curds and whey

Here is an incomplete Periodic Table of cheeses. I only made it as far as the transitional cheeses and realised that I probably should have undertaken my method of classification in a more scientific manner to be useful. I started with base ingredients, hoping to end with hardness but I exhausted recognised varieties. Perhaps someone better organised can finish this project with this blank template of the classic layout of the periodic table or create their own system for items that demonstrate characteristics and predictability that can be fit into this format or quiz one selves on the elements that actually belong in this chart. Perhaps even someone could incorporate other basic properties, like wine-pairings.

a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

Next time you are enjoying a cup of fine steamy hot coffee, you may want to conider the culture  and conceptions that quickly expanded around this New World import and these five historical counter-revolutions from Mental Floss blogger Emmy Blotnick that attempted to ban coffee consumption. Frederick the Great's rallying against the bean and brew may have just been a strongly-worded suggestion, as his majesty was raised on beer for breakfast.

chuchotage or gesticulation

Often, when available, I switch on the closed-captions while, watching movies in German because sometimes the being able to read the words as well make it easier to understand above accents and fast speech—and the text-version of the dialogue is sometimes simplified and leaves out slang and Englisch terminology. Also, when watching the nightly news, viewers respect the tolling bells that proceed the nationally syndicated programme like BBC watchers not daring to interrupt the pips that usher in the top of the hour, though all broadcasts are moderated by the same anchors, I like to watch the public stations that feature a sign-language interpreter—just to see how animated they are, when to my perspective they're just miming the news but trust that they are conveying volumes.

I was disappointed to learn how the interpreter commissioned for the occasion of the state funeral for Nelson Mandela was signing absolute gibberish, and not just because it was a solemn event but also was an insult to the hearing-impaired and the skill of those that know how to communicate in this medium—as it is not a form of communication dependent on its spoken equivalent and requires translation and there is no universal sign language, whether by other non-verbal forms or formal digital-speaking itself. It's a pathetic display and I'm glad it was revealed, because such an honour is not on the same level as lip-syncing or being a part of a choir and mouthing the word watermelon (because from the audience's point of view, that enunciation could be just about anything) because you don't know the piece. There's a pretty funny super-cut of the lampoons, however, to be found at the link.

valance or tinley bar

Food Beast presents this brilliant and systematic presentation of classic cocktails arranged in Periodic Table form by designer Mayra Artes.

Click on the image to enlarge but be sure to visit the gourmand blog, as well. The columns are arranged by family of liquors and in descending order of alcohol content—thus chemical reactivity. I like how the Gin Group is located where one would find the Noble Gasses and the listing of the Rare-Earth elements. Here's a toast to the science of taxology. I think a perfect project for an expert cheesemonger (l'artisan fromager) would be to adapt families of cheeses to this format.