alepidote's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Blue-Green Algae
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Blue-Green Algae

The Aztecs used it to make protein-rich tortillas; we use it to make unicorn lattes.
Gastro Obscura
White BBQ Sauce
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

White BBQ Sauce

In Alabama, smoked meat gets dressed up in white.
Gastro Obscura
Scrapple
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Scrapple

Pennsylvania's pork loaf embodies Amish resourcefulness.
Gastro Obscura
Molcajete
Gastro Obscura
Story

Molcajete

The Mesoamerican mortar and pestle has been made, and used, the same way for thousands of years.
Gastro Obscura
Pouring Moroccan Mint Tea
Gastro Obscura
Story

Pouring Moroccan Mint Tea

A gesture of welcome and respect, Moroccan mint tea gets poured from high above the glass.
Gastro Obscura
Cuttlefish Gum
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Cuttlefish Gum

In Singapore, dried, shredded cephalopod is a bubblegum alternative.
Gastro Obscura
Steam Beer
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Steam Beer

The unique style born out of the California Gold Rush blends the crispness of a lager with the flavor of an ale.
Gastro Obscura
Fried Chicken Gizzards
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Fried Chicken Gizzards

These muscular organs are a crispy, chewy Southern favorite.
Gastro Obscura
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Historians debate whether this dish actually originated with Italian sex workers.
Gastro Obscura
Finger Lime
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Finger Lime

Slice one open for some citrus caviar.
Gastro Obscura
Cornish Pasty
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Cornish Pasty

In the 19th century, tin miners ate these handheld pies and left their crusts to appease mischievous, mine-dwelling spirits.
Gastro Obscura
Wagashi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Wagashi

These Japanese sweets demonstrate the ephemeral beauty of the seasons.
Gastro Obscura
Moelas
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Moelas

In homestyle Portuguese restaurants known as tascas, savory stewed chicken gizzards are a flavorful favorite.
Gastro Obscura
Kava
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Kava

The South Pacific's shrub-based drink causes relaxation, euphoria, and a tingling sensation.
Gastro Obscura
Geoduck
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Geoduck

This phallic, giant clam is the culinary crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest.
Gastro Obscura
Necco Wafers
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Necco Wafers

Produced since 1847, these classic New England candies almost disappeared in 2018.
Gastro Obscura
Strawberry Tree Fruit
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Strawberry Tree Fruit

The lychee-looking fruit appears in everything from jam and liqueur to the Aeneid and Madrid's flag.
Gastro Obscura
Pegu Club Cocktail
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Pegu Club Cocktail

A cocktail that originated in a British officers’ club in erstwhile Burma now has fans across the world.
Gastro Obscura
Dutch Soused Herring
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Dutch Soused Herring

No one eats pickled herring like the Dutch.
Gastro Obscura
Adjaruli Khachapuri
Gastro Obscura
Story
Prepared Foods

Adjaruli Khachapuri

Economists use this cheesy bread as a metric for cost of living between Georgian cities.
Gastro Obscura
Kransekake
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Kransekake

For special occasions, Norwegians stack 18 rings of cake into a tower.
Gastro Obscura
Brunost
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Brunost

This “brown cheese” tastes like caramel.
Gastro Obscura
Pimientos de Padrón
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Pimientos de Padrón

Eating these unpredictable tapas is a game of spicy-pepper roulette.
Gastro Obscura
Surströmming
Gastro Obscura
Story
Meats & Animal Products

Surströmming

The pickled Baltic herring has an explosive reputation.
Gastro Obscura