Crab and Pork Dumplings (Story + Recipe)

Dumplings are an ancient food and many regions around the world have them in some form or another as part of their national cuisine. There are also numerous legends surrounding the origin of the delicious dough balls. The beauty Xishi According to a Chinese tale, eating dumplings started in remembrance of Fairy Jiao. In the ...

Emma Lu

A basket of dumplings.

Famous Foods of the Ancient Chinese Capital Xi’an

One of the “Four Great Ancient Capitals of China,” Xi’an was the most important city during Tang, Sui, Qin, Western Zhou, and Western Han dynasties. Then called Chang’an, this is where the Silk Road started, and where you can find the Terracotta Army. With such a rich history, you can expect to see some of ...

Raven Montmorency

A bowl of mutton soup.

Breakfasts From Around the World: Portuguese Egg Tarts of Macau

We will explore a popular breakfast in the Chinese region of Macau — Portuguese egg tarts with creamy custard filling and flaky pastry. The first meal of the day: that which breaks the fast. Breakfast doesn’t necessarily need to be in the morning. It’s whenever you break the fast. It could be in the afternoon ...

Armin Auctor

Portuguese egg tarts.

Shakshuka, the Yummy Middle Eastern Dish (+Recipe)

Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern and North African dish featuring eggs and tomatoes. The dish is traditionally eaten as breakfast in the Mediterranean. The word Shakshuka comes from one of the Berber languages, meaning “a mixture.” Shakshuka The origin of Shakshuka is highly disputed. Some believe that it came from Morocco in Africa. Others ...

Raven Montmorency

A pot of Shakshuka.

6 Ways Garlic Is Good for Your Health

Garlic is a commonly used herb in cuisines. Related to onions, chives, and leeks, it is believed to be native to Siberia, from where it spread to the rest of the world about 5,000 years ago. Since ancient times, it has been identified as having medicinal properties. 6 ways garlic can benefit your health 1. ...

Raven Montmorency

Cloves of garlic.

The Beautiful Tung Blossoms in Taiwan

Like cherry blossoms, Tung blossoms (油桐花) are another amazing flower that is popular among the people of Taiwan. Every year from mid-April to mid-May when Tung blossoms are in full bloom, many hilltops across Taiwan are blanketed with the snow-white flowers of Tung trees. Please watch the following video of the beautiful Tung blossoms in Taiwan. ...

Billy Shyu

Tung blossoms.

Scientists Discover Bacteria Responsible for Kimchi Fermentation

If you are a fan of Korean cuisine, you will be familiar with kimchi, which is basically the mascot of fermented foods. Scientists have always known that it is rich in microbes. Now, a study from the World Institute of Kimchi (WiKim) sheds light on the influence of various bacteria found in the food. Kimchi ...

Raven Montmorency

A bowl of kimchi.

Saffron: The Amazing and Mysterious Spice

Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, with high-quality varieties selling for up to US$1,000 per pound. It is usually grown in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India, and has been used extensively in Persian and Indian cuisine for centuries. In ancient Greece, this spice was seen as a useful medicine. ...

Raven Montmorency

A plate of saffron.

Biryani: The Quintessential Indian Dish With a Global Presence

Chicken biryani has a special throne in the palace of Indian cuisine. No wonder then that this was actually the most searched Indian food globally in 2019. According to food.ndtv.com: “A study by SEMrush found that chicken biryani had an average of 4.56 lakh [456,000] searches each month.” The world-famous rice dish has played ambassador ...

Raven Montmorency

Biryani.

A History of Dumplings (Plus Bonus Peking Pork Dumpling Recipe)

Dumplings are universally loved, with different takes for different countries and regions. There’s the Italian ravioli, the pierogis of the Polish, Japan’s gyoza, and you’ll find more if you check out various cuisines around the world. Surely, you’ll find a dumpling recipe, whether it calls for boiling, steaming, or frying. You see, the dumpling is ...

Raven Montmorency

A bamboo basket of dumplings.