Tag

England

Browsing

What’s the difference between an English muffin and a crumpet?

When it comes to breakfast breads, most of us are carb-loving connoisseurs. Toasts like wheat, rye, and sourdough are just the beginning. Scones, muffins — both blueberry and bran, biscuits and bagels make their way into our morning meal more commonly than we’d care to admit.  And of course you know the English muffin. It’s the sturdy, humble base to your oozing Eggs Benedict and the spongy exterior of your McDonald’s McMuffin. English muffins, and all of these other common carbs, are sold in the bakery and bread aisles of just about any grocery store nationwide. So that leaves the crumpet.  What the heck is it? You’ve probably joked about tea and crumpets in your best stuffy-English accent before, but did you really know what you were talking about? Have you actually ever seen one in the States? English muffins and crumpets are two entirely different creatures, but they have…

What is corned beef and why do we eat it on St. Patrick’s Day?

Dig your “Kiss me I’m Irish” T-shirt from the drawer, get ready to guzzle pints of green beer, and crank up your Crock Pot for corned beef and cabbage because St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Wait… what’s that you say? None of these things are actually Irish? You would be correct. They’re about as Irish as a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake. The now iconic T-shirts are for sale only in touristy gift shops. The Irish would never pollute good beer with green dye, and while they do eat corned beef and cabbage sometimes, they’re probably not sitting down and eating it on March 17. So how did this meal become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day — especially in the United States? The Irish have a long history with cattle that shaped their views of eating beef in general. From early on, cows were not slaughtered for their meat…

Queen Elizabeth’s pastry chefs share her favorite gingerbread biscuit recipe

Mince pies and Christmas pudding aren’t the only sweet treats served at Buckingham Palace, of course. Luckily for those of us not dining with the Royals this holiday, a palace pastry chef has revealed (via the Official Royal Family Website) another one of the Queen’s festive favorites — gingerbread biscuits. And the secret recipe has been shared online for you to try. With only a few ingredients, it’s the kind of recipe you can whip up last minute with ingredients you already have if you’re behind on your holiday baking. Of course the decoration on the biscuits at Buckingham Palace will be the definition of perfection, while the rest of us are left to struggle with keeping the lines straight, but none-the-less, it will be fun to have a taste of one of the things the beloved monarchy loves most at her Christmas table. One tip offered by a royal…

These are the top beer producing countries in Europe, report shows

As an American beer drinker, when you think of European beers, Germany is probably first country to come to mind. Of course, Germany is well-known for its annual Oktoberfest party, big beer steins, and influence on American beers. But the United Kingdom has had a major influence as well, thanks to the ever rising popularity of the India pale ale. And what about the profusion of Irish pubs and Guinness? If you think about it, it would be hard to guess what country in Europe actually produces the most beer. Food Ingredients First reported that The Brewers of Europe trade association released data report from last year. Seven nations were highlighted as top beer producers. Unsurprisingly, Germany led the list, producing 9.3 billion liters of beer in 2017 — accounting for 23 percent of Europe’s beer production. The United Kingdom and Poland tied for second place with production at 4…

Royals aren’t allowed to eat garlic, Camilla confirms

If you love food, not being able to eat garlic would be tragic. But it’s one of the dietary changes self-proclaimed foodie Meghan Markle had to make when she married into the royal family. Rumors have swirled about a royal garlic restriction for years, but Prince Charles’ wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, confirmed the rule during an appearance on MasterChef Australia. “I hate to say this, but garlic. Garlic is a no-no,” she said when asked about foods banned from the family diet, reported AOL. “So garlic is a no-no?” asked one of the show’s judges. “Because you’re talking, chatting?” “Yes, exactly,” said Camila. “So you always have to lay off the garlic.” So there you have it. In case you felt like the royal life was one of too much privilege, image if you had to give up the garlic! But the good news for Markle is that this royal rule only…

Marriage can make a difference in heart health

Britain’s Prince Harry tied the knot with Hollywood’s Meghan Markle in what some may consider a fairy tale wedding. Throughout their married lives, the royal couple will receive many perks like travel and tax dollars, but among them is one perk that they share with all of us commoners. Research has shown that being married reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a study published in December in the Journal of the American Heart Association, marriage has an actual positive impact on the heart. It’s the first study of its kind to show an association between marital status and heart-disease related deaths. “I was somewhat surprised by the magnitude of the influence of being married,” said Dr. Arshed A. Quyyumi, co-director of the emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute at Emory University in Atlanta and the study’s lead researcher. There are various reasons why marriage make a difference in heart health. “Other than…

14 foods that have different names in the UK and US

Between binge watching The Crown, fascinations with the new Royal baby and the upcoming Royal wedding, it seems all of the Western world has become unapologetic Anglophiles. But just because you’ve taken up drinking tea and wearing Burberry doesn’t mean you’re a full-blown expert on British culture. In fact, you may even struggle just looking at a simple restaurant menu. Americans and Brits speak the same language, but after 400 years of history and one giant ocean of separation, navigating the two dialects can be difficult. For anyone planning an upcoming trip to England (or anyone just looking to expand their studies past six seasons of Downtown Abbey) here are 14 foods that go by different names across the pond. (UK — US) Abergine — Eggplant Brits call the purple vegetable “aubergine” instead of “eggplant.” Keep an eye out next time you’re shopping. Some American retailers have picked up on the word, and you’ll see that dark purple shirt or accessory…

The amount of sugar in one Cadbury Egg has horrified chocolate lovers

Cadbury Creme Eggs are a staple of spring. The tasty little treats are only available in the weeks leading up to Easter, so you might be tempted to pick up a few while you can. That is, until you see how much sugar goes into just one egg. A mother took to Facebook last week to show just how much sugar one Creme Egg contains, using a 2p for size reference. Sure, no one thought they were a health food, but it took seeing exactly how much sugar is in each egg to set off an internet storm. “Warning, may upset Creme Egg lovers,” Rebecca Balham posted on her Facebook page, The Little Red Hut Home & Gifts. The post has since had more than 16,000 comments and has been shared nearly 8,000 times. The comments range from outrage to disbelief, but most people are standing by their love of the…

19 Fun facts about champagne

Champagne is synonymous with celebration, and nothing says New Year’s quite like popping a bottle of bubbly. Throughout the year it might be seen as slightly snobbish, but on December 31 Champagne becomes holiday revelers’ drink of choice in countries all over the world. It seems that simply letting those bubbles fly sets the tone for a festive celebration, but what do you actually know about this fizzy favorite? Here are 19 fun facts about Champagne you likely never knew. 1. There are about 49 million bubbles in a 7500ml bottle of Champagne. 2. A standard-sized glass emits 30 bubbles every second. 3. France has the largest Champagne market (of course). The French consume 162.5 million bottles every year, or about 52 percent of the entire world production of Champagne. 4. Champagne has 3 times more carbonation than beer. 5. The pressure in a Champagne bottle is about 3 times the amount of pressure…

The World’s Best Cheese has been named

The best cheese in the world has been named, and neither Italy nor France can claim the honor. It’s created in Cornwall, a county in southwest England. The cheese is called Cornish Kern, and it now officially the Supreme Champion of the 2017 World Cheese Awards. Produced by Lynher Dairies, the cow’s milk cheese has a dark black, wax-like rind. Lynher Dairies describes the cheese as being “buttery with caramel notes.” According to iNews, it’s a “Gouda-style recipe” and is made with “Alpine starter cultures.” It’s aged for about 16 months, producing a hard, “flaky and almost dry” cheese. Cornish Kern beats hundreds of cheeses from around the world to win “World’s Best Cheese” title https://t.co/aoVE6mqjp5 pic.twitter.com/3Jq6GBunw0 — Eater London (@eaterlondon) November 18, 2017 It might not be a region commonly thought of for cheese, but this isn’t the first time Cornish cheese has received international recognition. A variety called Cornish Blue won Best…