samanthahale's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Shojin Ryori
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Shojin Ryori

Japan's traditional temple cuisine features meals that are nutritionally and visually balanced.
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Goma Dofu
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Prepared Foods

Goma Dofu

This tofu alternative replaces soybeans with sesame and kudzu.
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Qvevri
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Qvevri

These gigantic clay pots are the secret to Georgia's unusual wine.
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Yak Butter Tea
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Drinks

Yak Butter Tea

It's the fat-fueled energy drink of the Tibetan Plateau.
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Kvass
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Drinks

Kvass

You can find authentic versions of this sour Slavic brew at street stalls and monasteries.
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Commandaria
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Drinks

Commandaria

To taste the oldest wine still in production, head to Cyprus.
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Eucalittino
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Drinks

Eucalittino

Outside Rome, a tranquil abbey turns eucalyptus into liqueur.
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Zoiglbier
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Drinks

Zoiglbier

In medieval Germany, drinkers followed a star to local lager.
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Chimay Beer Cheese
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Meats & Animal Products

Chimay Beer Cheese

Beer-brewing monks make aromatic, ale-flavored cheese in the Belgian countryside.
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Anis de Flavigny
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Sweets

Anis de Flavigny

Once made by monks, this candy spends 15 days rolling in sugar syrup to get its pearly-white shell.
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Green Chartreuse
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Drinks

Green Chartreuse

Only two silent monks know all 130 plants that go into this herbal liqueur.
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Handkäse Mit Musik
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Meats & Animal Products

Handkäse Mit Musik

The stinky cheese comes with onions and bathroom humor.
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Licor Valvanera
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Drinks

Licor Valvanera

This herbal liqueur is produced by a Benedictine monastery in the Spanish wine region of La Rioja.
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Huesos de Santo
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Sweets

Huesos de Santo

These “holy bones” taste like heaven.
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Buckfast
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Drinks

Buckfast

The caffeinated wine is made by British monks and loved by Scottish criminals.
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Tocinillo de Cielo
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Sweets

Tocinillo de Cielo

This heavenly custard was born from the leftovers of sherry winemaking.
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Biscuits With Mice
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Sweets

Biscuits With Mice

After the birth of a child, Dutch families celebrate with a sweet and colorful treat.
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Rauchbier
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Drinks

Rauchbier

Only a few breweries still make smoky beer in this classic German style.
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Camino de Santiago Wine Fountain
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Drinks

Camino de Santiago Wine Fountain

Pilgrims trekking across Spain can stop for free wine at the Monasterio de Irache.
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Biska
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Drinks

Biska

One of the smallest cities in the world specializes in mistletoe brandy.
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Postum
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Drinks

Postum

This wheat-based coffee alternative has a cult following.
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Sturm
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Drinks

Sturm

Fizzy, fruity, and still fermenting, this almost-wine is a celebrated part of Austria's harvest season.
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Port Tongs
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Port Tongs

Sabering champagne doesn’t hold a candle to this method of cracking open wine bottles with red-hot iron.
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Amlou
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Ingredients & Condiments

Amlou

Morocco's nutty, decadent spread is made from the prized oil of the argan tree.
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