Ab Rab Blab

The first time I remember tasting Wassail was at an art sale in September in Iowa. This spiced hot beverage was self-serve out of one of those vintage electric coffee percolators with a lift handle. Only it wasn't vintage at that time. I filled what was no doubt a styrofoam cup and brought the steaming hot liquid to my lips. On first sip I was hooked. It was like sipping the holidays. Autumn and Yuletide wrapped up into one special moment.  The term “wassail” can trace its origins to pre-Christian Britain. Anglo-Saxon tradition included a New Year celebration in the halls...

Cherished for centuries in India, this powerful blend of tea and spices may become your favorite cold-weather beverage.  Chai is a delightful alternative to too much coffee. Chai, simmering away on the stove makes my tiny kitchen smell divine and imparts a sense of nurturing. I first discovered Chai while living in New York City, it was offered after classes at Kundalini Yoga East. Yet when I exchanged the city for the sea, I forgot about Chai. How did I forget about Chai?  The Tea Chai is more than tea, it is a way of life in India. Although there are many...

The soul of the rose lingers in these places. But how much longer will you be able to smell it? For more than 400 years, since the time of the Mughal emperor Jahangir, the Indian city of Kannauj has been distilling flowers to make perfume.But the industry is in decline. Synthetic perfumes are pushing the distilleries towards closure - and these exquisite scents may soon be lost forever. The Soul of the Rose proclaims Attars are based on nature, not chemicals. "Attars are not cost-effective products. They are expensive to make and few people understand this. Even fewer appreciate their value." -...