cafebabel.com

Scotland: address to haggis and Europe

('Arno van der Zwet',) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:00 -0000

25 January 2012 marks the 253rd birthday of Robert Burns, the most famous Scottish bard. Supermarkets all over are going haggis-crazy. Haggis is delicious, but not for the faint hearted. Recipe

'Pie chart' becomes 'camembert' chart in French class

('ZoeBBee',) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:12:49 -0000

The current economic climate is enough to give you indigestion, but I rue our European economics experts having the idea of using charts resembling food. It gives students like myself grumbling tummies everytime we attend economics class

Sherry, an English love story

('Akli Hadid',) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:00:00 -0000

One of the most typical European wines has to be 'vino de Jerez', a white wine fortified with brandy which is known as 'sherry' in the English-speaking world and 'Xérès' amongst French-speakers. The name comes from the vineyards near the town on the southern tip of Europe

Hákarl: when in Iceland, eat as the Icelanders generally don’t

('Kris Anderson',) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:11:04 -0000

The name of this traditional dish of fermented shark meat translates as 'rotten' shark. While some Icelanders do eat the traditional dish, many think it’s disgusting and therefore an appropriate and amusing tourist attraction. Tourists – particularly those seeking some fabricated notion of ‘the real Iceland’ – agree

Hungary introduces tax on crisps

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:47:45 -0000

Prime minister Viktor Orban’s government has set itself the task of driving unhealthy eating habits out of Hungary. They are now trying to do this with the help of the so-called crisps tax which came into effect on 1 September

German tourists in Scotland: Scotch malt at airport and haggis for breakfast

('Annie Rutherford',) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:32:23 -0000

German holiday-makers come to Scotland for a variety of reasons: for a sip (or several) of the water of life, to trace the steps of history in crumbling, misty castles – or simply because the flights to Iceland were too expensive. Whatever their reasons, a German's visit to Caledonia is often shaped by a few key food and drink experiences. Musings of a Scottish tour guide

French students in Shanghai make 'crepes by Johnny Depp'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:09:32 -0000

Little did they know when these European architecture exchange students set up their own stall on the Chinese metropole of 23 million, that it’d lead to a mini-revolution in May

Space cucumbers in battle against E. coli

('Tansy Larsen',) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:00:00 -0000

While European scientists still haven’t managed to identify the exact source of the E. coli epidemic that has struck Germany, a Japanese astronaut has decided to rise to the challenge. Taking off on the morning of 8 June, Satoshi Furukawa, a crew member of the latest mission to the International Space Station (ISS), intends to grow space cucumbers

Supper clubs between London and Paris

('Amy Tighe',) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:55:34 -0000

With all the talk of recession-wrought doom and gloom, cutbacks and taxation, it can be easy to forget to make lemon cheesecake out of Life’s proverbial lemons. If necessity is the mother of invention, let the economic depression yield inspiration. And let's have a slap-up meal in the process

Student guide: community-supported agriculture in France

('Craig James Willy',) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 17:00:00 -0000

The system of associations for community-supported agriculture (French initials AMAP) has been growing in Europe over the last 20 years. In recent years, student 'AMAPs' have multiplied on campuses. From Nantes to Palermo, a look between pickers and carrots

Ferran Adria, culinary avant-garde

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:37:00 -0000

In his own words, he’s just a 'chef with a restaurant', but this Spanish master is in fact so much more. Read cafebabel.com's interview with Europe's master chef from 2005

Caviar: the most expensive food in the world

('Helen Swain',) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:44:47 -0000

When Louis XV spat those viscous fish eggs which Peter the Great had offered him back into the face of the Russian Tsar, the French king did not know that he was turning down a delicacy which was soon to become the most expensive and coveted food in the world. Plus, recipe

EU aphrodisiacs: unleash the rhinoceros in you

('Erin Woycik',) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:00:00 -0000

Eating at home is the cheaper and more pleasant seduction option. Create the appropriate atmosphere and know how to captivate your palate. All your senses are involved in sensuality, from soft music playing in your ears, to the food in your mouth

Twelve dishes of Polish Christmas: meat excluded

('Helen Swain',) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 04:30:00 -0000

At Christmas, the Poles don't skimp: no less than twelve luck-bearing dishes are served one after the other. Meat is excluded but fish is welcome, and cabbage heads up the ingredients

Hannukah fun-ukah

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:37:10 -0000

Christmas markets, singing angels, hectic shopping and chocolate Santas. Traditional jews don’t have any of that Christ-plus-hype. They celebrate Hannukah instead and down oil rather than sweets

Lemon half moon cake for Danish far right party

('Thomas Gam Nielsen',) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:28:08 -0000

In Denmark, the people’s 2010 revolution is lemon. The popular ‘citronhalvmåne’ cake is being sent in the tens to the offices of the far right Danish party, in protest of their immigration policies. Ironically, the crescent shape of the ‘lemon half-moon’ is also a muslim symbol – a perfect gift on the eve of Ramadan?

Ramadan: from Bologna with love

("naomi o'leary",) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:48:36 -0000

We’re hungry, and in a hurry. The evening sun is still strong enough to melt the tar between the cobbles. I’m in Bologna, Italy, and Badr is bringing me as a guest to iftar, the daily feast that breaks the ramadan fast.

Chicken!

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:50:51 -0000

'Da lachen ja die Hühner,' cackle the Germans. 'Even chickens would laugh!' - it sounds so ridiculous that it's actually unbelievable! But don't undermine the global power of chickens, you cowards; these south-east Asia originating birds have oft harmed global markets and relations

Once upon a pizza

('Alexandra Baxter',) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:15:45 -0000

On 4 February, the EU paid homage to Neapolitan pizza by designating its trademark status. Yet when we eat a margherita, does it mean we're also paying homage to the three colours of the Italian flag? Behind this round piece of bread and staple in European diets lies the story of kings, queens and Italy

Italian housewives: the vital ingredient for a good polenta

('Amanda Mulligan',) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:45:00 -0000

So all you need is salted water and cornmeal, right? Most certainly not! Modern instant recipes are no substitute for the real thing. It’s impossible to make good polenta without a bit of elbow grease and a lot of patience. Don’t forget the copper pot for cooking it in either

M**Bun, Eataly, GROM: the organic flavour in Turin

('sara mojtehedzadeh',) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:00:00 -0000

Eating well can save the environment, economy, and local heritage, according to the Slow Food Movement, an international non-profit culinary educational organisation which was founded in 1989 by the Italian writer Carlo Petrini. Its appetising premise is to combat the acculturating effects of corporate America & co. through the affirmation of local, fresh, organic food. Its phrased in its manifesto as ‘the right to pleasure’, and in Turin, it’s a right that’s being energetically exercised

Who gives a cabbage?

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:22:22 -0000

Cabbage is the prince of warming winter dishes. It's the main ingredient of choucroute, Milanese cassœula (stew), German sauerkraut and Polish bigos, chomped down with pork, sausages and/ or potatoes. Plus a cassœula recipe for six

Sourpuss

('Sarah Pybus',) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Being 'as sour as vinegar' is a saying that's recognisable across the continent, but why? It starts with the word itself - vinum acetum means 'wine turned sour'. Idiom of the week

Europe's breakfasts: I'll have what Obama's having

("naomi o'leary",) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:08:27 -0000

Russia: Putin feeds Obama whilst a leather boot fans the flames. Italy: whilst Obama becomes president, Berlusconi serves his escort a hot drink. Germany: Merkel cooks brekkie for hubby: a round-up of European politicians' breakfast stories in the news, plus a pancake recipe for the bimonthly gastronomy column

‘Oysters’ vs. Coke: popular European hangover cures

('Paulina Dominik',) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:25:48 -0000

Have a read of these European hangover cures - it might make you not want to drink again. From a Polish ‘bull shot’ to a James Bond-style ‘prairie oyster’ via a good old hair o’ the dog, the advice is to get concocting

Tree huggers

('Aatish Pattni',) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0000

The times in which eco-warriors and nature lovers raged unrest in the downtown areas whilst kitted out in hand-knitted wool jumpers and Birkenstocks are now over. Now that the trend of being eco-aware has come to the forefront of society, the whole of Europe is witnessing a bloom in eco-green ‘cusswords’

EU bread and salt directive gets Germans in a pickle

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Whether it’s a pretzel or some yeasty rye bread, bread and salt are essential ingredients in Germany, despite the silliness of EU directives

CAP? The queen farms on EU money

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:00:44 -0000

Normally the EU doesn't shrink from using showing citizens with golden plaques and stardust whereabouts European money goes. With regards to cereal, meat and milk this is somewhat different. The agricultural subsidies, which were originally meant to support the agricultural community, now flow in quite different directions. Latest news titbit from Brussels

Richard Adams, Britain's father of fair trade

('Anna Patton',) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:26:34 -0000

The Fairtrade movement has come a long way since its humble beginnings, when two students began importing fruit and vegetables from India. As Fairtrade Fortnight sees over 10, 000 events held across the UK, we speak to one of its founding fathers

Berlinale documentary: FOOD inc - what are you eating?

('Ole Skambraks',) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:03:13 -0000

Do producers deliberately hide information about the origins, ingredients or the production process? American director Robert Kenner investigates in the primary phase of the chain, right into the animal factories and agricultural fields

An apple a day

('Luciana Grosu',) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:55:17 -0000

Apples are used in European sayings to express everything from nasty people, looking healthy and causing chaos - weekly idioms with audio

The EU talks internet piracy

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:15:00 -0000

The European parliament passes an amendment defending consumer rights on internet downloads, promotes fruit and vegetables and the Blue Card - the latest news from Brussels

European idioms: a pumpkin this Halloween

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:45:00 -0000

Pumpkins in expressions can be saying no to a date in Spanish, being dumb in Italian or sleeping early in English - weekly language expressions

How to survive ramadan

('Aatish Pattni',) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Fasting during Ramadan is a considerably difficult strain on the body, made up for by the communal breaking of the fast. Meal times are in the evening and the middle of the night

Ice-cream: born in China

('Erin Woycik',) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0000

A fascinating look at how ice-cream has travelled from the Far East to Europe, and from the highest peaks to our deep freezers

Michelin stars: Europe’s gourmet ratings

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:05:58 -0000

Each year the Michelin guide selects the best European restaurants. In 2008, France holds onto its lead. An altogether too-French attitude?

Bikini body

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:01:20 -0000

You can be as hungry as a wolf, pig or blind dog in Europe

Hungry Senegalese fishermen

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Amidst a global food crisis and scarcer fish, the fishermen 'victims' of EU commercial agreements set off in their pirogues for the shores of Europe

April fools on Belgian TV

('Susannah Readett-Bayley',) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Flemish only on the telephone, the US and the EU fight it out over growth hormones and unhappy times for EU lobbyists - your latest news from Brussels

Do the French top German cuisine?

('Andrew Pritchard',) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Major names in the cookery world have backed France’s application to UNESCO to have its cuisine listed as a world heritage item. In multicultural Germany, the idea is stirring up mixed reactions

A dioxin with my Italian mozzarella, please

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

On 28 March the EU withdrew a ban on the Italian cheese after regulations found they contained more dioxins than usual. French sales were halted temporarily – we speak to an Italian cheese-seller in Paris

Croissant – Turkish, not French

('Sophie Paterson',) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0000

The European journey of a French legend, and why the croissant has finally become a veritable speciality in France

Zuppa inglese: trifling English

('Kate Martin',) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Czech your beer craze

('Sarah Turpin',) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:09:00 -0000

Before you make your own brew at home, find out who were the first ancient consumers

In Senegal, farmers versus Europe

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0000

Small-time Senegalese producers are speaking out against the Economic Partership Agreements (EPAs) negotiated on 8 and 9 December at Lisbon. For them, the battle against famine means being opposed to market liberalisation

December: pure culture seeker

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Berlin sparks and pixels, free Splash electro in Paris, European student cinema festival in Manchester and eat yourself to death in Lodz

Michel Barnier: 'we won't be naive about agriculture'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The French minister of agriculture on the farm subsidies (CAP) reform which the European commission will present in November

From imam to businessman

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Sausages without pork - a Turkish businessman tries conquering the EU

Sun, sangria, siesta

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:28:00 -0000

What REACH costs you

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The new European regulation on chemical substances is here, both for industries and animals. But research does not get the last word