All of August is Rum Month and Cheers to National Rum Day! As a rum scholar and the researcher and “rum” entry writer for more than one major Food & Drink Encyclopedia, have so much rum content & commentary past and present to share with you — of course in the most engaging ways ….
just a crisp bit of history for now:
…Genetically related to watermelons 🍉, cucumbers 🥒 ( gherkins, etc. ) originate from all over Africa…
And Black Americans (women in particular) were not only known for but lauded and praised for their pickling prowess for centuries …
I couldn’t resist snapping this pic of a beautiful bowl of cucumbers Chef Denzell Washington was working with at Old Stone House of Brooklyn for one of the hearth meals programs we collaborated on. [I believe he sliced and diced some into the grilled watermelon salad…]
Become a TFG Patreon Supporter for more [pics, videos, food stories, food history, menus and more]…
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“Maple Syrup Saturday is celebrated every third Saturday of March and this year it will be observed on March 15…” ~ national day today
and I’m letting y’all know on the 11th b/c it’s otherwise a blank food/drink holiday day lol 😆
My fave thing to use maple syrup for is in lieu of the bartender’s basic ‘simple syrup’ when making a high quality cocktail 🍹 at home … [hyperlink to the Langston Hughes “hard daddy” cocktail created in Nov 2026 at an interracial party he attended and named after one of his famous blues poems]. Maple syrup is a star ingredient…
Photos & Text / Copy By: Tonya Hopkins aka The Food Griot: “Sharing Savory Stories on the Makings of America’s Cuisines”…
ABOVE: that time I had impromptu company coming over and needed simple snacks so I kitchen-scissored & fried up some homemade corn chips from a package of tortillas I found in my fridge. It took about the same amount of time (maybe less) as it would have to run to the nearest store to buy a bag. The tortillas weren’t stale yet but were moving in that direction day by day anyway. Plus, unlike many most modern folks i actually enjoy frying things up erry now & then (at the right temp using healthy oils with high heat thresholds). But that’s a topic for a whole ‘nother post…
BELOW: still life snapshots of “restaurant style” chips served up at establishment on both coasts — and at home (family friend Corina’s in LA….)
Rarely are corn chips eaten on their own, so what better day than today to pick your fave dip (more options than ever!) and crunch away ….
Corn chips with or without salsa are an excellent bar food snack or cocktail accompaniment. Their crunchy oily saltiness combo contains the code to their pair-ability. Oooh i think i’m channeling a CHIPS & SPIRITS PAIRING with the amazing Eléctrico Mezcal]. Reach out via email, comments below or fill out my short Get In Touch form to receive a discount code for your first purchase of this super premium artisan spirit…
And if you’re already part of my Patreon, be sure to utilize your perks & benefits for deeper dives on topics of interest to you
THIS LINK takes you back to the whole month calendar aerial view to explore more food & drink ‘holidays’ …
SIGN-UP to receive a colorful copy of my newsletter in your inbox ONCE a MONTH. Have a look at the online web browser version of January’s digest HERE..
The majority of apricots in the US grow in California. a climate quite suitable and similar to where apricots grow in other parts of the world…
A snapshot from that time I was asked to designed an Uncle Nearest cocktail for Harlem Hops in celebration of the launch of their then new nonprofit Harlem Hopes…..Can you read what that last ingredient says ? Yup BASIL! Why basil, you ask? well most folks don’t know it originates in Central Africa — a region where many of our African Americans ancestors also originated… but the important mixology answer is that it tastes AMAZING when smashed into apricot juice, nectar or purée + a really well made American whiskey or bourbon (the latter of which was basically created by enslaved African heritage people…) In this instance Uncle Nearest was the perfect choice. They named this drink “The Masterful” — which might still be on the menu if you ever find yourself up in Harlem (ask them to make one for you if it’s not, the bartenders there are talented!!) but if not, lucky you who can reach out to me on my Patreon platform to show (or at least tell) you how to make one at home :)
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If you’re already part of my Patreon community, pls do take advantage of the perks there for more commentary and convos to learn more on any particular topic. If you’re not part of my Patreon here’s the link to JOIN thanks!
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All of August is Rum Month and Cheers to National Rum Day! As a rum scholar and the researcher and “rum” entry writer for both The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food & Drink in America AND The encyclopedia of Southern Culture‘s Foodways edition (+ many talks and tastings i’ve done on craft rums from throughout the Americas and elsewhere abroad) — i have A LOT of rum content & commentary past and present to share with you throughout this month and always.
“Maple Syrup Saturday is celebrated every third Saturday of March and this year it will be observed on March 16…” ~ national day today
My fave thing to use maple syrup for is in lieu of the bartender’s basic ‘simple syrup’ when making a high quality cocktail 🍹 at home … [hyperlink to the Langston Hughes “hard daddy” & to the MLK cocktail trio]
ABOVE: that time I had impromptu company coming over and needed simple snacks so I kitchen-scissored & fried up some homemade corn chips from a package of tortillas I found in my fridge. It took about the same amount of time (maybe less) as it would have to run to the nearest store to buy a bag. The tortillas weren’t stale yet but were moving in that direction day by day anyway. Plus, unlike many most modern folks i actually enjoy frying things up erry now & then (at the right temp using healthy oils with high heat thresholds). But that’s a topic for a whole ‘nother post…
BELOW: still life snapshots of “restaurant style” chips served up at establishment on both coasts — and at home (family friend Corina’s in LA….)
Rarely are corn chips eaten on their own, so what better day than today to pick your fave dip (more options than ever!) and crunch away ….
Corn chips with or without salsa are an excellent bar food snack or cocktail accompaniment. Their crunchy oily saltiness combo contains the code to their pair-ability. Oooh i think i’m channeling a CHIPS & SPIRITS PAIRING with the amazing Eléctrico Mezcal]. Reach out via email, comments below or fill out my short Get In Touch form to receive a discount code for your first purchase of this super premium artisan spirit…
And if you’re already part of my Patreon, be sure to utilize your perks & benefits for deeper dives on topics of interest to you
THIS LINK takes you back to the whole month calendar aerial view to explore more food & drink ‘holidays’ …
SIGN-UP to receive a colorful copy of my newsletter in your inbox ONCE a MONTH. Have a look at the online web browser version of January’s digest HERE..
The majority of apricots in the US grow in California. a climate quite suitable and similar to where apricots grow in other parts of the world…
A snapshot from that time I was asked to designed an Uncle Nearest cocktail for Harlem Hops in celebration of the launch of their then new nonprofit Harlem Hopes…..Can you read what that last ingredient says ? Yup BASIL! Why basil, you ask? well most folks don’t know it originates in Central Africa — a region where many of our African Americans ancestors also originated… but the important mixology answer is that it tastes AMAZING when smashed into apricot juice, nectar or purée + a really well made American whiskey or bourbon (the latter of which was basically created by enslaved African heritage people…) In this instance Uncle Nearest was the perfect choice. They named this drink “The Masterful” — which might still be on the menu if you ever find yourself up in Harlem (ask them to make one for you if it’s not, the bartenders there are talented!!) but if not, lucky you who can reach out to me on my Patreon platform to show (or at least tell) you how to make one at home :)
************************************************
If you’re already part of my Patreon community, pls do take advantage of the perks there for more commentary and convos to learn more on any particular topic. If you’re not part of my Patreon here’s the link to JOIN thanks!
************************************************
All of August is Rum Month and Cheers to National Rum Day! As a rum scholar and the researcher and “rum” entry writer for both The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food & Drink in America AND The encyclopedia of Southern Culture‘s Foodways edition (+ many talks and tastings i’ve done on craft rums from throughout the Americas and elsewhere abroad) — i have A LOT of rum content & commentary past and present to share with you throughout this month and always.
