‘A grey block of meat.’ This does not sound very appetising, but seeing balkenbrij, many would say this description is perfect. The dish looks unrecognisable in terms of ingredients, but those who do know it will describe it as ‘waste’ meat. Besides, it is often considered as nasty by those who know it; after all, it […]
Peanut butter: the journey to Dutch hearts
In the Netherlands, almost every household has a jar of peanut butter in the cupboard. Maybe you spread it on a slice of bread, or perhaps you use it as an ingredient in salad dressing. And when you were in school, did your mum pack you peanut butter sandwiches for lunch? Well, mine did, and when […]
Between Medical Diet and Hype: Half a century of eating Gluten Free
Approximately 1 percent of people have Celiac disease. This means they can’t eat gluten, the proteins found in wheat, rye and many other grains. Even though only 1 percent of people can’t eat gluten, the supermarkets are filled with gluten free products. In restaurants as well, most menus offer gluten free options. I know this […]
Fits like a glove: the global elevation of salted caramel
Salted Caramel seemed to appear almost out of nowhere, on any corner and is quickly taking over. In Holland it made its mark in the famous Tony Chocolonely chocolate and has since then been found in popcorn, ice cream, coffee, cocktails, protein shakes, Twixbars and the list goes on. The two ingredients alone are surely […]
From Elite Brew to Everyday Fuel: The Evolution of Dutch Coffee Culture in the 18th century
The Dutch are coffee lovers, especially students. Everyone has seen it before: trendy coffee shops packed with people working or studying behind their laptops. These cafes have become places where knowledge is acquired and research takes place outside the walls of universities. Four centuries ago, during the 17th century, similar trendy spots started to emerge, […]
The battle of the spekkoek: Which country can claim to be the real creator?
Toko’s, restaurants, bakeries and even supermarkets sell it. ‘Spekkoek’ has become so common in the Netherlands that you can find it everywhere. It has become part of the Dutch culture and is promoted as an Indonesian snack. I was curious about the specific origins in Indonesia of this cake, so I started my research. But […]
From unemployment to climate change: what is your motivation to eat vegetarian?
Many people today might think that vegetarianism is a trendy lifestyle movement that has only emerged in the past two decades, but nothing could be further from the truth. The history of vegetarianism in the Netherlands stretches back over a hundred years. While plant-based eating is more popular than ever today, with climate change being […]
Babi Pangang or Foe Yong Hai? Chinese-Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands
By Renée Evers When my parents didn’t feel like cooking, it was sometimes suggested to “just walk to the Chinese” for a takeaway. Close to my parents’ house, on the corner, between the bike shop and the pub, there was a Chinese-Indonesian restaurant. As a child, I always wanted to go with them to pick […]
Buttering up the Chicken: On Who Came Up With the Dish and Where it Comes From
The start of 2024 was boisterous in India because of a big court case. It might not be something you would immediately think of when thinking about big court cases, but two men challenged each other on who came up with the recipe for butter chicken. The court case received nationwide attention, which might seem […]
Tiels Flipje; How fruit cultivation ensured regional identity in the Betuwe.
I remember growing up in Buren, a small village known for nothing but the fact that William of Orange was once married there. Little did I know back then, that the region I come from, is nationally known for its fruit cultivation. Surely one of the main jobs you could get as a 15-year-old was […]