November 07, 2022

GASTRO OBSCURA  Korea’s ‘Fist Rice’  In May of 1980, the South Korean military dictator Chun Doo-hwan and his forces imprisoned, interrogated, tortured, and in some cases killed thousands of civilians in response to Gwangju residents demanding democracy. These events are referred to as “5.18,” marking the first day of the Gwangju Uprising. The food fueling the fight for freedom was jumeokbap, or “fist rice”—jumbo rice balls featuring fresh rice, salt, and sesame seeds. Today, the rice ball is an edible encapsulation of Gwangju’s history and moral fiber.  READ MORE → SCIENCE TALES What’s The Biggest Bee? Meet Megachile pluto, also known as Wallace’s giant bee, which is four times larger than a honeybee and measures about the length of a human thumb. The bee hadn’t been seen alive since 1981 and was feared lost, until researchers found the bee again in the Indonesian islands of North Maluku. They were thrilled. Who wouldn’t be? Unfortunately for them, things did not quite go as they’d hoped. READ MORE → DELORAINE, AUSTRALIA Jimmy Possum Chair The Great Western Tiers in Tasmania is a region of dense, dark forests, sleeting rain, and Antarctic winds—at turns wild and beautiful, rugged and unforgiving. It is perhaps because of this harsh environment that one of the most comfortable and well-built chair designs in the world was born. READ MORE → SPONSORED BY LOS ANGELES TOURISM 6 Rare Shopping Finds Los Angeles has long been famous for its amazing shopping. It’s a paradise for those looking for the latest in haute couture and cutting-edge designer styles. But L.A. is also home to some of the coolest offbeat shops in America, the perfect place to indulge your inner explorer. Want to put a spin on your next book acquisition trip? There’s a store for that. Or are you more into the avant-garde accessories scene? There’s a store for that, too.  LEARN MORE → ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES A Viking Warrior Woman’s Secret Life In 1871, on the island of Birka, Sweden, the lavish grave of a Viking warrior came to light. Around the seated body were the remains of two sacrificed horses, a variety of weapons known to the Viking world, and a board game that indicates the strategic thinking and authority of a war leader. Everything told scholars that the man buried in what is known as grave Bj 581 was a prominent, well-respected Viking warrior. But when DNA tests were conducted in 2017, a new story emerged. This was a prominent warrior, all right, but the occupant of Bj 581 wasn’t a man. She was a woman. READ MORE → GARRETSON, SOUTH DAKOTA Palisades State Park Glittering pink quartzite 50 stories high split by a babbling creek is an unexpected sight in the vast plains of South Dakota. Despite being the second smallest state park in the state, Palisades attracts hikers, fishers, paddlers, campers, and rock climbers. READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA COURSES Demystifying Cheese with Jasper Hill Farm What differentiates Gruyère from Gouda? What is it that makes some cheeses so fragrant, and why is that something we seek out? In this course with Zoe Brickley of Jasper Hill Farm, we'll look at everything from the dairy cows behind our favorite cheeses to the cheesemaking and ripening processes. Along the way, we'll explore how visual cues, sensory descriptions, and production styles can inform our cheese tasting experience. ENROLL TODAY → ‘TIS THE SEASON Apple Hunting Apple picking season might be coming to a close, but for Tom Brown, apple season is forever. For nearly 25 years, Brown has searched for Appalachia’s lost heirloom apples, reclaiming about 1,200 varieties with his two-acre orchard, Heritage Apples, containing 700 of the rarest. Thousands of varieties probably still exist, but saving them is a race against time. READ MORE → STRATFORD, ONTARIO The Little Prince Cinema Big screen, little cinema. Located in a historic building in Stratford, Ontario, this 12-seat theater has been recognized as the smallest purpose-built movie theater in the world. Inside, the Little Prince Cine-Lounge measures approximately 16 square meters, and is modeled after an opulent Victorian theater. READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA TRIPS Barcelona & Catalonia: A Feast for the Senses Devour colorful cuisine and world-class wine on a journey from the picturesque streets of Barcelona to the majestic monasteries of Montsant. You’ll explore Roman ruins, Gothic cathedrals, and UNESCO-designated monasteries, sampling a little bit of everything that grows between Catalonia’s idyllic mar i muntanya (sea and mountains). BOOK NOW →