Thomas Sullivan, an American tea merchant, with his love of labor-saving devices, was the first to develop the teabag. In around 1908, Sullivan, a New York tea merchant, started to send samples of tea to his customers in small silken bags. Some assumed that these were supposed to be used in the same way as…
Category: Fun Facts
Ketchup, The Victorian Era Cure All?
The British-based “ketchup” or American-named “catsup” as we know, is a tomato-based table sauce used for dunking fries, spiraling on hot dogs and glazing meatloaf…on and on. However, in the Victorian Era, it held some pretty saucy claims. European traders were first introduced to the thick red pottage while visiting the Far East in the…
Balsamic: Real Deal or Carbon Copy?
Did you know that real aged balsamic vinegar actually costs anywhere from $75 to $400 or more? Here are a few reasons why: Balsamic vinegar is NOT like other vinegars. What defines vinegar is the fermentation of alcohol — typically wine but also beer or cider — into acetic acid. Red wine vinegar, white wine…
The Best Pound Cake Recipe and the First Pressed Vintage Recipe Dating Back to 1796
Pound cake got its name from its original recipe, dating back to 1796, which called for a pound each of butter, eggs, sugar, and flour. A successful pound cake should be moist, buttery, dense yet light and full of flavor. Here’s the recipe I have used for years and the one that gets the most requests,…
Apple Walnut Tart with Maple Custard
As Juliet may have lamented from the Shakespeare play “Romeo and Juliet,” “A rose by any other name would smell as an apple?” No, we won’t taint Juliet’s plea, but I am here to let you know that an apple is that of a rose, at least it is of the same family. Apples, quinces,…
The Magical Properties of Herbs & Spices: The Mysterious 6 for Good Fortune, Abundance & Love!
As early as 3000 B.C, herbs and spices have been traded, valued and used in preservation and enhancement of food and drink. Many have medicinal and even magical properties. If you are looking to bring prosperity and abundance into your life, look no further than your own spice pantry. Here is a list of the…
The 7 Prosperous Foods of New Year’s Eve
“Out with the old in with the new.” This age old wish rings true in most every home on New Year’s Eve and Day. Why not welcome in the year proper with the addition of your favorite foods to ensure good fortune? Here are the wondrous 7 to help lead the way. Fish Fish are…
Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Pistachio White Chocolate Cookies In a Jar Great Last Minute Gift!
I always loved the idea of giving and receiving layered dry baked goods in a Mason jar. They can safely be tucked away in the pantry for later use, once the sweetness of the Holidays are through and one needs a gentle, delightful reminder of the over and done festivities. Simply print out the recipe,…
Christmas Fare of Film & Song “Figgy Pudding” from “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
Warm & Sticky Figgy Pudding Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups chopped dried pitted dates 3/4 cup chopped dried figs 2 cups water 1 teaspoon baking soda 7 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup superfine sugar 2 eggs 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour 2 1/2-ounces dark chocolate, grated Butter, for coating ramekins Ice cream or whipped cream, for…
“Christmas I Knew” by Ken Bayliss
If you have ever read, or seen the film of Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales you have an idea of my early version of Christmas. Growing up forty miles from him, and thirty three years after him, things were not too dissimilar. The coal fire, glowing red and encouraged by my father for…
Once Upon a Spice 