smj99's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Amaro di Sant'Antimo
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Amaro di Sant'Antimo

At an abbey in the Tuscan countryside, monks specialize in a curative, flower-based liqueur.
Gastro Obscura
The Fluffernutter
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

The Fluffernutter

A completely delicious, nearly nutrient-free sandwich beloved by generations of New Englanders.
Gastro Obscura
Kvass
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Kvass

You can find authentic versions of this sour Slavic brew at street stalls and monasteries.
Gastro Obscura
Smørrebrød
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Smørrebrød

Denmark's open-faced sandwiches are equal parts decadent and decorative.
Gastro Obscura
Chaga Mushroom
Gastro Obscura
Story

Chaga Mushroom

This coffee additive and killer of trees has a reputation as a medical marvel.
Gastro Obscura
Turkish Coffee
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Turkish Coffee

Locals joke that you should be able to “float a horseshoe” on the thick brew.
Gastro Obscura
Pork Roll
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Pork Roll

Don't call the crown jewel of New Jersey "Canadian bacon."
Gastro Obscura
Birch Beer
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Birch Beer

This cousin of root beer has a long history and a surprisingly minty taste.
Gastro Obscura
Canned Bread
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Canned Bread

A New England tradition of steaming bread in coffee tins gave rise to this niche snack.
Gastro Obscura
Berliner Weisse
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Berliner Weisse

Pink or green syrup turns a historic German ale into a tart, sweet delight.
Gastro Obscura
Rauchbier
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Rauchbier

Only a few breweries still make smoky beer in this classic German style.
Gastro Obscura
Maca
Gastro Obscura
Story

Maca

The Andean root once fueled Inca warriors.
Gastro Obscura
Midas Touch Ale
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Midas Touch Ale

A brewery consulted drinking vessels found in the ancient king’s tomb to recreate a 2,700-year-old elixir.
Gastro Obscura
Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout

What began as an April Fools' Day prank ended in a testicle-spiked beer.
Gastro Obscura
Nathan’s Famous French Fry Fork
Gastro Obscura
Story

Nathan’s Famous French Fry Fork

The hot dog chain’s charming “bi-dent” picks up potatoes with ease.
Gastro Obscura
Egg Cream
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Egg Cream

A fizzy, chocolate drink that harkens back to the days of Brooklyn soda fountains.
Gastro Obscura
Absinthe Spoon
Gastro Obscura
Story

Absinthe Spoon

This flat, silver spoon holds an exalted place in the mystery and ritual of absinthe drinking.
Gastro Obscura
Chapulines
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Chapulines

Deep-fried grasshoppers make a tangy, crispy taco filling.
Gastro Obscura
Mamajuana
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Mamajuana

This alcoholic drink has medicinal properties (and sometimes contains turtle penis).
Gastro Obscura
Cotton Candy Grapes
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Cotton Candy Grapes

A crossbred table grape variety that tastes an awful lot like spun sugar.
Gastro Obscura
Shoofly Pie
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Shoofly Pie

Mornings in Amish country once called for pie-cake and coffee.
Gastro Obscura
Potato Doughnuts
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Potato Doughnuts

The first American doughnut chain used spuds.
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
Smoked Puffin
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Smoked Puffin

This controversial meat is ingrained in ancient Nordic culture.
Gastro Obscura