IvyMike's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Yak Butter Tea
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Yak Butter Tea

It's the fat-fueled energy drink of the Tibetan Plateau.
Gastro Obscura
The King's Ginger
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

The King's Ginger

The liqueur was created “to stimulate and revivify His Majesty” while he was driving.
Gastro Obscura
Akabanga Chili Oil
Gastro Obscura
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Ingredients & Condiments

Akabanga Chili Oil

The Rwandan condiment is so spicy, it's served with eyedroppers.
Gastro Obscura
Real Wasabi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Real Wasabi

Most sushi fans have never tried this rare rhizome.
Gastro Obscura
Nanaimo Bar
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Nanaimo Bar

From postwar dessert to sweet slice of Canadian identity.
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
Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries

Real maraschinos were born more than a century ago in an Italian distillery.
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Warq
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Warq

This edible silver garnish has long added bling to South Asian cuisine.
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Wagashi
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Wagashi

These Japanese sweets demonstrate the ephemeral beauty of the seasons.
Gastro Obscura
Kibbeh Nayyeh
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Story
Meats & Animal Products

Kibbeh Nayyeh

This raw meat meze from Lebanon is as fresh as it gets.
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Ice Wine
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Drinks

Ice Wine

Pressed from frozen grapes, this prized wine was a sweet accident.
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Pu'er
Gastro Obscura
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Drinks

Pu'er

Devoted fans pay thousands for bricks of this fermented tea.
Gastro Obscura
Cherimoya
Gastro Obscura
Story
Fruits & Vegetables

Cherimoya

Growing this sweet, tropical fruit sometimes requires careful hand-pollination with a paint brush.
Gastro Obscura
The Christmas Pickle
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Story

The Christmas Pickle

The holiday tradition of hiding an ornamental veggie.
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Chimayó Chile Pepper
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Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Chimayó Chile Pepper

This pepper's sweet taste and long, slow burn is found in a single town.
Gastro Obscura
Pocari Sweat
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Pocari Sweat

A pharmaceutical company developed this beverage as drinkable IV solution.
Gastro Obscura
Pine Cone Preserves
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Pine Cone Preserves

Soft young cones make a sweet jam believed to have health benefits in Russia and Georgia.
Gastro Obscura
Kouign-Amann
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Kouign-Amann

Some Bretons claim that their signature treat is the fattiest pastry in the world.
Gastro Obscura
Yaupon Tea
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Yaupon Tea

The mellow-buzz brew that once fueled Native Americans is making a comeback.
Gastro Obscura
Dole Whip
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Dole Whip

This pineapple soft serve has a cult following at Disney theme parks.
Gastro Obscura
Green River Soda
Gastro Obscura
Story
Drinks

Green River Soda

After thriving during Prohibition, this soda fountain staple was immortalized in a song by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Gastro Obscura
Tupelo Honey
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Tupelo Honey

Beekeepers in the United States' southeastern swamplands are fighting to preserve this smooth, sweet delicacy.
Gastro Obscura
Oaxacan Mole Blanco
Gastro Obscura
Story
Ingredients & Condiments

Oaxacan Mole Blanco

The fairest and rarest of them all.
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Terva Leijona
Gastro Obscura
Story
Sweets

Terva Leijona

For those craving intensity beyond black licorice, how about tar?
Gastro Obscura