Tag: Food

Cooking and music: what do they have in common? The winning combinations – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

What are the agreements and disagreements between cooking and music? There pasta calls parmesan (or pecorino) and rejects the polenta; L’roast call the garlic (and rosemary) and repels basil; The cotechino calls the puree (or lentils) and rejects the salad. These are the “food associations” that Fernand Braudel spoke about, underlining the need for those who study the history of nutrition not to focus on the single ingredient or single product, but on their combinations; the “associations”, precisely.

Designing a few years ago for the M9 museum of Venice Mestre the exhibition Taste! Italians at the table 1970-2050together with Laura Lazzaroni and Marco Bolasco we thought of dedicating a special one section on the theme of “agreements”, that is, the ingredients that in the gastronomic field – just like notes in music – are recalled almost automatically, as if they were “natural” associations. Which, however, are not “natural”, because there is always a cultural choice in preferring and choosing a certain agreement rather than another. This applies in cook like in music: parallelism that we have already discussed, which I am happy to return to. In music, a chord is the combination of some notes that are played together and appear “right”, well harmonized with a dominant note: in tonal music, if I start from C, the simultaneous sounds will be E and G. Other cultures, ancient and modern, they love different combinations. Something similar happens in the kitchen, where a certain cultural tradition – for example the Italian one – will get me used to associating it butter and sage with low-fat tortelli, tomato and basil with spaghetti. German culture will not fail to associate frankfurters with mustard, speck with gherkins (in turn combined with vinegar), boiled pork with potatoes and sauerkraut…

The parallel between notes and flavors is recurring in literature. It was suggested, among others, by the Englishman John Evelyn, who at the beginning of the eighteenth century published a treatise on salads largely derived from Italian works. «In the composition of a salad he wrote, «each plant must play its part (…) in the same way as musical notes. In this search for harmony, even dissonances are welcomed, because they “strike and enliven, so as to distinguish and make the rest emerge better”. It was the ancient principle of the contrast of flavors, not only a gustatory theme (a pinch of bitter makes you appreciate the sweet better), but also nutritional: Galenic medicine taught that each flavor expresses a different quality, and putting them together (the qualities) is good for your health. For this reason, Salvatore Massonio from L’Aquila – one of Evelyn’s sources – recommended mixing herbs “adjusting the hot with the cold, the humid with the dry, the sour with the sweet, the bitter with the sweet”. Here then are the dissonances, the “agreements-disagreements”, not only between one herb and another, but between all sorts of products: melon and ham, cheese and pears… tasteful solutions that have remained over the centuries.

Food on the plane: what you can and cannot bring in your suitcase – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

What are the rules for transporting food on a plane? Returning from a trip, the most appreciated souvenirs (for oneself and for others) remain the typical products to eat and drink but, when you have to take a flight, taking them with you can be complex. Not only for reasons of space – especially if you only have hand luggage – but for rules issues.

Food on the plane: the rules you need to know

Indeed, there are various limitations to be respected. They concern first and foremost liquids and liquid foods when traveling within the European Union, and many other categories of food – above all cured meats and dairy products – when instead the destination (or origin) is a non-EU country, such as the United States or Australia, which also impose very heavy fines for violators. How to orient yourself, then? We asked the experts at AirHelp, the largest organization in the world specialized in defending the rights of air passengers, with a network of law firms in more than 30 countries, including Italy. Here’s what you need to know.

Can I bring food in my hand luggage?

The general rule is that You can carry solid and packaged foods in your hand luggage. The AirHelp experts, in fact, explain that «Sandwiches, cereals, sweets and crackers, even if homemade, and as long as they are appropriately sealed and placed in transparent bags, are allowed. There are limitations, however, regarding “liquid” foods. «They must respect the rules on liquids say the experts, «and therefore do not exceed the quantity of 100 ml. Examples of liquid foods? Soft cheeses such as camembert or mozzarella, spreadable creams, desserts such as cheesecake, but also pickles and pickles. «Even canned foods say the AirHelp experts, «must follow the same rules as liquids. Cans in particular do not x-ray well and are difficult to test, which poses a safety risk. It is recommended not to carry them with you to avoid problems.” No limitations – it is worth remembering this – for any type of food or drink purchased directly at the airport.

Can I bring food in my checked baggage?

Regarding hold baggage, the general rule is “green light”. You can bring whatever food you want, even liquid, and without limitations. What makes the difference is the origin and/or destination of your flight because there are some categories of food for which different countries set very strict limits, as we will see later.

Are there any restrictions on food and milk for babies on the plane?

«Among the foods allowed in hand and hold baggage there are also those for children such as artificial milk, breast milk, baby food and juices Of fruit, the AirHelp experts point out. «Drinks and liquid foods in hand luggage must always be within the quantity established by airport security. In the EU”, they reiterate, “the quantity allowed for liquid foods is less than 100 ml and everything must fit into a 1 liter transparent bag”.

How much alcohol can you bring on the plane?

Alcohol deserves a separate chapter. «Alcoholic drinks are allowed at security checks as long as they respect the 100 ml limit. If they exceed the limits, they cannot be transported in hand luggage and must be placed in the hold, while respecting the specific rules of each country. For example, if you fly into the EU from a non-EU country, you can bring one liter of alcohol with a volume greater than 22% without paying VAT and excise duties. Furthermore, it is not allowed to bring alcohol into countries where it is illegal, such as Saudi Arabia.”

Can you bring seeds and seedlings onto the plane?

Even when it comes to seeds and seedlings, it’s good to know the rule and the exception. «It is possible to bring seeds on the plane, both in hold baggage and in hand luggage: however, if you fly outside the EU you must follow the rules established by the destination country, say the experts at AirHelp, underlining that what makes the big difference with respect to what you can bring – or not bring on the plane – is always the place from which you come or to which you travel. “Destinations outside the EU can be very strict with regards to fresh foods, in particular fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products”, continue the AirHelp experts, recalling that if you do not respect the rules you can incur in very heavy fines.

The rules on food on planes when traveling to countries outside the European Union

Basically, it is good to remember at least three rules: theThe European Union prohibits the transport of cheeses, cured meats and filled foods if you arrive from a non-European countryunless it is Andorra, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland. Australia, on the other hand, prohibits the import of fruit, including dried fruit, cured meats, spices and seeds, and has specific limitations for cured meats and milk, as do the USA. For this reason, if you travel to non-EU countries, it is always a good idea to consult the embassy websites, but also to declare the presence of food in your luggage at the time of check-in. Returning to the example of the United States, fines for those who do not respect the rules can reach 10 thousand dollars.

FAO: what are the global food prospects – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

A new report fromFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reveals that the production outlook for most basic food products is favorable, but extreme climate events, Growing geopolitical tensions and sudden political changes represent a risk to global food production systems and could potentially alter the delicate balance of supply and demand and dampen the outlook for global food trade and security.

According to the report, global maize production will see a notable increase thanks to increased plantations in Brazil and the United States of America, however, a decrease in the trade volume of coarse grains and rice is expected in 2023/24. Furthermore, global trade in vegetable oils and fats will experience a modest decline, while global production and consumption is expected to expand.

The report highlights that, several sectors including sugar, dairy, meat and fish, will see a decrease in trading volume in the coming year. This situation could affect the delicate balance between supply and demand, putting global food security at risk.

The count of food imports in the world

The Food Outlook also presents updated estimates on global spending on food imports in 2023projecting a increase of 1.8% compared to 2022, reaching 2 trillion dollars. The majority of this increase is driven by high- and upper-middle-income countries, with fruit and vegetables, beverages and sugar accounting for the predominant share. In reverse, a contraction of 11% is expected in aggregate spending on food imports in low-income countries, suggesting challenges such as depreciating currencies, rising debt and high transportation costs.

The report highlights that changes in international food prices significantly influence these developments. While the prices of fruit, vegetables and sugars are increasing, those of animal and vegetable oils are decreasing. The volume effect on the global food import bill is expected to exceed the price effect, with some exceptions for high-value or processed products such as coffee, tea, cocoa and spices.

In the end, the report highlights the contraction of food imports in less developed countries, in developing countries that are net importers of food products and in sub-Saharan African countries. This suggests that factors such as weakening currencies, rising debt and high transportation costs are hampering their ability to access international food markets.

In summary, the FAO’s Food Outlook offers a detailed overview of the outlook for global food productionhighlighting the challenges and opportunities the sector will face in the coming years.

Source FAO