(This article first appeared online on 21st May 2024 on Live Mint, India https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/food/rare-regional-summer-drinks-india-11716279651010.html)
Showing posts with label SUMMER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SUMMER. Show all posts
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Summer Travel—Your Way!
Summer travel is all about making the most of that much-needed vacation time. And so, we’ve put together a list of exciting getaways around the world for all sorts of travellers—be they couples on a romantic break or the solo adventurer on their own wanderlust-driven path.
By Raul Dias
For Full Family Fun
Toronto in Canada
Almost every year, this vibrant Canadian city makes it to the top of the list of the world’s most family-friendly destinations. And rightly so! Come summer and this usually frigid city blossoms into a family fun paradise with scores of attractions that have something for every member. The well-maintained Toronto Zoo is a paradise for animal lovers with everything from Canada’s native polar bears to baby rhinos and hundreds of other creatures there to see. Prefer the more aquatic kind of adventures? Then a deep-sea adventure awaits at Ripley’s Aquarium. The Bat Cave at the Royal Ontario Museum is a fun way for kids to discover the real stories behind these mysterious creatures. And for the sportier families, scale to the top of the CNN Tower and earn yourself a panoramic view of the city. But for a truly memorable vacation, head down to the Canadian side of the mighty Niagara Falls just over an hour by road from Toronto. Once there, take a ride aboard the Hornblower Niagara Cruise in the morning and head off on an aerial tour of the falls with National Helicopters in the afternoon.
Getting There: There are daily direct and connecting flights from both Mumbai and New Delhi and other Indian cities to Toronto on airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, Air Canada and Emirates.
For the Romantic Couple
Turtle Island in Fiji
Picture this. The two of you on a private beach somewhere in the South Pacific with the soft white sand squeaking under your feet, a calm breeze lulling you into sweet submission, while the azure waters provide the ambient soundtrack with their gentle lapping… Bliss, right? But what’s even better about this montage is that it can be your very own reality at the super-exclusive Turtle Island in Fiji’s Yasawa chain. As part of this all-inclusive island resort—that is home to only 14 couples at a time—you even get access to your very own private beach that is only one of the 14 others that the resort is famous for. From there, your eyes are met with stunning vistas of the renowned Blue Lagoon which is an icon of Fiji, having featured in the 1980’s movie of the same name. Besides a romantic private dinner and couples’ massages, the resort even tailor-makes all your aquatic adventure requirements, be it snorkelling or swimming with the dolphins. Ah, bliss!
Getting There: Connect from most cities in India to Nadi, Fiji via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific in association with partner airline Fiji Airways. From Nadi, one can reach Turtle Island by taking a 30-minute seaplane flight.
For the Solo Traveller
Safaris and More in South Africa
There is very little doubt that for most travellers, the words ‘South Africa’ and ‘Safaris’ go hand-in-hand. Home to a wondrous selection of wildlife, including the coveted Big 5, the iconic national parks like Limpopo’s Kruger and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Upington are the best places to get your fill. And better still if you’re a solo traveller. Most safari resorts like the Hamiltons Tented Camp in Kurger offer up a variety of activities from daily group safari drives to nightly bonfire BBQs where you can meet and swap stories with fellow solo guests. And once you’ve got your fill of the country’s number one calling card, head down to the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape region which is just the place to indulge your every adrenaline-laced fantasy. With everything from cave exploring at the magnificent Cango Caves in the Klein Karoo area to bungy jumping at the world’s highest bungy off the Bloukrans Bridge (that fords over the Bloukrans River valley at a height of 216 meters!), the Garden Route has it all and then some more for the solo adventure seeker.
Getting There: The best way to get to South Africa from India is via Dubai on Emirates that has daily flights to and from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Once in South Africa, you can hire a car and drive to most national parks and down to the Garden Route as well.
For a Memorable ‘Pet-a-cation’
New York in the USA
For most of us with pets, the idea of leaving them alone while we waltz off on a vacation is pretty traumatic. No longer. As one of the world’s greatest pet-friendly cities, New York has a plethora of hotels—from the iconic The Peninsula near Central Park to the Hilton Times Square—that are more than happy to welcome you and your pet. Among one of the best hotels in the city, The Conrad in fashionable Lower Manhattan is so pet-friendly that guests travelling with their pets also have access to dog beds, bandanas, food bowls and additional amenities through the hotel’s pet program. It even provides you with private GPS-tracked dog walking services, which include a map of the route travelled, arrival and departure times, and a recap and photos of your pooch’s adventure. And for those travelling sans pet, but craving some non-human company, the Roxy Hotel Tribeca, one of Manhattan’s most stylish boutique hotels will even offer its in-house posse of goldfish to guests—free of charge—for the duration of their stay!
Getting There: There are daily direct flights from both Mumbai and New Delhi to New York on airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, Delta and United Airlines.
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the April-May-June 2019 issue of HDFC Imperia magazine)
By Raul Dias
For Full Family Fun
Toronto in Canada
Almost every year, this vibrant Canadian city makes it to the top of the list of the world’s most family-friendly destinations. And rightly so! Come summer and this usually frigid city blossoms into a family fun paradise with scores of attractions that have something for every member. The well-maintained Toronto Zoo is a paradise for animal lovers with everything from Canada’s native polar bears to baby rhinos and hundreds of other creatures there to see. Prefer the more aquatic kind of adventures? Then a deep-sea adventure awaits at Ripley’s Aquarium. The Bat Cave at the Royal Ontario Museum is a fun way for kids to discover the real stories behind these mysterious creatures. And for the sportier families, scale to the top of the CNN Tower and earn yourself a panoramic view of the city. But for a truly memorable vacation, head down to the Canadian side of the mighty Niagara Falls just over an hour by road from Toronto. Once there, take a ride aboard the Hornblower Niagara Cruise in the morning and head off on an aerial tour of the falls with National Helicopters in the afternoon.
Getting There: There are daily direct and connecting flights from both Mumbai and New Delhi and other Indian cities to Toronto on airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, Air Canada and Emirates.
For the Romantic Couple
Turtle Island in Fiji
Picture this. The two of you on a private beach somewhere in the South Pacific with the soft white sand squeaking under your feet, a calm breeze lulling you into sweet submission, while the azure waters provide the ambient soundtrack with their gentle lapping… Bliss, right? But what’s even better about this montage is that it can be your very own reality at the super-exclusive Turtle Island in Fiji’s Yasawa chain. As part of this all-inclusive island resort—that is home to only 14 couples at a time—you even get access to your very own private beach that is only one of the 14 others that the resort is famous for. From there, your eyes are met with stunning vistas of the renowned Blue Lagoon which is an icon of Fiji, having featured in the 1980’s movie of the same name. Besides a romantic private dinner and couples’ massages, the resort even tailor-makes all your aquatic adventure requirements, be it snorkelling or swimming with the dolphins. Ah, bliss!
Getting There: Connect from most cities in India to Nadi, Fiji via Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific in association with partner airline Fiji Airways. From Nadi, one can reach Turtle Island by taking a 30-minute seaplane flight.
For the Solo Traveller
Safaris and More in South Africa
There is very little doubt that for most travellers, the words ‘South Africa’ and ‘Safaris’ go hand-in-hand. Home to a wondrous selection of wildlife, including the coveted Big 5, the iconic national parks like Limpopo’s Kruger and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Upington are the best places to get your fill. And better still if you’re a solo traveller. Most safari resorts like the Hamiltons Tented Camp in Kurger offer up a variety of activities from daily group safari drives to nightly bonfire BBQs where you can meet and swap stories with fellow solo guests. And once you’ve got your fill of the country’s number one calling card, head down to the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape region which is just the place to indulge your every adrenaline-laced fantasy. With everything from cave exploring at the magnificent Cango Caves in the Klein Karoo area to bungy jumping at the world’s highest bungy off the Bloukrans Bridge (that fords over the Bloukrans River valley at a height of 216 meters!), the Garden Route has it all and then some more for the solo adventure seeker.
Getting There: The best way to get to South Africa from India is via Dubai on Emirates that has daily flights to and from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Once in South Africa, you can hire a car and drive to most national parks and down to the Garden Route as well.
For a Memorable ‘Pet-a-cation’
New York in the USA
For most of us with pets, the idea of leaving them alone while we waltz off on a vacation is pretty traumatic. No longer. As one of the world’s greatest pet-friendly cities, New York has a plethora of hotels—from the iconic The Peninsula near Central Park to the Hilton Times Square—that are more than happy to welcome you and your pet. Among one of the best hotels in the city, The Conrad in fashionable Lower Manhattan is so pet-friendly that guests travelling with their pets also have access to dog beds, bandanas, food bowls and additional amenities through the hotel’s pet program. It even provides you with private GPS-tracked dog walking services, which include a map of the route travelled, arrival and departure times, and a recap and photos of your pooch’s adventure. And for those travelling sans pet, but craving some non-human company, the Roxy Hotel Tribeca, one of Manhattan’s most stylish boutique hotels will even offer its in-house posse of goldfish to guests—free of charge—for the duration of their stay!
Getting There: There are daily direct flights from both Mumbai and New Delhi to New York on airlines like Air India, Jet Airways, Delta and United Airlines.
(An edited version of this article first appeared in the April-May-June 2019 issue of HDFC Imperia magazine)
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Hygge, Swedish style
The restrained, almost icy veneer that they are famous for is demolished within minutes, when a group of Swedes comes together for a good old knees-up involving food, drink and general bonhomie
By Raul Dias
Though they may vehemently deny it, the Swedes are quite similar to their neighbours, the Danes, in many ways. But, if there’s one uniquely Scandinavian concept that truly cements this congruity, then that would have to be the Danish word “hygge” (pronounced “hoog-uh”). Said to be a state of being that’s characterised by the warmth and coziness enjoyed with friends and family—mostly over an intimate meal—hygge has long crossed borders into Sweden.
Come spring, and one sees a host of such hygge-centric activities mushroom up at parks, by lakes, in backyards all across Sweden, celebrating the long days and short nights…
Surströmming—a Delicious Stinkfest!
Singing the famous Swedish drinking song Helan Går—which when loosely translated into English means “chug it down”—couldn’t be more appropriate when at a surströmming party. In fact, it is imperative, as you find yourself knocking back shot after shot of the potato alcohol aquavit, once you’re done with your first bite of surströmming.
Simply put, this northern Swedish delicacy that dates back to the 16th century, originating in the Höga Kusten region of Sweden, is a super-stinky ‘appetiser’ of fermented herring. Baltic herring are caught in the spring, salted and left to ferment, before being stuffed in a tin about a month before it hits the tables and shops. The fermentation process continues in the tin; ‘souring’ as the Swedes refer to it, and results in a bulging tin of fermented herring or surströmming with an aroma that is intensely pungent.
Usually enjoyed by groups of families and friends in early fall and more specifically on the third Thursday in August, a surströmming party is always held outdoors. And justifiably so! The ceremony behind opening and serving a can of surströmming has its own rules. Number one: check the direction of the wind first, or risk fogging up everybody present with a blast of the noxious odour. Make sure to have on hand a few ‘back-up acts’, no matter how benignly mild surströmming actually tastes. These take the form of the typically Swedish circular hard bread called tunnbröd, atop which a little bit of the herring and the sour cream-like gräddfil spread is placed, along with a garnish of dill fronds and onion rings. All this, topped off with slices of boiled potato to take the edge of things. If only…
A Crayfish Rumpus
While traditionalists may bicker about which came first, the Louisiana crawfish boil or the Swedish crayfish party, both their underpinnings couldn’t be more alike. In that, they both are about enjoying copious amounts of freshwater crustaceans and the company of each other. Known as a kräftskiva in Sweden, and marking the end of summer, a crayfish party may seem reassuringly informal, but that’s not often the case. Remember, we’re still talking about the rules-obsessed Swedes! So, this means people gathered under white tents, wearing funny hats in the shapes of cones with colorful print, drinking snaps (and nothing else, save for water) and eating boiled, peeled crayfish called kräftor placed in huge, almost pool-sized bowls after dunking them in aioli and rounding it all off with a savoury pie made from the aged Västerbottensost cheese.
The Fika Phenomenon
Imagine having something like a mandatory, daily coffee break written into your job contract. Or picture yourself sitting down with the family everyday and discussing almost everything under the sun over a plate of warm cinnamon rolls. Well, for the Swedes, this isn’t some halcyon dream, but an everyday reality. It even has a mellifluous name—fika!
A clever syllabic play, the term ‘fika’ is a spoonerism for kafi as coffee is spelled in Swedish. It is also, hands down, one of Sweden’s greatest down time pursuits that almost everybody in the country enjoys daily, with its two lynchpins being kanelbulle, or cinnamon rolls and coffee.
The latter is no great surprise. As the world’s second highest consumers of coffee, after their northeastern neighbours the Finns, the Swedes have perfected the art of celebrating the beverage and all the trappings that come with the seemingly simple act of drinking it. But then again, fika is much more than having a coffee. It is a social phenomenon, a legitimate reason to set aside a moment for quality time.
Interestingly, many companies in Sweden have made it mandatory for all their workers to have a designated time off during the day to sit down and do fika. Even Sweden’s most iconic flatpack furniture and home decor brand Ikea, strongly endorses the fika concept, as is apparent from a paragraph about it on its corporate website: “More than a coffee break, fika is a time to share, connect and relax with colleagues. Some of the best ideas and decisions happen at fika.” Amen to that!
(A shorter, differently edited version of this article appeared in the 28th July 2018 issue of the Mint Lounge newspaper, India on page 8 https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/y3vi72RZeJ2qXU2VVXYbJO/A-summer-of-Swedish-hygge.html)
By Raul Dias
Though they may vehemently deny it, the Swedes are quite similar to their neighbours, the Danes, in many ways. But, if there’s one uniquely Scandinavian concept that truly cements this congruity, then that would have to be the Danish word “hygge” (pronounced “hoog-uh”). Said to be a state of being that’s characterised by the warmth and coziness enjoyed with friends and family—mostly over an intimate meal—hygge has long crossed borders into Sweden.
Come spring, and one sees a host of such hygge-centric activities mushroom up at parks, by lakes, in backyards all across Sweden, celebrating the long days and short nights…
Surströmming—a Delicious Stinkfest!
Singing the famous Swedish drinking song Helan Går—which when loosely translated into English means “chug it down”—couldn’t be more appropriate when at a surströmming party. In fact, it is imperative, as you find yourself knocking back shot after shot of the potato alcohol aquavit, once you’re done with your first bite of surströmming.
Simply put, this northern Swedish delicacy that dates back to the 16th century, originating in the Höga Kusten region of Sweden, is a super-stinky ‘appetiser’ of fermented herring. Baltic herring are caught in the spring, salted and left to ferment, before being stuffed in a tin about a month before it hits the tables and shops. The fermentation process continues in the tin; ‘souring’ as the Swedes refer to it, and results in a bulging tin of fermented herring or surströmming with an aroma that is intensely pungent.
Usually enjoyed by groups of families and friends in early fall and more specifically on the third Thursday in August, a surströmming party is always held outdoors. And justifiably so! The ceremony behind opening and serving a can of surströmming has its own rules. Number one: check the direction of the wind first, or risk fogging up everybody present with a blast of the noxious odour. Make sure to have on hand a few ‘back-up acts’, no matter how benignly mild surströmming actually tastes. These take the form of the typically Swedish circular hard bread called tunnbröd, atop which a little bit of the herring and the sour cream-like gräddfil spread is placed, along with a garnish of dill fronds and onion rings. All this, topped off with slices of boiled potato to take the edge of things. If only…
A Crayfish Rumpus
While traditionalists may bicker about which came first, the Louisiana crawfish boil or the Swedish crayfish party, both their underpinnings couldn’t be more alike. In that, they both are about enjoying copious amounts of freshwater crustaceans and the company of each other. Known as a kräftskiva in Sweden, and marking the end of summer, a crayfish party may seem reassuringly informal, but that’s not often the case. Remember, we’re still talking about the rules-obsessed Swedes! So, this means people gathered under white tents, wearing funny hats in the shapes of cones with colorful print, drinking snaps (and nothing else, save for water) and eating boiled, peeled crayfish called kräftor placed in huge, almost pool-sized bowls after dunking them in aioli and rounding it all off with a savoury pie made from the aged Västerbottensost cheese.
The Fika Phenomenon
Imagine having something like a mandatory, daily coffee break written into your job contract. Or picture yourself sitting down with the family everyday and discussing almost everything under the sun over a plate of warm cinnamon rolls. Well, for the Swedes, this isn’t some halcyon dream, but an everyday reality. It even has a mellifluous name—fika!
A clever syllabic play, the term ‘fika’ is a spoonerism for kafi as coffee is spelled in Swedish. It is also, hands down, one of Sweden’s greatest down time pursuits that almost everybody in the country enjoys daily, with its two lynchpins being kanelbulle, or cinnamon rolls and coffee.
The latter is no great surprise. As the world’s second highest consumers of coffee, after their northeastern neighbours the Finns, the Swedes have perfected the art of celebrating the beverage and all the trappings that come with the seemingly simple act of drinking it. But then again, fika is much more than having a coffee. It is a social phenomenon, a legitimate reason to set aside a moment for quality time.
Interestingly, many companies in Sweden have made it mandatory for all their workers to have a designated time off during the day to sit down and do fika. Even Sweden’s most iconic flatpack furniture and home decor brand Ikea, strongly endorses the fika concept, as is apparent from a paragraph about it on its corporate website: “More than a coffee break, fika is a time to share, connect and relax with colleagues. Some of the best ideas and decisions happen at fika.” Amen to that!
(A shorter, differently edited version of this article appeared in the 28th July 2018 issue of the Mint Lounge newspaper, India on page 8 https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/y3vi72RZeJ2qXU2VVXYbJO/A-summer-of-Swedish-hygge.html)
Friday, April 21, 2017
Café Coffee Day's new ‘Summer Chillers’!
Beat the heat with CCD’s new summer beverages menu, a range of refreshing thirst-quenching drinks that will satisfy the indulgent explorer in you
Summer is here and so is
the raging heat and exhaustion! While all of us are trying to get a grip of the
summer heat, Café Coffee Day (CCD) has come out with a range of beverages
to chill and sip on and enjoy summer season to the fullest. Stay cool and fresh
with CCD’s aptly termed ‘Summer Chillers’. It brings you a whole new
range of beverages that is not just refreshing, but also redefines frappes and
slushes in unique flavours that will gratify the indulgent explorer in you.
The summer menu consists of
six new chillers. It’s got two new frappes, two fruit-based refreshers and for
the coffee devotees there are two coffee chillers.
CCD patrons have spent many
indulgent and enjoyable times at its cafes over its much loved range of frappes.
CCD now adds to these fun moments with two more unique and yummy frappe additions,
‘Almond Rabdi Frappe’ and ‘Creamy Toffee Frappe.’
The Almond Rabdi Frappe brings you the classic taste of the popular
Indian dessert in a glass. It is a smooth chiller to down, served with a shot
of whipped cream and topped off with crunchy almond flakes. CCD brings another
new and evolved taste to the youth with the delicious Creamy Toffee Frappe.
It’s got rich toffee sauce blended into a chilled frappe, topped with whipped
cream and scrumptious butterscotch.
This summer menu also
brings you two cooling refreshers made of India’s quintessential summer
flavours - reinvented. ‘Cool Jamun Slush’ made of Kala Jamun
delivers our beloved fruit into a soothing beverage. It combines the flavour of
jamun with a zing of secret seasoning to revitalize your taste buds. ‘Sugarcane
Refresher’ brings you the all-time-favourite sugarcane juice, infused with
lemon, spicy ginger and soothing khus. This marvel of a drink is served in a
sugar-rimmed cup to transport you right into a summer travel dream!
Next up in the Summer
Chillers menu is ‘Toffee Cold Coffee.’ This light beverage comes
with layers of cold coffee with creamy toffee, served on a bed of ice. This
chiller is topped off with foamed milk and a drizzle of cocoa powder and is
absolutely hydrating. Last but not least is the ‘Citrus Cold Brew Coffee’
made for discerning customers and available only in Mumbai, Delhi and
Bangalore. It’s a signature cold-brew coffee blended with mandarin flavor and
served on the rocks in a sugar-rimmed cup. There is no better hangout spot than
this!
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