Food
Oyster Slurpers: A Tale of Two Rivers
For thousands of years the Thames provided London’s inhabitants with a plentiful supply and variety of fish. Until the 1820s locally caught fish was the city’s staple diet. Subsequent pollution of the river drove many professional fishermen and their families into financial ruin because of the collapse of fish populations.
Up until the twentieth century New York Harbor oysters reigned as the quintessential New York food long before pizza, pretzels, bagels, or hot dogs took their place. The metropolis once was a Big Oyster. There too, reckless management of the marine environment led to the obliteration of a huge natural resource. [Read more…] about Oyster Slurpers: A Tale of Two Rivers
The Cheese Factory System (Virtual Program)
Just North of Rome, NY, the modern cheese industry was born in 1851. Jesse Williams was a successful farmer and cheese maker but believed by working together as cooperative dairies, farmers could maximize their profits. This led him to start the first cheese factory in the United States, a move that revolutionized agriculture not only locally, but across the nation.
Jesse Williams died in 1864 at age 67. At that time Oneida County was making over eight million pounds of cheese per year. Williams never patented his cheese-making inventions but gave them to the agricultural world. [Read more…] about The Cheese Factory System (Virtual Program)
Mustard Power: An Historic Food Crop
First domesticated in Central Asia some six-thousand years ago by ancient cultures looking for the best way to ruin shirts, mustard has evolved from zesty warm to blistering hot to the point that it’s now being developed as an ultra-low emission jet fuel.
Given the large size of the mustard or Brassica family – some 3,000 strong, according to Cornell University – it’s no surprise that it comprises historic food crops, showy flowers, noxious invasive weeds, and more. [Read more…] about Mustard Power: An Historic Food Crop
Colonial Era Desserts (Virtual Program)
The Fraunces Tavern Museum and Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center have announced Tavern Tastings: Desserts, a virtual program set for Tuesday, January 11th at 6:30 pm.
This program will be led by Fraunces Tavern Museum’s Mary Tsaltas-Ottomanelli and Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s Catherine Prescott, who will explore different varieties of desserts from colonial North America, including those created by Samuel Fraunces himself. [Read more…] about Colonial Era Desserts (Virtual Program)
What Did You Learn This Year At New York Almanack?
What was your favorite story this past year? Whatever it was, it cost money to produce. Now we need your help.
We have less than $1,980 to reach our goal for 2021. Please chip in to support New York Almanack‘s 13th year of providing stories about New York State history, natural history and culture.
We rely on our readers; we receive no public money.
Please make a contribution online at our Rally.org page: https://rally.org/f/4LBVKo9zYjO Or, send a check to: [Read more…] about What Did You Learn This Year At New York Almanack?
Audubon, Raquette River Brewing Partner With On New Beer
Northern New York Audubon and Raquette River Brewing have partnered to create a one-of-a-kind beer. On December 11, 2021 the brand new Spruce Tip IPA will be launched at Raquette River Brewing’s Tupper Lake property.
The label for the beer can will feature one of the Adirondack region’s most iconic species: the Spruce Grouse. [Read more…] about Audubon, Raquette River Brewing Partner With On New Beer
Talkin’ Turkey: 19th Century Thanksgiving Newspaper Reports
“Let us talk about turkey,” proclaimed a New York Tribune humor column republished Nov.23, 1888 in The Granville Sentinel. Not Turkey in Europe, nor yet Turkey in Asia. But turkey in America – the esteemed bird that goes so well with cranberry sauce.”
The bald eagle, national bird of the United States, gets prominent attention for months at a time once every four years, when there is a presidential election, but the turkey is heralded every year, the columnist quipped.
“The eagle has had his full fling this year. He has ruled the roost ever since early summer, when the presidential conventions were held,” the columnist wrote. “Now that the election is over, let the eagle fold up his wings … and give way to the turkey. … The turkey stands for the refreshing calm that succeeds a quadrennial election. The turkey holds himself aloof from political parties, cares nothing for public life.” [Read more…] about Talkin’ Turkey: 19th Century Thanksgiving Newspaper Reports
The Pilgrims of Plimoth & The First Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Pilgrims of Plimoth (or Plymouth) Colony and their Wampanoag neighbors came together to celebrate their first harvest. Today we remember this event as the first Thanksgiving.
But what do we really know about this holiday and the people who celebrated it? [Read more…] about The Pilgrims of Plimoth & The First Thanksgiving
‘Drink New York Craft’ Launches Direct-to-Consumer Beer Sales
Microbreweries across New York struggling to expand their reach and distribution may have part of a solution: Drink New York Craft will ship their beers any residence in the state.
Using a “Class C” license that allows a company to distribute and retail the company is providing microbreweries access to an off-premise sales channel without having to deal with often impenetrable traditional beer distributors. [Read more…] about ‘Drink New York Craft’ Launches Direct-to-Consumer Beer Sales