The Top 4 Most Popular Local Dishes In Hong Kong

Hong Kong gets hundreds of tourists every day. Holidaymakers come here for the usual tourist attractions: Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, Lantau Island, and Victoria Peak, among others. However, it is not unusual to meet or see travellers who come here for a different reason: to go on a gastronomic journey.

Hong Kong has always been known for its delicious food offerings and its variety. But if you’re in Hong Kong and don’t know which food or dishes you should try, consider the list below:

1. Dim sum. Dim sum are little bite-size pieces of delectable treats. They come in different varieties, the most common ones are pork or beef siu mai, braised chicken, and shrimp-filled har gao. To enjoy a traditional Hong Kong experience of eating dim sum, make sure you accompany them with hot tea.

2. Roasted goose. A goose is marinated in a blend of secret spices, of which some recipes include over 20 different spices and aromatics then roasted using charcoal until it achieves golden crispy perfection. The best roasted goose has meat that is truly succulent and melts in your mouth while its skin is amazingly crispy and tasty at the same time.

3. Brisket noodles and brisket curry. Many restaurants in Hong Kong are known for serving the best beef brisket. The meat is tenderly stewed in a variety of Chinese herbs and spices until it achieves tender perfection. The beef brisket can then be served with a variety of different noodles, in soup, or with a plate of dry noodles. You can also try the Hong Kong brisket curry, where the brisket is shredded into flavourful curry which can also be paired with nuggets of tendon.

4. Lo mai gai. This local dish is made of glutinous rice, a combination of chicken and pork, and sometimes Chinese sausage and is steamed within a lotus leaf until the entire packet becomes gooey. Once this consistency is achieved, the flavours all mingle together, and the lotus leaf embeds its fragrance into the rice.

Info source: sate.com.hk

Some Myths And Facts Worth Knowing About Chocolates

There isn’t any person alive today that wouldn’t eat a piece of chocolate when he or she is offered one. They are indeed sweet treats that are quite hard to resist.

However, even if chocolates are popular treats and ingredients in various recipes, there are still many misconceptions about them. Below are some of the myths and facts about chocolates everyone should know about:

Chocolates are highly addictive. There is no scientific evidence to prove that chocolate can cause physical addiction. According to experts, a person’s feelings about chocolate can dictate their behavior since one can associate eating it with comfort, reward, and celebration. Because of this connection, you may feel that you need this treat and hence, find it difficult to control how much you will consume. 

Chocolate will give you energy. A lot of people turn to chocolates if they are looking for a burst of energy. Although chocolate does contain small amounts of caffeine, this amount is usually not enough to keep you awake or feel active. If you’re hungry or looking for something to perk you up, experts say you should eat a snack that provides sustained energy release such as an apple or even a small sandwich.

Dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate. In general, dark chocolate contains more cocoa solids and cocoa butter than milk chocolate. However, the amount of polyphenols the product contains will still depend greatly on how the chocolate is processed; as such, it’s not necessarily always better. This is because during the manufacturing process, cleaning, fermentation, roasting time and temperature, “dutching”, and the addition of extra ingredients to the cocoa such as emulsifiers and sugars can almost completely remove polyphenols from the dark chocolate.

Info source: blog.bulletproof.com

Interesting Milk Facts You Must Know

Milk is very rick in calcium and protein that help build the muscles you need in order to throw a ball or perhaps climb a tree. Milk is unique since no other beverage contains as many natural nutrients. Your little ones need the nutrients milk provides since their developing skeletal systems will replace bone mass about every 2 years until they will reach maturity.

Some Untold Facts About Milk

Did you know that boys and girls will get different milk? A study done on rhesus macaques showed that a mother’s milk will change depending on whether she gave birth to a female or male. If she had a boy, the milk will contain 35% more fat than if she had a girl. But if she had a daughter, her milk will be high in calcium. Further studies have shown that apart from macaques, gray seals, red deer, cows, and humans likewise make different milk. Scientist have also found out that not only is human milk different girls and boys, it also change based on social circumstances.

On occasion, human babies can make milk. This is called “Witch’s Milk”. This often occurs 3 days after the infant is born. But why does this happen? The breasts of the baby swell up, and the newborn nipples will produce milky white fluid.

Did you know that men are capable of producing milk as well? All they actually need is a lot of prolactin, a hormone responsible for making milk. Men already have it in their body; hence, they just need to boost it up a bit. But this phenomenon is not applicable to humans only. Scientists have also observed male lactation in goats, bats, and guinea pigs.

Trivia Info Resource: pediasurearabia.com

Some Of The Most Popular Traditional Dishes In The UAE

UAE is home to hundreds of restaurants. Whatever cuisine you’re looking for – whether it’s Mediterranean, French, British, Oriental, or American, you will certainly find whatever you’re craving for and satisfy your palate.

This country, of course, is not devoid of traditional dishes that they are proud of and that everyone loves to eat. Below are some of these traditional dishes you should try more than once if you’re in the UAE:

Shawarma - This dish, made from lamb, beef or chicken meat, comes with various vegetables and garlic sauce. It is oftentimes served with fries and pickles as well. You can find this savoury dish in nearly all areas across the UAE.

Tabbouleh – For vegans, you can enjoy this traditional vegetarian Arabian Cuisine. This salad is made up of tomatoes, green onions, and cucumber.  It is seasoned with fresh mint and lemon juice. This salad can be ordered as a dish on its own but it also accompanies other dishes as well.

Al Harees – This traditional dish is made by mixing a pinch of salt in a pot of wheat then adding meat in it. The whole mixture will need to cook until the dish gains a coherent smoothness of texture and taste.  After which, the dish will be baked for several hours and then served. Al Hareers can be enjoyed on its own or as an accompaniment for other dishes.

Info source: www.1762.ae

The Most Expensive Michelin-Starred Restaurants In The World

Top-notch restaurants and dining establishments today are aiming for more than just popularity via food blogs and social media sites. Getting a Michelin star (or more), of course, is also one of their top priorities. By getting this highly-sought stamp of approval, dining establishments will experience a big boost in their reputation and an increase in their stock value in the food industry.

Dining At A Michelin Star Restaurant

For diners, eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant though won’t come in cheap. If you want to experience fine dining at its best, you have to fully prepare for the price tags that come with each dish that you will order.

Below are the top 3 most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants in the world as of 2015:

1. Kitcho. Located in Kyoto, Japan, Kitcho is known for Japanese fine dining at its best. This restaurant serves high end Japanese cuisine and also immerses guests in an atmosphere that breathes Japanese culture. Kitcho is owned and managed by Kunio Tokuoka.

2. Restaurant Le Meurice. Found in Paris, France, this restaurant boasts of the remarkable talent of celebrated chef Alain Ducasse. Savour the best of French cuisine in this restaurant and experience superb ambience inspired by the Salon de la Paix at the Château de Versailles while dining here.

3. Masa. Another Japanese restaurant, but this time located in New York City, Masa is operated by master chef Masa Takayama. Originally from Tochigi, Japan, this fine-dining Japanese restaurant has already been awarded three Michelin stars. This restaurant boasts of an extensive menu of Japan’s world-famous cuisine.

Info source: keanebrands.com

Some Foods Best Bought Organic

Most of the time, when people go shopping for food, the two main factors they would consider when buying a certain item are its price and taste. Consumers would also consider the nutritional value a food product would provide but this is not a general norm that a lot of people practice or follow.

Unfortunately, this is a practice that everyone should be doing. A lot of the food products we consume, whether natural or loaded with preservatives and artificial flavoring, contain ingredients that are not good for one’s health. Some of the natural fruits, vegetables, and produce that everyone thought were always good for their health now come with certain harmful ingredients.

Foods You Should Always Buy Organic

Below are some of the foods that you should buy organic and the reasons why:

Apples – To get the best nutrients from apples, you need to eat its peel. Unfortunately, the apple’s peel is where pesticides accumulate. When you buy organic apples though, you can be sure that you can safely the peel and enjoy all the nutrients this fruit has to offer.

Potatoes - Conventionally-grown potatoes have one of the highest pesticide contents among various types of fruits and veggies. In fact, in 2006, the USDA discovered that 81 percent of the potatoes they tested contained pesticides, even after they were washed and peeled. If home-made mashed, roasted, and boiled potatoes are always on your menu, better get organic fresh ones.

Strawberries – Bright red strawberries, though delectable to look at, are not healthy consume at all. They may be enhanced with a substance containing the contaminant fungicide captan. In addition, they may contain high level of pesticides as well.

Info source: ziwira.com

A Look At The History Of Snow Cones

Whenever you’re outdoors and you just can’t seem to stop sweating because of the intense heat, aside from wanting to jump into a swimming pool or a cool shower, you will also have a big urge to eat or drink something cold. You’ll definitely go to the nearest shop to buy a bottle of water, cold juice, soda, smoothie or even an ice cream. Or you may want something really refreshing that can really cool you down: a snow cone.

The Early Beginnings Of Snow Cones
 
Snow cones, also known as sno-balls or shaved ice, are one of the best icy treats that you can get your hands on during the hot season. But how did this cold treat found its way into the mainstream food industry?

During the 1850s, the American Industrial Revolution made ice readily available to the public. During this time, different ice houses in New York would ship blocks of ice to Florida, using a wagon. When these ice wagons would pass through cities, such as Baltimore, children would chase after the wagons and ask for a scrape from the ice block. The mums would then prepare their own flavouring to place on the ice scrapes. One of the first popular flavours during that time was egg custard, which was made of eggs, vanilla, and sugar.

The first snow cone machine though was only invented in 1919. The inventor’s name was Samuel Bert, a Texas local. He used this machine to sell the first machine made snow cones in the State Fair of Texas in the same year.

Info source:snowyjoey.com.au

Popular Types Of Coffee Served In Most Coffee Shops

Coffee is actually one of the most popular types of drink that many people from all over the world loves. And because of this, more and more coffee shops are built. Know the most popular types of coffee served in most coffee shops below:

- Brewed coffee. This is the most popular type of coffee mainly because it is very easy to prepare and very affordable as well.

- Espresso. Many people love this type of coffee, hence, it is among the most popular ones. This is a lot like brewed coffee but thicker and more concentrated. It has a foamy cream-like texture.

- Cappuccino. This type of coffee has also gained popularity in most coffee shops. It is made by combining espresso, hot milk and hot steamed milk froth or foam.

- Americano. For some people, espresso is just too strong or powerful, hence, they add a little hot water to it and called it Americano. It still has the full flavour of espresso but with a milder taste.

- Caffe latte. This is a mix of espresso and steamed milk with luscious foam on top. This is among the most popular coffee types because people can create fascinating art work with the foam.

Trivia Info Resource: coffeetechnicians.com.au

The Most Common Main Courses For Vegetarians

When it comes to parties and special events, choosing the best types of food to serve is very important. However, if you have guests who are vegetarians, it can be very challenging to know the right kinds of food to serve to them. You may ask your caterer but you can also do a little research and look for the most common main courses for vegetarians. Check out some of them below:

- Chickpea Burgers. Burgers are usually made of meat and cheeses. This chickpea burger is actually made not just for the vegetarians but even those who like to eat meat as this tastes like those burgers with the best meat.

- Eggplant Parmesan. This is actually one of the most popular vegetarian dishes. It may be a little complicated to prepare but certainly the taste it all worth it.

- Vegetable Pizza. Some people may think that this sounds very unappealing. When you talk about pizza, you would normally think of different types of meat and cheeses as toppings. This one is different. It has tomato and scallions, basil and lots of different types of cheeses.

These are among the most common main courses for vegetarians. So if you are throwing a party and you have vegetarians friends coming, include these dishes in the menu.

Trivia Info Resource: www.1762.ae

The Top 15 Biggest Tea Drinking Countries In The World

Coffee and tea have both been the most popular beverages in the world. Some people are partial to coffee while others to tea. A lot, of course, are fine with drinking both at any time and for any occasion.

But which countries have the most number of people that drink tea each year? The first country that would probably come to your mind is United Kingdom, due to stereotype. If your answer is the same, unfortunately, you’re wrong. UK though still belongs in the top 5.

Below are the top 15 biggest tea drinking countries based on the average annual tea consumption per person as shown by a study conducted in 2014:

1.  Turkey – 6.961 pounds per person
2.  Ireland – 4.831 pounds per person
3.  United Kingdom – 4.281 pounds per person.
4.  Russia – 3.051 pounds per person.
5.  Morocco – 2.682 pounds per person.
6.  New Zealand - 2.629 pounds per person.
7.  Egypt - 2.231 pounds per person.
8.  Poland - 2.204 pounds per person.
9.  Japan - 2.133 pounds per person.
10. Saudi Arabia – 1.983 pounds per person.
11. South Africa – 1.789 pounds per person.
12. Netherlands – 1.714 pounds per person.
13. Australia – 1.649 pounds per person.
14. Chile – 1.613 pounds per person.
15. United Arab Emirates – 1.589 pounds per person.

Info source: cloudnineteas.com

Wheat – The Perfect Ingredient For The Best Sandwiches In Dubai

Did you know that wheat is considered almost perfect food? Along with banana and milk, these 3 foods are packed with a wide range of essential nutrients that ensures a well-balanced diet.

Called the “staff of life”, wheat provides about 15 to 60 percent of the calories and protein in most diets of people. Considering the 44 known essential nutrients, only five are missing from wheat.

The wheat berry alone contains 22 vitamins and minerals. Its bran, having five or six layers of protective coating mainly consists of fibers.

To retain most of the original wheat berry, it is recommended that they should be stone ground when processed.  When wheat is refined, nutrients are lost. Refined wheat flour has 60 to 80 percent fewer nutrients than the whole kernel and only 10% of its fiber.

Wheat is the most nutritious flour you can use to make bread for your sandwiches. It was thought before that this food is fattening because of its carbohydrate content but research has proven that they are valuable when they come in their natural form of whole grains. The creamy sauces, butter and oily spreads that people put on their bread are what make it fattening.

Trivia Info Resource:  appetite.ae

The Origin Of The Word “Gourmet”

For many food lovers, the word gourmet is not unheard of. It is usually heard when going to a fine restaurant or a grand event. However, many people still do not actually know the meaning of the word or what its origin is.

Gourmet is actually from the word wine broker or taste-vin which is a French term. It was also once known as “fraind” which refers to a presentation of delicious and nice-looking food which is not primarily for the body’s nourishment. And then it was called “gourmet” which refers to a refined palate.

Today gourmet can mean both a person and a food. It can mean a kind of refined meal which is delicately prepared to taste good and look good. It defines elegance and sophistication in preparing and presenting food. On the other hand, it can also mean a person which has a refined taste in premium food. It can also mean a person who has the knowledge to prepare and present delicious food in a very creative way.

Trivia Info Resource: 1762.ae

Cakes Then And Now

Today, you can see and taste different kinds of cakes in various areas of the world. But did you know how cakes came about?

Brief History Of Cakes

The world’s first great bakers were the ancient Egyptians. They have large-scale bakeries that yielded unleavened breads as well as cakes. Actually, they first baked on hot stones. They were the ones who first discovered how to use wild yeast in order to make flatbreads and cake rises. Did you know that cakes are round since they descend from ancient breads – round loaves of dough are indeed placed on hearthstones to bake.

It was only in the 18th century that bakers discovered the technique of whipping eggs in order to make the cakes rise. In 1840s, baking soda was already invented. And in 1860s, baking powder was already sold in the market.

With the development of ovens with regulated temperatures and that sugar became more affordable to everybody; a lot of people were already capable of baking. And this actually resulted to more creativity in recipe development. And in the mid-19th century, the modern cakes started to be created.

Although sugar has originated in Asia, cakes are considered a Western evolution. Today, every culture has its special cake recipes that most people in the world have not yet tasted.

Trivia Info Resource: www.mumslounge.com.au