Asmor
First Post
Browsing the TiVo's suggestions, it recorded a history channel program on distilleries, and one of the topics mentioned in the brief description was absinthe... I've always liked the idea of absinthe (I don't drink), but didn't actually know much about it, so I did what every geek does: I looked it up on wikipedia.
Anyways, there's actually a very interesting ritual in preparing absinthe to drink, which I think would make great fodder for D&D to, say, describe the special drink of the house at a particular inn. You could call it absinthe, or you could file the serial numbers off...
Anyways, here's what's done: First, about 1-1.5 oz of absinthe are poured into a glass, which often has either a reservoir or just some marks on the glass so you know how much to pour.
Next, a special spoon (called, appropriately, an absinthe spoon) is placed over the glass. It's really a spoon in name only, as its more like a delicate, elaborately-decorated spatula with lots of little holes and slots. A cube of sugar is placed on the spoon, and then ice water is slowly dripped or drizzled over the ice cube (and flows through the holes in the spoon). The sugar is to offset the bitterness of the absinthe, although some of the more high quality liquors don't require it. The water, on the other hand, is extremely necessary as it allows the herbal flavors to blossom and dilutes the otherwise-overpowering anise.
And this is the really interesting part, to me. The water-insoluble portions of the liquor are forced out and cloud it, turning the clear green absinthe into a milky white opalescent beverage.
Tell me that wouldn't be a cool process to describe as the players all sit down and order the specialty of the house?
What are some other food preparation rituals? I'm especially interested in things based on real foods and beverages, but if you've got a good fantasy idea please do suggest it!
Here's a couple more:
The waiter sets a bowl of a thin, orange porridge in front of you. Then, reaching into a convenient bowl, plucks out a small chunk of ice and plops it into the center of the bowl. As soon as the ice hits the porridge, it shatters with a loud, hollow pop, and the surface of the porridge quickly shifts to a vibrant blue. (This is inspired by, of all things, ramen soup! When I was younger, my step-brother always used to stick an ice cube in his ramen to cool it down faster, and I will always remember how the ice would pop when it was dropped in.)
And, of course, the obvious one... You're served a dish or beverage. It is either already on fire, or the server ignites it after serving it to you, with the warning to blow it out before consuming. Based, of course, on any number of real-world dishes, none of which I can think of off the top of my head (except the Flaming Homer!).
Anyways, there's actually a very interesting ritual in preparing absinthe to drink, which I think would make great fodder for D&D to, say, describe the special drink of the house at a particular inn. You could call it absinthe, or you could file the serial numbers off...
Anyways, here's what's done: First, about 1-1.5 oz of absinthe are poured into a glass, which often has either a reservoir or just some marks on the glass so you know how much to pour.
Next, a special spoon (called, appropriately, an absinthe spoon) is placed over the glass. It's really a spoon in name only, as its more like a delicate, elaborately-decorated spatula with lots of little holes and slots. A cube of sugar is placed on the spoon, and then ice water is slowly dripped or drizzled over the ice cube (and flows through the holes in the spoon). The sugar is to offset the bitterness of the absinthe, although some of the more high quality liquors don't require it. The water, on the other hand, is extremely necessary as it allows the herbal flavors to blossom and dilutes the otherwise-overpowering anise.
And this is the really interesting part, to me. The water-insoluble portions of the liquor are forced out and cloud it, turning the clear green absinthe into a milky white opalescent beverage.
Tell me that wouldn't be a cool process to describe as the players all sit down and order the specialty of the house?
What are some other food preparation rituals? I'm especially interested in things based on real foods and beverages, but if you've got a good fantasy idea please do suggest it!
Here's a couple more:
The waiter sets a bowl of a thin, orange porridge in front of you. Then, reaching into a convenient bowl, plucks out a small chunk of ice and plops it into the center of the bowl. As soon as the ice hits the porridge, it shatters with a loud, hollow pop, and the surface of the porridge quickly shifts to a vibrant blue. (This is inspired by, of all things, ramen soup! When I was younger, my step-brother always used to stick an ice cube in his ramen to cool it down faster, and I will always remember how the ice would pop when it was dropped in.)
And, of course, the obvious one... You're served a dish or beverage. It is either already on fire, or the server ignites it after serving it to you, with the warning to blow it out before consuming. Based, of course, on any number of real-world dishes, none of which I can think of off the top of my head (except the Flaming Homer!).
