Thanks to American chemist and botanist George Washington Carver, we've found plenty of uses for the peanut, from dynamite to insecticides to axle grease, peanuts have become a necessity in society. However, many southern territories have taken a liking to simply boiling the crop and eating them as is and Georgia has claimed the crown for the now highly-popularized snack. The history of the boiled peanut dates back to the Civil War when Confederate soldiers lacked the necessary food supplies to feed a mass amount of people. So, what's the next best thing to hold over an entire platoon? None other than boiled peanuts of course.
Boiled peanuts take on an entirely different eating experience than the usually roasted peanuts many have become accustomed to. The outer shell becomes soft to the touch and the nut itself takes on the texture of a legume. While traditionally boiled in seasoned water with spices and enjoyed with a soft drink or beer, some hardcore boiled peanut aficionados have gone as far as to boil their peanuts in beer or add peanuts in their Cokes.
For the past few years, we've been seeing more and more food halls dominate the retail industry. The craze has swept Los Angeles and New York by storm and is now making its way to Miami. In Magic City alone, ten of these food parks have opened just recently. The mania is even set to triple in size by the year 2020.
Now more than ever, more people have been adopting a vegan lifestyle. A survey in the United Kingdom reveals that 3.5 million residents have turned vegan, while 20 percent have at least tried the concept. People are now wanting to cut down on meat, and the food industry is giving in to the demand. Even wineries have started stocking up on vegan wines.
Due to increased awareness and desire to help the environment, companies have become more committed to eco-friendly food packaging. Previously, companies didnt care much about producing a ton of waste; but now, efforts to reuse, reduce, and recycle are much more apparent. For instance, PepsiCo has committed to creating completely recyclable packaging by the year 2025.
Who would have thought that young millennials would be into rum? These barrel-aged, small-batch rums are the latest trend in booze, and now even British companies such as Essexs English Spirit are joining in. The spirit is one of the most popular and versatile forms of alcohol, whether it be sweet or strong, dark or white, neat with ice or served with coke.
Nowadays, people have become more accepting of imperfection; when it comes to fresh produce that is. Imperfect Produce is just one of the grocery delivery companies that serve physically flawed fruits and vegetables. This effort is geared toward reducing waste, and the disfigured foods are often turned into hummus, crisps, and juices.
Various Asian restaurants have been popping up recently, and Sri Lankan cuisine is slowly making its way to the western palate. Sri Lankan dishes such as kottu roti, pol sambol, coconut relish, and hoppers, are being introduced to the market, and people are loving it. Unlike before, the Sri Lankan flavor is finally being recognized as an individual cuisine, separate from Indian food.