of cutlery in a museum: spoons, forks, knives, glasses, plates or dishes, made from gold or silver. Well, this cutlery is made from […]
Pouring Culture: The Art of Soju and Drinking with Koreans
“Because I suffer from diarrhea caused by heat, I therefore am always taking soju. One day, Yi Sunam came [to me] drunk. While I was chatting with him, I offered him a couple of cups of soju, and I did not expect that it would result in this [his death], so I await your Majesty’s […]