France has issued many stamps on food (not foodstamps!) on her own gastronomy for quite some time.
A new series will be issued on April 25th and wil be printed in the form of mini-sheets dedicated to a particular region with stamps, pics and explanations.
With the twenty-first of these sheets I’d like to introduce is Provence-Cote d’Azur.

Provence is called such because it was the first “provincia/colony” officially recognized by the Roman Empire. Cote d’Azur is called such for its blue skies altough Italy claims the same with justification. After all Nice was still Italian until the second half of the XIXthe Century!

On this sheet you can see culinary specialties univesally known:
-Bouillabaisse, although the original one was only fish soup served with toasts (and mayonnaise if your were lucky, as this was a poor man’s food!).
-Herbs of Provence both used for food and perfume.

Other produce include olive oils, lavender, thyme and other herbs, and wine of course.
This particular land was fought over the ages not so much for its wealth, but for its harbours and wood. The Roman in fact cut the whole forest extending all over it 2,500 years to build their ships.
Reforestation was only begun in very late XIXth century!

had it not been for its tourist industry that was launchd after WWII, it could have stayed one of the poorest regions of France!

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France has issued many stamps on food (not foodstamps!) on her own gastronomy for quite some time.
A new series will be issued on April 25th and wil be printed in the form of mini-sheets dedicated to a particular region with stamps, pics and explanations.
With the twentieth of these sheets I’d like to introduce is Poitou-Charente.

Poitou Charente includes Poitou and Poitiers, the theatre of great battles during the 100 Years War. It also includes Cognac and its brandies, hence a very strong English influence also found in La Rochelle, the capital of Charente. Ile de Re/Re Island was the place where Protestants had to leave France under Louis XIV’s reign. I actually found 14 families there (population: 2,500) bearing my surname (I was born Catholic, but my surname was mainly Huguenot)!
Ile de Re was also the final departure from France for many forced laborers who left for French Guyana.

It has an extremely rich culinary tradition.
On the sheet you will notice:
-Oysters (marennes in particular)
-Tourteau Fromager, a succulent cake made with local cheese.

You must also include superlative seafood (including shark!), cheeses (especially goat cheese!), and spirits (not only Cognac, but Pineau and wines).
Visit La Rochelle and Ile de Re for its food and great sea resorts!

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Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

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France has issued many stamps on food (not foodstamps!) on her own gastronomy for quite some time.
A new series will be issued on April 25th and wil be printed in the form of mini-sheets dedicated to a particular region with stamps, pics and explanations.
With the nineteenth of these sheets I’d like to introduce is Picardie.

Picardie for a long time moved along local politics and alliances moving from hands to hands, Englis, Burgundian, Spanish and French. Its inhabitants still feel very independent and resent outside authority.
It is a very rich and traditional culinary region based around its famous beers.

The sheet here features the Tare au Maroilles, a kind of Quiche made with Maroilles Cheese. The same cheese can be ooked in beer like a Welsh rarebit.
The Flemiche Picarde comes in various shapes but is basically a gratin containing endives and pork.
The region is also famous for a rare plant called salicorne or sea bean, which grows in salted water. It is not a seaweed and can be savoured in many ways.

Picardie is also famous for its cakes like Gateau battu and all kinds of biscuits, eels, pates and terrines. This rgion can go through severe winters, so its people need a hearty food!

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Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ
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France has issued many stamps on food (not foodstamps!) on her own gastronomy for quite some time.
A new series will be issued on April 25th and wil be printed in the form of mini-sheets dedicated to a particular region with stamps, pics and explanations.
With the eighteenth of these sheets I’d like to introduce is Pays de la Loire.

The Pays de la Loire means the lower half and the atlantic region it goes through.
In the Middle Ages it was the richest region of “France” and king ransoms were paid with silver pounds minted in Tours and Angers with controlled the very bridges across a very large river.

There is an incredible abondance of culinary specialties.
You will discover the following on the sheet:
-Oysters which will foundtheir way on Paris tables.
-Brioche vendeens, copied all over the World.Fleur de Sel/Salt Flower
-Petit Beurre Natais, another biscuit known all the World.
Don’t forget the numerous wines along the River Loire to be drunk with a plate of eels.
Discover the Pommeau and other spirits shared with the neighbouring charente region.

A resort area wher you sometimes spekmore English than French!

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Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

—————————————-
日本語のブログ
—————————————-

France has issued many stamps on food (not foodstamps!) on her own gastronomy for quite some time.
A new series will be issued on April 25th and wil be printed in the form of mini-sheets dedicated to a particular region with stamps, pics and explanations.
With the seventeenthth of these sheets I’d like to introduce is Paris.

I have doubts as whether Paris can be called a “region”. It has at least the merit ot offer gastronomy from the whole of France for visitors who don’t the time to venture out of its borders.

It counts some of the best tables (for a price) in France.
Paris was the first city in France to serve the ubiquitous Baguette, often called “Parisienne”, after marie-Antoinette introduced it from her native Austria together with the Croissant and cafes.

Did you there is is vineyard inside Paris?

I agree that Paris has a ot to show, although it hasn’t regained the safety of old times. The bistros at least would warrant a long stay!

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Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ
—————————————-

France has issued many stamps on food (not foodstamps!) on her own gastronomy for quite some time.
A new series will be issued on April 25th and wil be printed in the form of mini-sheets dedicated to a particular region with stamps, pics and explanations.
With the sixteenthth of these sheets I’d like to introduce is Nord-Pas de Calais.

“Nord” stands for the Northern part of France south of Belgium and “Pas de Calais” is the coastline directly facing Dover, England.
The last possession of our English cousins at the end of the 100 Years War, it is both a rich agricultural and industrial region.
The culinary specialies featured here are:
-Maroilles, one of its most famous cheeses.
-Betises de Cambrai/Cambrai’s stupidities, probably the most renown French bonbon/sweet!
-Cickory, used instead of coffee or tea even now!

The sea and the coastline provide for many varieties of fish and shellfish, notably mussles (also featured on this sheet!) whose recipes we copied from our Belgian neighbours (including frites/fried potatoes!).

In winter, visit the numerous harbours, castles and farmsteads. In summer join the British on the beaches!

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Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ
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