jddarcy's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Castoreum
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Castoreum

Early 20th-century chefs used beaver musk to give sweets a vanilla-raspberry flavor.
Gastro Obscura
Patatje Oorlog
Gastro Obscura
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Prepared Foods

Patatje Oorlog

Atop every serving of Dutch “war fries,” a pile of spicy, savory condiments do battle.
Gastro Obscura
Steam Beer
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Steam Beer

The unique style born out of the California Gold Rush blends the crispness of a lager with the flavor of an ale.
Gastro Obscura
Heather Honey
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Heather Honey

A fragrant, difficult-to-harvest delicacy from the Scottish moorlands.
Gastro Obscura
Ligurian Honey
Gastro Obscura
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Ingredients & Condiments

Ligurian Honey

This famous Italian honey is now produced only on an Australian island.
Gastro Obscura
Arkansas Black Apple
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Fruits & Vegetables

Arkansas Black Apple

This dark, rare fruit lasts a very long time.
Gastro Obscura
Yūbari King Melon
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Yūbari King Melon

The most expensive melon in the world is a status symbol in Japan.
Gastro Obscura
The Christmas Pickle
Gastro Obscura
Story

The Christmas Pickle

The holiday tradition of hiding an ornamental veggie.
Gastro Obscura
Crowdie
Gastro Obscura
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Meats & Animal Products

Crowdie

This ancient, spreadable cheese is disappearing from Scottish cuisine.
Gastro Obscura
Hackberry
Gastro Obscura
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Fruits & Vegetables

Hackberry

The little-known fruit tastes like peanut M&Ms.
Gastro Obscura
Antwerp Chocolate Hands
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Antwerp Chocolate Hands

These sweet hands come with stories of triumph and brutality.
Gastro Obscura
Mavrud Wine
Gastro Obscura
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Drinks

Mavrud Wine

This ruby, tannic style is little-known outside its native Bulgaria.
Gastro Obscura
Biska
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Biska

One of the smallest cities in the world specializes in mistletoe brandy.
Gastro Obscura
Samichlaus
Gastro Obscura
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Drinks

Samichlaus

This lager, once considered the strongest beer in the world, is brewed only on Saint Nicholas's Day.
Gastro Obscura
Camino de Santiago Wine Fountain
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Camino de Santiago Wine Fountain

Pilgrims trekking across Spain can stop for free wine at the Monasterio de Irache.
Gastro Obscura
Rivesaltes
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Rivesaltes

This French fortified wine is left outside for a year, aging amid rain and swinging temperatures.
Gastro Obscura
Meteorite Wine at Tagua Tagua Observatory
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Meteorite Wine at Tagua Tagua Observatory

This Cabernet Sauvignon is out of this world.
Gastro Obscura
Seaweed Ale
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Seaweed Ale

The ocean-scented brew pays homage to an old Scottish style.
Gastro Obscura
Biltong
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Biltong

This spiced jerky is a beloved snack in South Africa.
Gastro Obscura
Éclade de Moules
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Prepared Foods

Éclade de Moules

These marvelous mussels are cooked under pine needles.
Gastro Obscura
Bara Lawr
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Bara Lawr

The seaweed tops toasts and enriches oatcakes in traditional Welsh breakfasts.
Gastro Obscura