October 25th is Sourest Day #SourestDay and I know a lot of people like Sour Foods but I’m not much for anything Sour. Although, when Suzzane was little she would eat Lemons by the handful and now she is gone and Charlie used to do the same thing.
Charlie has gotten past eating Lemons and Limes but that didn’t stop Charlie from eating all kinds of Sour Candy along with his friends and at times David will eat sour Candy with Charlie depending on what type of Candy it is. Do you like Sour Candy if so what kind?
It’s Sourest Day, which means it’s time for a sensation overload that will make your mouth explode October 25th. So you know where not just talking sucking on a Lemon or boatloads of over-Sugared Gummies. Sourest Day is a day for all things sour including Candy to Kimchi, sour foods can be an everyday part of our lives! Grab some Citrus and some Yogurt, because its time to get puckerin’.
Sour Candies, Sour Fruits, Sour Vegetables, Sauerkraut and other types of Sour foods have been a staple in human diets around the world for centuries. While the term ‘sour’ typically brings to mind a puckering Candy or a rather irate person, it really encompasses so much more.
Did you know Sour foods have been on Earth much longer than humans. In fact, the first crop of Lemon Trees has been traced to over eight million years ago. Since then, dozens of cultures have experimented with their own take on sour foods, most of which, as it turns out, are good for your gut due to their similar fermentation processes.
In the 1st Century B.C., Koreans had all but perfected the fermentation of Cabbage and other Vegetables in a dish we now know as Kimchi, while 16th Century Germans experimented with fermenting Cabbage mixed with Salt, creating the classic Sauerkraut dish we know and love today.
Of course, sour isn’t just for Vegetables. The Parisians ‘invented’ Lemonade as we know it today in the 1640s by mixing Lemon Juice with Water and Honey, which quickly became a Summer staple across Europe, eventually leading to the classic American Lemonade Stand that debuted in New York City over 130 years ago. And it wouldn’t be until the 1970s that Sour Candies took off, cementing sour’s legendary association with pucker mouths.
While there are tons of rich food history and culture to celebrate on Sourest Day, it’s worth noting that the holiday was never invented for sour foods: a fellow in Ann Arbor, Michigan, launched Sourest Day in 1977 as a way to celebrate his good friend whose last name was, you guessed it: Sauer.
HOW TO CELEBRATE SOUREST DAY
- Skip the Minute Maid and Milk because on Sourest day, you replace your standard bevvies with a more Lemony-Lemonade or try a glass of Buttermilk with dinner.
- Make your day even Sourer by opting for a sour version of your favorite Sour Candy to snack on.
- Purchase an assortment of the Sourest Candies you can find and grab your friends because it’s time to taste test that Sour Candy and see who can withstand the most puckering.
- If you know someone who’s a bit grumpy or maybe even … sour? Do something nice to brighten up their day and change that mood! Send them flowers, a Cookie bouquet, or even Sour Gummy Candies!
AMAZING FACTS ABOUT KIMCHI
- Depending on the local flavors, Vegetable availability, and refrigeration components, Kimchi varies around the world.
- It’s not just the Vegetable Base that makes Kimchi so healthy: the fermentation process creates tons of Probiotics, making Kimchi good for your gut!
- Sources claim Koreans eat 57 pounds of Kimchi each year.
- Keep Kimchi refrigerated between 32 and 41°F and that little jar will last up to six months.
- Did you know there is a Museum in Seoul, South Korea, that outlines the history of the popular preservatives and even teaches D.I.Y. Kimchi. This isn’t a class I want to take because I don’t like Kimchi. How about you?
WHY WE LOVE SOUREST DAY
- Whether you’re a fan of Gummies, hard Candies, or Lollipops, there’s a Sour Candy for you. Grab your favorite flavor in the form of hard flavor Bombs, soft Gummy Worms, or even Sprays and Gum.
- Chinese restaurants have long been the peddlers of the perfect combination: sweet and sour. This combination has been perfected across classic dishes including Egg Rolls and Lemon Chicken, and is prevalent in just about all of the menu. Whether you’re looking to dip Crab Rangoon’s in the classic Sauce or Chow down on Sweet-and-Sour Chicken, your favorite take out spot is bound to have it all.
- Why is it that store-bought Lemonade tastes better when you purchase it from two kids selling it for a 1.00? Regardless of the reason, it certainly does! Remember when you were trying to raise some money for a new toy with your mom’s secret recipe? Pay that nostalgia forward the next time you see a stand and enjoy the cool, refreshing Lemonade.
Recipe: Extreme Sour Gummies
- Total: 2 hr 15 min (includes chilling time)
- Active: 15 min
- Yield: 100 gummy bears
One 3-ounce box flavored gelatin powder, such as Jell-O
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin powder
2 tablespoons citric acid
1/4 cup sugar Get Ingredints
- Put two 50-count silicone gummy bear molds on a baking sheet and lightly spray with nonstick spray.
- Combine the flavored gelatin powder, unflavored gelatin powder, 1 tablespoon of the citric acid and 1/2 cup cold water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently so that the sugar does not stick to the bottom of the saucepan, about 4 minutes. Do not boil.
- Pour the mixture into a small liquid measuring cup. With a spoon, skim off any bubbles that have formed. Carefully fill the molds and gently shake to ensure the mixture settles to the bottom. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
- Combine the sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon citric acid in a medium bowl. Carefully remove the gummy bears from the molds and toss in the sugar mixture. Enjoy immediately.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
