Sant’Agata, Catania
Tortured by Roman soldiers in the year 251 CE, Agatha refused to renounce Christianity even when her breasts were being cut off. Today breasts are her symbol and even pastries take their shape – I went to Catania to try the sweet ricotta-filled cassatelle di …
Tiramisuing in Treviso
An autumnal foodie jaunt. Tiramisù. A name that makes the hearts of foodies beat faster and their sweet tooth sweeter. The quintessential dessert. Among the several claims to the recipe by different locations in Northern Italy, the most solid one is probably by Treviso. This …
Bethlehem essentials
A handful of photos from Bethlehem, Palestine. Some with commentary. Have a nice walk. The immortal combo of coffee and cardamom – the smell of the Middle East! Broad beans are another regional favorite. To beer or not to beer? Haram or halal? While the …
Hainan: foodie reconnaissance
A large island on the South China Sea, just slightly off China’s southern coast ––– Hainan. Not only is this the geographically southernmost part of the Middle Kingdom, it is also culturally tied to other southerly southern areas of South China: historical links to Fujian …
Hainan: tea vs coffee
China is an empire of tea. You normally don’t associate her with coffee, unlike the neighboring Vietnam. Yet, tucked nearby where these two countries border on the South China Sea, is an island where both Camellia leaves and Coffea beans play a culture-forming role: Hainan. …
