The great Roman poet Horace once wrote, “No poem was ever written by a drinker of water.” Possibly, Horace was a tremendous admirer of Bacchus, the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine. And possibly the most intriguing, the god of ritual madness and ecstasy. Bacchus was one of the primary gods worshipped in…
Category: Fun Facts
Vino! Some Ancient Medicinal Mysteries
Today, I’d like to cover some ancient beliefs in regard to wine’s therapeutic uses. This “nectar of the gods” hasn’t won the hearts of many and transcended the years for its mere taste alone. We’ll move on to the origin of its making one day soon, but “why” it was used seems more intriguing to…
Coffee o caffè? Making Sense of it All!
We all know what coffee is and how we normally prefer to drink it, but what about the other “caffe’” choices and items on the menu? With all the different types of coffee beans and beverages available at coffee shops today, it can be a bit perplexing when it comes to exploring other options. Rather…
“Milo” By Artist Illustrator Pamela Jaffe-Cohen
“Milo” by Artist Illustrator Pamela Jaffe-Cohen Today, I would like to welcome Pamela to the Once Upon a Spice Family! She is currently creating our Logo and will become the official Illustrator for the “Once Upon a Spice” cookbook! The subject of this stunning work of art, created by my dear friend Pamela, is our little…
The Art of Coffee: Learn to Become a Latte Barista
The “Art of Coffee” is unlike any that you’ve ever experienced! Impress your friends and families by producing these drinkable works of art right before their very eyes! Some are too stunning to consume, but as the New York Italians say “Fughettaboutit!” Beautiful latte art is a sign of a perfect espresso drink & a talented barista….
Ice Cream (gelato) versus il gelato…There IS a Difference!
If you’ve ever visited Italy, you’ve more that likely had the pleasure of experiencing velvety, luscious Italian gelato or possibly an icier version similar to American ice milk gone Italian ice. Maybe you assumed the only reason it seemed richer and more flavorful than American ice cream was because you were enjoying it in the…
Oooey Gooey “Cheese” Your Stairway to Heaven? Or Shall We Continue Following Zeppelin? Here’s a Wedge of Ancient Info
Ahhhhh, Cheese!! We pile it high on our favorite sandwiches. Mound it on our beloved pizzas. Stack it in and among egg dishes. But where did it come from? Here’s a brief history…Part 1 There are many Egyptian documents that swear to the presence of cheese. Specifically in Thebes, where the tomb of Ipy is…
Lasagna: Lasagnum, Laganon, Lagane? The Classic Dish with Multiple Personalities
The history of lasagna is a perplexing and much debated topic among culinary historians and experts worldwide. While there are a few theories as to its origins, some believe that the word ‘lasagna’ comes from the Greek word ‘lasagnum’ which is actually the word for the vessel the pasta was made in! The Greeks then…
Mama Mia, That’s a Spicy Meatball!!
I have to chuckle when I think of this very witty Alka-Selzer, television commercial aired frequently in the early 70’s. Mostly, because I remember my Sicilian Father’s hilarious, but meager attempts at mimicking the American, turned temporary Italian, Actor! While you had to be there to truly appreciate daddy’s efforts, this was one of the…
Pasta or Spaghetti Sauce: The Nectar of the gods? Could be!
Spaghetti or pasta with tomato sauce, also known as marinara, is a staple of southern Italian cookery or almost anywhere that southern Italians live today. However, spaghetti with marinara hasn’t always been a pillar of southern Italian cuisine. It’s actually a relative newcomer. Let’s briefly touch on pasta. Once upon a time every school child…
Once Upon a Spice 