davidplotz's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Hákarl
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Hákarl

Iceland's fermented, dried shark smells like urine and can taste like strong cheese.
Gastro Obscura
Pylsur
Gastro Obscura
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Prepared Foods

Pylsur

Icelanders make a very, very good dog.
Gastro Obscura
Hverabrauð
Gastro Obscura
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Prepared Foods

Hverabrauð

Iceland's thick, chewy "hot spring bread" is just like regular rye bread, with one big difference.
Gastro Obscura
San Marzano Tomatoes
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

San Marzano Tomatoes

Grown in the volcanic soil around Mt. Vesuvius, these tomatoes are one of only a couple varieties used in authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Gastro Obscura
Necco Wafers
Gastro Obscura
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Sweets

Necco Wafers

Produced since 1847, these classic New England candies almost disappeared in 2018.
Gastro Obscura
Boiled Cider
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Boiled Cider

Popular in colonial New England, this “apple molasses” is now made by only a handful of commercial producers.
Gastro Obscura
Kouign-Amann
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Kouign-Amann

Some Bretons claim that their signature treat is the fattiest pastry in the world.
Gastro Obscura
Pocari Sweat
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Pocari Sweat

A pharmaceutical company developed this beverage as drinkable IV solution.
Gastro Obscura
Shaker Lemon Pie
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Shaker Lemon Pie

In this tangy treat, no part of the citrus is left behind.
Gastro Obscura
Ice Wine
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Ice Wine

Pressed from frozen grapes, this prized wine was a sweet accident.
Gastro Obscura
Falooda
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Falooda

A 2,500-year-old Persian dessert evolved into this Indian summertime favorite.
Gastro Obscura
Biscuits Roses de Reims
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Biscuits Roses de Reims

These pink cookies are destined to be dunked in champagne.
Gastro Obscura
Hoppin' John
Gastro Obscura
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Prepared Foods

Hoppin' John

This New Year's luck-bringer has a controversial contemporary taste.
Gastro Obscura
Bakewell Pudding
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Bakewell Pudding

A sweet and sticky accident from Derbyshire, England.
Gastro Obscura
Cornish Pasty
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Cornish Pasty

In the 19th century, tin miners ate these handheld pies and left their crusts to appease mischievous, mine-dwelling spirits.
Gastro Obscura
Stinky Tofu
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Stinky Tofu

Follow your nose through Taipei for this crispy, warm street snack.
Gastro Obscura
Mozartkugel
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Mozartkugel

Like the famed composer himself, this Mozart-homage bonbon originated in Salzburg, Austria.
Gastro Obscura
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Historians debate whether this dish actually originated with Italian sex workers.
Gastro Obscura
 Vernors Ginger Soda
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Vernors Ginger Soda

The Detroit favorite is one of the oldest sodas in the United States.
Gastro Obscura
Japanese Navy Curry
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Japanese Navy Curry

This curry celebrates Japan's maritime history.
Gastro Obscura
Churchkhela
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Churchkhela

These delicious strands of juice-coated nuts look like colorful candlesticks.
Gastro Obscura
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries

Real maraschinos were born more than a century ago in an Italian distillery.
Gastro Obscura
Real Wasabi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Real Wasabi

Most sushi fans have never tried this rare rhizome.
Gastro Obscura
Louisiana Egg Knocking
Gastro Obscura
Story

Louisiana Egg Knocking

In small towns across the state, an Easter tradition becomes a competitive sport.
Gastro Obscura