gastronomy
Buy Nuremberg gingerbread online
On the first weekend of Advent, Nuremberg’s own version of Father Christmas opened the annual Nuremberg Christmas market, recognised across Europe as a must for all gingerbread fiends
gastronomy, nürnberg, lebkuchen, christmas, germany, yum nyam
Hákarl: when in Iceland, eat as the Icelanders generally don’t
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
gastronomy, best of cafebabel.com, iceland, lifestyle, fisheries, society, spécialités
German tourists in Scotland: Scotch malt at airport and haggis for breakfast
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
gastronomy, germany, alcohol, edinburgh, haggis, lifestyle, society
First McDonalds in Sarajevo opens on 20 July
Sarajevo leaves the company of Tirana and Pristina to join the ranks of European capital cities with the opening of its first McDonalds on 20 July. Locals used to claim that the food here was so good that the American fast food restaurant did not dare to compete. In a world of evolving cuisine and lifestyle, how is the arrival of McDonalds in Bosnia different than that of just another restaurant?
gastronomy, bosnia and herzegovina, america, sarajevo, yum nyam
Ferran Adria, culinary avant-garde
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
gastronomy, food, cooking, restaurant, chef, interview, catalan
EU aphrodisiacs: unleash the rhinoceros in you
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
gastronomy, sex, best of cafebabel.com, recipe, food, yum nyam
Lemon half moon cake for Danish far right party
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?
gastronomy, immigration, sweet, right wing extremism, junk food, society, denmark
Popping into Chinatown in Manchester
Known as a Chinese village of north England, the neighbourhood is one of the most peculiar in Manchester, being the second largest tourist spot of England after London. One of the odd distinguishing factors of multiculturalism is the local community enclosed in its borders
gastronomy, university, cities, immigration, chinatown, manchester, england
Hot-cross Europe
Easter eggs, fried slices of bread in milk or wine and hot cross buns: April 8 sees Europeans celebrate Easter in their own way
Once upon a pizza
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
Devouring Sigrid Verbert, a Belgian food blogger in Italy
It's not just scrumptious cuisine and pretty photos in a book. Its pages won't just dunk you into Italy, Belgium or Germany, but inside Europe good and proper. Just as gastronomic traditions mix and merge, 'il Cavoletto di Bruxelles' constructs tastier realities
Spain, Denmark and Romania 'fat tax' for citizens
One popular New Year's resolution is to eat less unhealthy food. Although this tends to be a personal decision, at the start of 2010 the three EU countries are discussing ways to slim down their citizens - or at least swell their coffers
gastronomy, taxation, presse, tax, society, cooking, yum nyam
Soup: from Spanish gazpacho to Ukrainian borscht
If, after an orgy of fat, sugar and alcohol, you’re thinking of a detox diet, join the club! The only solution: soup
Mulled wine across Europe
Sugarloaves, Swedish punch and grog: how Europe drinks to stay warm in the chilly run up to christmas
gastronomy, cinema, christmas, germany, film, alcohol, history
Europe's breakfasts: I'll have what Obama's having
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
gastronomy, angela merkel, lifestyle, barack obama, silvio berlusconi, recipe, food
‘Oysters’ vs. Coke: popular European hangover cures
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
Marmite and co: disgustingly debatable foods in western Europe
Travelling around Europe, you’re never safe from a bad gastronomic surprise, be it vegetable yeast spread, bull’s tail, pig’s head paté, mushroom spread and much more ... brace your guts. Plus, a recipe for stewed oxtail
gastronomy, germany, poland, united kingdom, tourism, austria, france
England: home to Europe's cheese?
Watch out for homogenisation. In order to flog their wares to Americans and their sensitive stomachs, or to get them approved by Brussels, European cheese makers are being asked to pasteurise their products. How disgraceful! Cheese and cheese-making has such a wonderful tradition...
EU bread and salt directive gets Germans in a pickle
Whether it’s a pretzel or some yeasty rye bread, bread and salt are essential ingredients in Germany, despite the silliness of EU directives
Crêpe Europe
Sweet, savoury, with butter, flambéd… when it’s the christian holiday of Candlemas, Dia de la Candelaria in Spain or la Chandeleur in France, crêpes are unavoidable. What about the rest of Europe?
