50 Foods #50: Golden Rice

Origin: Switzerland and Germany
Date: 2000
Type: Genetically modified rice

This genetically modified rice is said to help children who suffer from vitamin A deficiency.

Would I eat/drink it?: I do enjoy rice, but this one wouldn’t be on my list anytime soon!

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Well, we’ve come to the end of this gastronomic journey. While the book was interesting, I think some of the foods were not significant. I enjoyed learning about the foods I did not know of and although I know the aim of the book was to focus on foods with a rich historical background concerning wars and myths that messed with the origin of food, I think quite a few important foods were missed. Foods such as croissants, coffee, wine, Philly steak, apples, cheese, and popcorn. History-wise or not, I think they played a HUGE part of food culture. The final rating for this book is…

NEXT UP:

I’ll be reviewing 4 memoirs as I dislike them and I want to get them out of the way. One is by Nick Carter, another by Zlatan, an autobio on Messi and a memoir by Derrick Coleman Jr. 

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50 Foods #49: Powdered Milk

Origin: America and other parts of the world
Date: 1990s onwards
Type: Dry milk

I guess everyone is familiar with powdered milk. Back in 1295, the Mongolians boiled milk, when the fat rose to the top they’ll skim it off to make butter. The defatted milk was then left to dry in the sun as reported by Marco Polo. 

Today, powdered milk is spray dried.

Would I eat/drink it?: When I was younger, I used to it eat it with sugar as a treat and drink it in tea, but I haven’t consumed it in years.

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50 Foods #48: Starbucks Coffee

Origin: Seattle
Date: 1971
Type: Coffee shop coffee

What can I say? America runs on coffee. 😉

Would I eat/drink it?: I haven’t been to Starbucks in a long time, but I love their strawberries and crème frappuccino.

50 Foods #47: Campbell’s Soup

Origin: USA
Date: 1962
Type: Canned soup

Here’s a…

Andy Warhol did individual paintings of all the 32 varieties of the soup Campbell’s were making back then and they are now displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Would I eat/drink it?: I’ve never had canned soup and I don’t intend to start now.

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50 Foods #46: Swanson TV Dinner

Origin: America
Date: 1953
Type: Convenience food

It is now simply Swanson and if you’re too tired or too lazy or simply can’t cook and you own a microwave, then you know what to do. 😉

Would I eat/drink it?: No thank you!

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Food #45: Birds Eye Frozen Fish

Origin: America
Date: 1915
Type: Quick frozen fish

Clarence Birdseye was the man behind this product and Swanson later produced their brand of TV Dinner.

Would I eat/drink it?: I don’t like frozen food.

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Food #44: Anzac Biscuits

Origin: Australia and New Zealand
Date: 1915
Type: Oatmeal cookie

Anzac Day is on April 25th and every year, these biscuits are made to be sold before and on the day. It is a day of remembrance for the servicemen and women of the two countries who died in the war.

Would I eat/drink it?: I love these biscuits!

50 Foods #43: Hamburger

Origin: Somewhere in America
Date: Late 19th century
Type: Ground beef in a bun

Although the hamburger is a culinary icon in America, the exact origin of this gastronomy delight is unknown. The founder of White Castle was credited for shoving meat and vegetables between two slices of bread which was called the Hamburger Sandwich, while other historians believed that it was a cook, Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas who created the first hamburger. Some congresswoman said that the hamburger was first created by a Danish immigrant Louis Lassen in New Haven, Connecticut.

While we’re playing Burger Wars, there are claims that Hamburg, Germany is the home to the first burger. They were called Hamburg steaks (onions, garlic, pepper and salt which were then formed into patties without a bread or a bun). Fast forward to German immigrants arriving in New York and Chicago and making a living by opening restaurants because you know how Europeans love spreading their culinary delights! If I recall it correctly, it was during the Industrial Revolution that one cook shoved the patty between two slices of bread and voila! The Hamburg sandwich was birthed. It’s too bad that this cook’s name is not on record. History needs to tell us why.

By the way, why is a hamburger called a hamburger? That is the real question?

Would I eat/drink it?: I’ve been cutting down on fast food so I haven’t had a Burger King burger in months.

50 Foods #42: Coca-Cola

Origin: America
Date: 1886
Type: Soft drink

Coca-Cola is said to be unhealthy for it fuels obesity and diabetes.

On the bright side, I read somewhere that Coke can remove blood stains from your clothing, dye from your hair, clean dirty coins and clean the tile grout. You can even use it to clean the toilet! 

So while it might be unhealthy to consume, it’s quite good at helping you to get chores done! 😉

Would I eat/drink it?: I’ve stopped drinking this beverage many years ago.

50 Foods #41: American Buffalo

Origin: The Great Plains of America
Date: 19th century
Type: Large mammal

Also known as American bison had nearly become extinct in the 19th century due to excessive hunting. I tend to associate this animal with the Native Americans.

Would I eat/drink it?: My stomach is actually fine and I’ll like to keep it that way.

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