December 19, 2022

GASTRO OBSCURA  The World’s Oldest Soups  Pot-au-feu—also known as perpetual stew, forever soup, hunter’s pot, bottomless broth, master stock, or mother broth—is a culinary tradition that is practiced around the world. Food historians zero into two global regions for the origins of soups simmered for years or even decades. The first is China, and more specifically in the cuisines of Canton and Fujian. The second? France. Curious to see how you can make your own perpetual broth? Here’s how to play it safe.  READ MORE → PEST CONTROL Fighting Fire Ants A native of Central and South America, the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) has been named one of the “world’s worst invasive species” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They’ve landed in Hawaii, posing not just a threat to the ecosystem, but also to subsistence farming, a traditional way of life for many on the islands. Across the islands, a coalition consisting of the Hawaii Ant Lab and local, state, and federal organizations has mobilized to fight infestations. One of their tools: Peanut butter. READ MORE → SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK Peppermint Pig Time for a smashing holiday tradition. On Christmas Day in Saratoga Springs, New York, families often gather around tables to smash candies with hammers. This is the tradition of the peppermint pig, a small, pink candy with roots dating back to the 19th century. Delightful! READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Get 20% Off Gift Cards for Courses From now through December 24, you can buy gift cards for live, online courses at a 20% discount! Gift cards make great gifts for the lifelong learners and hobbyists in your life, and can be applied to any live, online course we offer. To redeem this offer, use the code JOY20 upon checkout. BUY NOW → WHEELS UP Christmas Roller-Skating Tradition Liz Rebecca Alarcón was born in Miami, but grew up between there and Caracas, Venezuela, until the age of 15. One of her fondest holiday memories during the holiday season involves late evening dinners with traditional Venezuelan foods, a ceremony around placing the baby Jesus in their nativity set, and…roller skating. According to Alarcón, las patinatas—”the skating”— is a Venezuelan holiday tradition that began in the 1950s, primarily in bigger cities such as Caracas, though it’s died down in the past decade. READ MORE → SOMERSET, ENGLAND Vicars' Close This is the oldest residential street in Europe, but it’s more than just a pretty street. It also features an optical illusion. An optical trick created by the space between the two rows of houses makes the street look longer when standing near the main entrance; wander to the other end of the street, however, and look back to find that the street looks considerably shorter. READ MORE → SPONSORED BY VISIT COLORADO An Aprés-Ski Guide to Colorado Colorado may be powder paradise for skiers and snowboarders, but the fun doesn’t have to end once the skiing fun is over. There’s no shortage of off-slope wonder to experience, from a nearly 150-year-old railway to a Tajikistan tea house. Here are eighteen unexpected après-ski destinations to visit—even once you’ve hung up your skis. LEARN MORE → WINTER COCKTAILS Explosive Winter Punch Outside of Pennsylvania, boilo is rarely seen, and its main ingredient, Four Queens whiskey, is practically impossible to source over the state border. But for many residents of Pennsylvania coal country, the drink is an indispensable winter treat that is both a cold-weather cocktail and an unlikely soother of colds and the flu. However, due to its main ingredient, 101-proof whiskey, boilo needs to be treated with wary respect, whether drinking it by the glass or heating it on the stove. READ MORE → ALEXANDRIA, INDIANA World's Largest Ball of Paint This artifact came into being in 1977 when Alexandria resident Mike Carmichael let his young son cover a baseball in blue house paint, a hobby he had invented during his years working at a paint shop. After that, they continued to add new layers, one over the other, causing the ball to slowly expand with each application. Today, after more than 27, 000 coats of paint, the ball weighs around two and a half tons. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Scotland's Clans, Castles, & Cèilidhs Join a globe-trotting Scottish bagpiper on a journey through the history, culture and stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands. We'll go behind the scenes of Scotland's oldest and most revered kilt-makers, dine with the Earl of Cromartie, current chief of Clan Mackenzie, and drop into the seat of their rivals, Clan Munro. Along the way, we'll learn about the Jacobite rebellion, sip Scotch whisky, explore historic castles and ruins, and enjoy the music and dance of a traditional Cèilidh.  BOOK NOW →