Saturday, April 2, 2005 Food

TODAY’S QUOTE
“A single glass of champagne imparts a feeling of exhilaration. The nerves
are braced, the imagination is agreeably stirred; the wits become more
nimble. A bottle produces the contrary effect. Excess causes a comatose
insensibility. So it is with war: and the quality of both is best discovered
by sipping.”
Winston Churchill (1871-1947) The Wit of Sir Winston (1965)

TODAY IN FOOD HISTORY
* National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
* Feast of Acan, the Mayan God of Wine
* Pascua Florida Day - State Day in Florida.
* St. Urban of Langres' Day, patron of barrel makers, coopers, and vintners.

742 Charlemagne was born. Charlemagne, Charles I, Charles the Great, King of
the Franks, Charles le Grand, Carolus Magnus, Karl Der Grosse, King of the
Lombards, master of Western Europe, Emperor.
Some of the food related 'facts' I have come across related to Charlemagne:
* the peacock was first served in Europe during his reign;
* Sauerbraten was invented by Charlemagne;
* Roquefort cheese was a favorite of his;
* the knife began to be used to eat food for the first time during his reign
(rather than the fingers);
* Roses were used to cover tables for meals.
I have no real corroboration for any of these 'facts'.

1819 The periodical, 'American Farmer' was founded by John Skinner

1827 Joseph Dixon began manufacturing the first lead (graphite) pencils.
Necessary to write recipes and menus

1840 Emile Zola was born. French writer and critic who was also known as a
gourmand. His detailed descriptions of simple meals, banquets and eating in
his novels are among the best to be found anywhere. He was also known for
his own luxury dinner parties. "What will be the death of me are
bouillabaisses, food spiced with pimiento, shellfish, and a load of
exquisite rubbish which I eat in disproportionate quantities."

1863 THE RICHMOND BREAD RIOTS - Shortages of food caused hundreds of angry
women gathered in Richmond, Virginia to march on the governor's office and
then on the government commissary to demand bread. It ended in a riot when
they broke into the commissary and then other shops & buildings and carried
out anything they could carry. Even the hospital reported losing over 300
pounds of beef. Arrests were made, but at the request of authorities, the
newspapers downplayed the incident, and records were later destroyed when
the Confederate government fled and burned much of the town behind them.

DID YOU KNOW? Food Trivia
Zwieback is German for 'twice baked', and refers to a sweetened bread (or
rusk) that is sliced and then rebaked or toasted until dry and dry and
crisp. The use of the term in English dates back to the 1890s.




Roy Crockett
www.ricrockett.com
roy@...
Northern Virginia



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