Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 16th, 2022. Would you take a look at the holidays being celebrated today and let me know which holiday you most want to celebrate and why. For me I wouldn’t mind celebrating National Rum Day with Rum and Coke. Would you like to join me in a drink or two?
Did you know August 16th is National Rum Day? National Today and our friends at Goslings Rum want to take the opportunity to celebrate one of our favorite Alcoholic beverages Rum. Let us hare interesting facts about the history and Culture surrounding Rum. Rum has been a staple of the economy of the Americas from nearly its founding and remains one of the most versatile liquors available today. Traditionally found in light or dark varieties, Rum has found its way into many alluring Cocktails, Punches, and Mixed drinks.
The Gosling family of Rum makers have been supplying the world with this storied beverage since 1806, aging and blending every drop on their home island of Bermuda. Their Black Seal Rum which they’ve been producing since the 1850s is the gold standard for dark Rums having been awarded the Gold Award three straight years at the International Rum Festival. Goslings proudly sponsors National Rum Day to spread the word about the rich history and taste of this historic spirit.
History of National Rum Day
Rum’s early history runs parallel with that of the Americas. Some would say few liquors have had a bigger impact on the new world. While some form of Rum has been distilled since the Third Century BCE, it wasn’t until the 17th Century Colonizers began growing Sugarcane in the Caribbean that Rum’s popularity exploded. Molasses is a byproduct of Sugar production and rather than let this excess go to waste they distilled it into Booze.
Initially called “kill devil” for its high alcohol content and less than savory taste, the process of fermenting and distilling Molasses became steadily more sophisticated and the Spirit significantly more enjoyable. The Etymology of the word “Rum” is still open for debate but among the most agreed upon theories is that Rum is derived from the terms rumbuillion or rumbustion meaning an upheaval but eventually shortened to Rum.
Rum production quickly spread throughout the Caribbean and beyond, to Islands including Bermuda, Nevis, and Jamaica, becoming one of the most popular Spirits and even being used as currency. Rum became so popular in Colonial America that it eventually contributed to 80% of the exports from New England and a tax on Sugar in the 1760s led directly to the American Revolution.
However, not all of Rum’s history is so rosy. Like many of the labor-intensive industries of the early American economies, Sugarcane and thus the Rum trade was based on Slave labor and the Spirit’s popularity contributed to the Slave trade that existed in America until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.
National Rum Day Activities
- Whether Rum is Iced in a glass, neat in a tumbler, or frozen with little umbrellas in it, Rum is the spirit of Summer. Branch out and try a new drink recipe and keep Summer in your heart.
- Rum is known as the drink of choice for Sailors, particularly those frequenting Island Ports like Jamaica, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. Rum is also a part of Pirate lore. Make a nod to your favorite privateer through a period accurate Cocktail.
- Take the Rum out of the glass and into the pan for an interesting and fiery cooking and baking experience. Classic desserts like Rum Raisin Pie and the combustive Bananas Foster all put the sweet taste of Rum front and center.
Five facts about Rum
- Rum was manufactured, distilled, and made long before any other Spirit. Rum’s history is a vast one filled with stories, and fables. Rum was the first branded Spirit made.
- Rations of Rum were given to Sailors in the British Army to be mixed with Lime Juice because Rum fought off Scurvy.
- When wealthy titles were given to parsons, they were thanked with a glass of Rum.
- In Australia, the Rum hospital can recognize Rum as it as its Chief contributor of revenues that were generated via the Rum exports they were known for.
- Triangular trade was introduced as Slaves were traded for Rum, Sugars, and other items that were all carrying Missionaries. This was known as ‘Rum and Bible.’
Why People Love National Rum Day
- Over the Centuries, Rum has proven itself to be a versatile and useful Spirit that can be mixed into Punches or Cocktails in a myriad of ways, enjoyed neat, or even on the rocks.
- Whiskey often gets the nod for the most over-analyzed liquor by gourmands, but aged Rum, with its smoky, earthy, aroma and notes of Vanilla and Caramel, offers some serious fodder for foodies to gush about.
- The history of Rum runs parallel to the history of the Americas. It’s impact can be felt from the Sugarcane trade, Slavery, the American Revolution, and the growth of nearby Island economies, particularly Bermuda.
While it’s certain that we’ve all had our share of Sausages in our day, particularly that Meat known as the Frankfurter, not everyone has had the pleasure of enjoying a Bratwurst. Bratwurst is typically made from Pork, but can, in fact, be made from any Meat. World Bratwurst Day celebrates every variety you can find.
Learn about World Bratwurst Day
Bratwurst is a Sausage that is heavily spiced. Bratwurst tends to be enjoyed either on its own with a side of Sauerkraut or in a Bread Roll with Mustard. The word ‘Bratwurst’ comes from two German words. The word Sausage is ‘wurst’ and then ‘braten’ means to fry. Bratwursts have been around since the 14th Century, and we will tell you a bit more about this. Bratwurst are typically made from Beef, Veal, or Pork. Bratwurst are so popular that there have even been Festivals created in Bratwurst honor. Most people like to wash Bratwursts down with a cold Beer.
You may assume that a Bratwurst and a Sausage are both the same things. That is not the case. A Bratwurst is a specific kind of fresh link Sausage, which is made with Veal or Pork. Sausage simply refers to ground Meat being prepared in a certain way. Some people also assume that Bratwursts and Hot Dogs are the same. Hot Dog casing is a lot thinner than the casings that are utilized for Bratwurst and other types of fresh link Sausages.
Very traditional recipes for Bratwurst call on the use of both Eggs and Cream in their preparation. However, it is important to note that different regions in Germany have different recipes. Bratwurst even differs in some regions of the United States as well. In Wisconsin, Sheboygan-style Bratwursts are very popular.
History of World Bratwurst Day
Sausage is quite ancient, going back as far as 228AD according to archaeological evidence, but the noble Bratwurst has only been around since 1313. Every region has a different variety of Bratwurst to call its own. There is over 40 varieties coming from within the Country of Germany. Throughout Germany Bratwurst are perceived as more of a snack food than a main dish. Bratwurst can often be found served in the latter capacity at Pubs, usually with Sauerkraut or Potato Salad and a dense Rye Bread or Pretzel. New York City may have Hot Dog vendors, but Germany has Bratwurst carts!
The varieties that come from Franconia date back to the first Bratwursts, and are usually heavily laden with Marjoram as a Seasoning. Bratwursts tend to be large and filled with coarsely ground Meat which lends them an overall juicier texture and flavor. While those from the City of Corburg only use Salt, Pepper, Nutmeg, and Lemon Zest. World Bratwurst Day celebrates all these and the hundreds of other varieties available. This holiday encourages us to explore the Culinary World of the Brat and see what our taste buds can find!
How to celebrate World Bratwurst Day
Celebrating World Bratwurst Day is easy! Head out to your local Grocery Story and purchase Brats. Then invite your family over for a delicious dinner party! Looking for something a bit more adventurous? You can always look for the local Bratwurst Festivals that are held every year. Or if your brave enough you could get out and organize your own Brat Festival! For those who are looking for a Culinary experience, you can also create your own Bratwursts with whatever it is you think would go well in them!
If your really feeling adventurous, you could try your hand at creating Bratwurst in order to mark the occasion. If you take a look online, you will see that there are a lot of different Bratwurst recipes. You are bound to find a recipe that appeals to you. A lot of people have created their own takes on this Sausage, with Curry Bratwurst, in particular, being a very popular choice. Once you have created your own Bratwurst, you can then have fun experimenting with different creations and coming up with your own flavor combinations. It is a lot of fun and you are going to have a tasty treat by the end of it.
In fact, this is a great way to get family, friends together. You can have a cook-off where you make different types of Bratwurst and everyone can try the creations and score them. You could have a prize for the winner. After all, there is nothing wrong with a bit of healthy competition. This is a fun way of doing something a bit different with the people you are close to. We are sure it will put a smile on everyone’s faces and entail a few laughs along the way. All you need is ingredients, as well as Alcohol and you have everything that you need for a get-together!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
