Sitting by the window, set amidst a cozy atmosphere, the fresh aroma of coffee stirred some thoughts in my mind. A group of boisterous teens nearby created quite a ruckus and I wondered if it was the result of perhaps, having too much coffee?

Hot and steamy or cold and frothy, I noticed, different people like their coffee’s served in various ways. This led me to think and ponder whether anyone has really wondered what went behind this alluring cup of coffee whilst they sipped the enticing brew?

The appeal of coffee has spanned over various continents but when I really discovered the origins of coffee is as rich as the brew itself, it really propelled me to share some of these fascinating stories with you.

History of Coffee:
There are lots of myths and legends when it comes to the history of coffee. Many thought the cup of coffee to be very mysterious and this stimulating coffee found itself shrouded in mystery in the earlier days. One of the most popular legends is associated with a goatherd named Kaldi. One day, when Kaldi was with his herd of goats he noticed a sudden change in their behavior. The goats turned spirited and that was made Kaldi hunt for the probable reason. That was the time he viewed a wild coffee shrub and it dawned on him that his goats probably had eaten some cherries off this shrub. Curious, it led him to have a taste of the wild cherries himself. Upon feeling energized, he spread the story of these wild cherries in his village. From the local monastery, the tale spread between the monks and even the locals. Read the rest of this entry »

Italian cuisine is world famous. Pizzas and pastas are the two popular dishes people around the world are familiar with. Italian recipes are known for it is use of fine ingredients such as herbs and spices. The history of Italian cuisine dates back to ancient Roman days. The historians believe the history of Italian food began during the eight century BC, when Greek settlers colonized Sicily and Magna Graecia, a region in Southern Italy.

Italian food of mountainous regions is a blend of French cuisine and mountain specialties. The Italian cuisine of this region has strong Gallic flavors adopted from France. Hence, a dish such as white truffles or “trifola d’Alba ” is one of the popular Italian dish. Seafood with a touch French flavor is found in Liguria, a city in North Italy.

History of Italian Food – Magna Graecia

The Italians believe the nourishing and tasty Italian cuisine was borrowed from the Greeks. The regular meals consisted of food prepared from chickpeas, lupins, dry figs, pickled olives, salted and dry fish and pork. On occasions such as weddings or festivals various delicacies were prepared. A few dishes belonging to Magna Graecia include sweet meats made from almonds and walnuts, honey sauces, soups and meat in vinegar. Sumptuous feasts were associated with ancient Roman nobles. Read the rest of this entry »

Cajun food history can be traced back as far as the 1700s. The people or Cajuns (the group of Acadians and the native Indians) exiled from Canada. As these people were not treated properly by the French Aristocracy of New Orleans, they were forced to settle down in the swampy marshlands outside the city. The exiled people were forced to survive on the meager ingredients that grew on the swamps and the game and seafood that was available. This was the Cajun food origin and the main ingredients were shellfish, other forms of seafood like turtle, alligator and other game like duck, turkey, chicken and pork. Among these ingredients, shrimp and crawfish became the most popular dishes. These dishes were served with steamed rice, which is the staple food of these people. Gumbo, a type of stew and Jambalaya, which is made with vegetables, meat stock and rice, are two popular foods of the Cajun cuisine.

A typical Cajun meal consists of three pots, one pot contains the main dish, one pot that has steamed rice, a grain dish or fried cornbread and the last pot contains the vegetable. Cajun food in the earlier times was merely considered a food of the poor immigrants. But with the passage of time, as more immigrants melded together in southern Louisiana, they brought with them their own spices and methods of cooking and transformed the bland food into a spicy one. A blend of these ingredients combined in one pot became the staple diet of the immigrants and a part of the Cajun food history. After many years, the ingredients were prepared in various methods and new menus called ‘the Southern Hospitality’ was derived from the Cajun food history. Read the rest of this entry »