Can a root vegetable predict the future?

Plus, strawberry balls and a road trip snack worth packing [View in your browser.]( [Gastro Obscura]( [The Victorians' Lavish Spring Strawberry Parties]( [In a rapidly industrializing world, European Victorians found “natural and simple” activities such as strawberry picking great party ideas. Expanding upon this idea, Americans dedicated entire evenings to lavish strawberry parties that were more like balls than picnics. Guests waltzed well into the evening and dined on “strawberries and cream, ices, pine apples, and champagne.” It wasn’t merely the wealthy who partook in the festivals, either.]( [Continue reading]( [Would You Trust an Onion to Predict the Weather?]( [As far back as the Middle Ages, across Italy and Germany, farmers have used onions and other root vegetables to predict the year’s precipitation. While seemingly quaint today, in an age of instant forecasts at your fingertips, you can still find families consulting the “onion calendar” in Europe and the Midwestern United States. Are you curious about what the onions have in store for you? We’ve got the instructions to help you out. And if you don’t like the reading, you at least had the initial makings for tomorrow’s dinner.]( [Try it for yourself]( [Drink Tea the Traditional Estonia Way]( [If you find yourself in the Estonian village of Old Believers, we suggest stopping for a rest and some tea at Samovar House. This private museum houses nearly 100 antique samovars, ornately etched and embellished metal urns used to boil water for tea. Originally invented in Russia, samovars add a certain flair to any tea service. Visitors to the museum can browse the collection and take part in workshops on the Estonian tradition of savoring tea.]( [Take a sip]( [The Snack of Choice for Central Asia’s Nomads]( [It’s warming up in the northern hemisphere, and we’re thinking about road trips. What goes well with road trips? Snacks! But, you say, “Trail mix is passé; jerky is boring. Give us something new.” Why not whip up a batch of qurt, the protein-packed, calcium-rich traditional dried dairy product that has sustained nomads across Central Asia for centuries? The process may be long, but you’ll be rewarded with a versatile treat that can keep for years—yes, years.]( [A recipe for you]( [Atlas Obscura Courses]( [Taste Honey Like a Sommelier]( [From the local climate to the diverse flora—and the honeybees that visit them—the environment in which honey is made can impact its final taste. In this three-part seminar with premier honey sensory expert Marina Marchese, you’ll learn how flowers and terroir affect honey’s sensory characteristics and learn to taste honey like an expert. Students wishing to participate must enroll and order your tasting kit by tomorrow, May 8!]( [Enroll Now »]( [Add a place to Atlas Obscura]( [Forward this email to a friend]( [d0b0110c-adef-46fe-a37c-c6a4a5bd18fe.png]( [5d9568f4-2a02-4efe-bdea-03a3f27b1060.png]( [03d8ab17-efe7-4adf-ad26-f53203d8a858.png]( [b37902f5-67f5-4692-b86e-4d9acfa9ffe1.png]( [923671d1-2471-4bd0-bf83-4f600122ecc5.png]( [0bbd485c-ec53-4799-8847-87e8fbfbb39c.png]( [See all of our Newsletters]( [View in Browser]( • [Forward to a Friend]( [atlasobscura.com]( • info@atlasobscura.com 61 Greenpoint Ave #210, Brooklyn, NY 11222 [Unsubscribe {EMAIL}](