This deep-red wine from the area around Cahors was once numbered among France’s most famous growths. Full-bodied wines have been pressed here since the 7th century, as demonstrated by a letter sent by the Bishop of Verdan to his colleagues in Cahors, thanking them for the noble wine they...
The “first lemon” which came to the Mediterranean from the distant Far East in ancient times, soon spread throughout Italy and the Provence. Brought to Corsica by sailors in the Middle Ages, where a mutant variety with sweet flesh, known as cédrat de Corse, thrived. However, it cannot be eaten fresh....
The image of Archimedes leaping from his bath with a cry of Eureka (Greek for “I have found it”) is, despite the efforts of generations of physics teachers, not based in fact. While testing a gold crown suspected of being a mere alloy, Archimedes realised that the mass of water...
Camembert is probably the nost well known of all French cheeses and the name and technique have been copied all over the world. The French AOC Camembert de Normandie is widely considered the benchmark by which all others are judged, but despite its reputation as a proud...
According to legend, Athena and Poseidon were unable to agree which of them was to rule Attica. Zeus, the father of the gods, was summoned to arbitrate. He told the squabbling pair that he would declare as the victor whichever of them could show him the most beneficial discovery...
A great variety of different types of amaretti and the smaller amerettini, can be found in Italy, from the tiny, hard cookies to the large and succulent macaroons with their rounded tops. An expresso ordered in a northern Italian bar with usually arrive accompanied by cookie of this kind,...
After sharing the review of Purple Citrus & Sweet Perfume I decided to share one of my favourite recipes from her book as a tempter …. do try these delicious little morsels but I warn you to make sure you do quite a few as your guests will love them!!! Crunchy...
The relationship between wine and medicine in the Renaissance is interesting and has its foundations in the ancient texts of Hippocrates, Discorides (his De universa medicina provided an analysis of some 500 plants with medicinal value) and Galen, as well as the writings of Hildegard von Bingen in her Physica which...
“The Cyclops took the wine and drank it up. And the delicious drink gave him such exquisite pleasure that he asked for another bowlful. ‘Give me more, please, and tell me your name – here and now – I would like to make you a gift that will please...
You will all have heard of the goddess Aphrodite but here is a little piece about her and her relationship with Cyprus…. It is said that wherever Aphrodite wandered, sweet-smelling roses grew at her feet. Many ancient myths have been woven about the birth of this goddess. Cronos,...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
