Food

What is Kefir?

Kefir is a fermented milk food, derived from cow, goat or sheep’s milk and is thought to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains in West Asia between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

It is made from gelatinous white particles called “grains”. Kefir is unique, as no other milk culture form grains.

Within these grains are a bacteria/yeast mixture which when they clump together with casein (milk proteins) and complex sugars form the Kefir grains.

It has high levels of vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, biotin, folate, enzymes and probiotics and tasted a bit like yoghurt.

Fermented foods are great for boosting the immune system, the gut which then improves digestion and helps build up bone density.

Little wonder then that Kefir is now considered as a trendy health drink in the UK, with brands such as Nourish Kefir and Bio-tiful Kefir proving extremely popular in supermarkets.

What is Antipasto?

You’ve probably never heard of it and might even think its someone who doesn’t like pasta, but as the name suggests – Antipasto – originates from Italy and is a form of first course meal.

It is a light course and a traditional antipasto includes cured meats, olives, various cheeses and some vegetables is oil or vinegar.

Antipasto means “before the meal” in Italian.

What is Pen Oen?

This is a traditional Welsh dish. It’s a stew made up of various lamb parts, like the liver, kidneys, brains and other various pieces diced up to make the casserole.

It is normally served with mashed potato and vegtables for a tasty meal, and is still very popular in North Wales.

Another version would be the tradition Welsh Cawl, which is a broth made up of leeks, carrots, swede, parsnip and potato with a leg of lamb all boiled in a saucepan together.

Where did pizza originate?

The earliest record shows that around 1000 B.C. the word pizziare, meaning “to pinch” or “to pluck” was first used and it is believed that the word referred to plucking the hot pie from the oven.

However, some experts think that pizza evolved from Egyptian flatbread, most agree that Italian pizza actually evolved from concepts introduced by the Etruscans to the north and the Greeks to the south.

Etruscans made a crude bread baked under heated stones. Once cooked, it was flavoured with numerous toppings. It served as both plate and utensil because it was used to sop up gravies or broth. The idea of a flavoured bread eventually evolved into the Italian focaccia.

The Greeks used theis edible plate in a different manner than the Etruscans. Instead of flavouring the bread after cooking, they baked flavourings directly on the bread, which became the main course.

The Romans took both concepts and created a number of similar dishes. The idea spread throughout Italy and today there are hundreds of pizza variations from region to region.

Eating carrots help you see in the dark

It is true! Carrots contain carotene, which the body uses to make vitamin A, which is good for your eyesight – especially for seeing in the dark.

But to clear up any lose ends, it can’t help you see in pitch black!

Around the World where some countries diet is poor and lacking in vitamin A, it can develop into blindness.

We tend to have better diets here and our body produces enough vitamin A, so extra carrots won’t improve our night vision, but will just keep our vitamin level high enough to maintain good eyesight.