Christmas recipe serves: 8

calories per serving: 685

preparation time: 30 minutes + chilling

cooking time: 50 minutes

Suitable for freezing

Christmas recipe ingredients:

* white flour, plain 175 g (6 oz)
* butter, 225 g (8oz)
* caster sugar, 124 g (4 oz)
* orange, grated rind and juice from 1
* egg yolk, 1
* prunes, no-soak pitted 225 g (8 oz)
* eating apple, 1
* calvados, 60 ml (4 tbsp)
* almonds, ground 25 g (8 oz)
* eggs, beaten 2
* almonds, slivered or flaked 25 g (1 oz)
* apricot jam, 125 g (4 oz)
* Greek yogurt or fresh cream

Christmas recipe instructions:

1. Food process grated orange rind, caster sugar (25 g, 1 oz), chilled diced butter (125 g, 4 oz). Continue until like breadcrumbs, then pour into a bowl.
2. Blend mixed egg yolk and water (30 ml, 2 tbsp) into the mixture from step 1 and form a ball. Cover and chill for about 30 minutes.
3. Pour grated apple and chopped prunes over the calvados. Mix the remaing caster sugar, beaten eggs, ground almonds with the remaining butter (melted).
4. Line a 9 inch tin (1.25 inch deep with loose base) with thin rolled pastry . Bake until set.
5. Take the almond mixture from step 3 and add the prunes and apples. Sprinkle with almonds and bake for 30 minutes at gas mark 5 (190 degrees centgrade, 375 F) or until a light brown color. Cool for about 20 minutes.
6. Sieve a mixture of melted jam and orange juice (15 ml, 1tbsp) and brush over the top of the cooked tart. Serve cold or warm with fresh cream or greek yogurt.

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Even today there is a great deal of interest in the Battle of Normandy and many veterans, their children and grandchildren visit the area for a touring vacation. Many people visit the military cemeteries to see if they can find the graves of a fallen friend or family member. With the increasing interest in genealogy there is a growing number of younger people visiting Normandy to see if they can discover the grave of the grandfather or even great grandfather.

For those interested in this period of world history Normandy, France has a number of very interesting sites. It is still possible to see one of the Longues Battery casemates which housed 150-mm guns and protected the beaches from invasion. Other ruins exist in various stages of production such as the uncompleted Mont Fleury Battery, which is basically a breeze block shell. Some local landmarks were damaged by the bombardment, such as the Mont Fleury lighthouse which is closed to the public.

Today Normandy is a thriving holiday area with excellent countryside and gorgeous beaches and there are a number of Normandy guidebooks available to help plan your vacation. One of the most exciting ways in which to enjoy the area is by taking one of the motorcycle tours that are often available. If you are lucky enough to have good weather this is simply the best way in which to travel from one site to another.

If you are unable to take a bike tour of Normandy there are a number of organizations which offer alternatives such as Battlebus who offer Tours of the D-Day beaches and battlefields which are extremely popular with visitors from America. Other companies offer a more personal and bespoke service, often in a small people carrier type vehicle, this type of tour is often more flexible and there is often a choice of tour routes.

If you are planning a vacation in Normandy, France and you are considering booking a hotel in Normandy consider taking a two center vacation such as spending some time in Paris or even travel on to other areas of France. For those traveling from as far away as the U.S.A. such breaks may be the only opportunity to explore Europe. Whatever you decide we hope that you have a wonderful time.

Andrew Kelly writes widely for travel sites with his main interests being Scotland, England and Wales. However, when he stays in hotels in Normandy he uses his experiences in his writing and reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_M_Kelly

Many sites are found with information as to what apartments are up for rent, where they are located, how much they are per night or week, and so on. Just about any question can be answered, as well as an apartment in any location. There are places to stay that are near the water, for those who wish to spend time at the beach. For the avid shoppers, there are apartments located in the city too. Websites will guide a prospective renter through all the steps needed to finalize an apartment rental in Normandy, France.

There are holiday apartment rentals available in any of these five departments, and usually for any season. A typical site used to locate an apartment rental in Normandy, France is set up with a map of the five departments in Normandy. Once the choice is made as to which department is desired, the name is clicked on with the mouse and a page with a search box appears. This will allow the arrival and departure dates to be entered, to check availability. There are also boxes to enter a price range, in case there is a strict budget for the holiday rental.

In order to refine the search even more, there is a list of criteria to choose from. This list includes; the number of bedrooms desired, how many people the place can sleep, how many bathrooms are available, and the property type being searched for. To be even more in depth, there are guest facilities that can be added to the list of criteria as well. Choices among these include; air conditioning, pool, garden, dishwasher, barbecue, internet access, parking, and washing machine. The list of criteria doesn’t end there though, even specific accessibility and locations can be chosen.

After all the criteria has been chosen, the matching listings will appear. These listings include pictures of the apartments, how much they are per night or for the week, and the reviews given on the property.

There is a button to check details and availability of the property and a place to contact the owner as well. When the button labeled “details and availability” is clicked, a new page is displayed with more pictures of the property, as well as an in-depth description of it, and location information. Also included on this page is the distance from the nearest airport, ferry, train, motorway, beach, and anything else of importance.

Calendars are provided on this availability page, in order to display all available and unavailable dates for the apartment. Any additional information will be listed on this page as well, such as if towels and linens are provided, if a car is necessary, whether or not pets are allowed, or if the cost of gas and electricity are included with the rental price.

Even the language spoken by the owner is listed, right below the owner’s telephone number and directly above the length of time the owner has been listing properties with the website being viewed.

Insurance and cancellation policies are listed on this page, along with contact information for the owner. Inquiries can be made on the availability page, by entering in the pertinent information the owner will need such as; contact information, arrival and departure dates, the number of people staying at the property, and a message to the owner. All of the reviews posted about this property are displayed in a list form, with the date of stay posted at the top of the review.

This website even has a section of special offers, where rentals for a discounted price are listed. The search engine feature allows for quick listing of criteria, which helps to weed out properties that won’t be suitable. Being able to contact a property owner with questions is always helpful, especially when the owner is located in a completely different country. Finding a holiday apartment rental in Normandy, France can be easy and completely stress free, with all the advancements in internet technology today. Before making reservations, it is a good idea to make sure all travel arrangements are in order, especially when it comes to passports and other legal documentation needed to travel.

Apartment Rental Normandy

Holidays in Normandy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Bailey-Griffiths

Close to Home

For sheer convenience, it is hard to beat a family holiday in Normandy. It is the region of France that is closest to the UK, and a camping holiday in Normandy is only a short crossing on the ferry or Eurostar away. No epic car drives across the length of France – you can get to a campsite in Normandy in a matter of hours and the shorter the car journey, the fewer ‘are we there yet’ comments you’ll hear from the children in the back!

Great Beaches

Normandy has a glorious coastline, alternating characterful little coves with long stretches of golden sand. Most campsites in Normandy are concentrated along the coast, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a beach holiday and experience the beautiful Normandy countryside at the same time.

Superb Regional Cuisine

As any stay at a country campsite in Normandy reveals, it is a land of orchards and dairy farms, and sampling the local produce is a real highlight of camping here. Normandy produces over half of the milk and dairy produce that is consumed in France – Camembert is the most famous cheese from the region, but it also produces Neufchatel, Livarot, Pont l’Eveque and many others. From the orchards, apple based dishes and sauces dominate the cuisine, including many excellent ciders and apple brandies. Being a coastal region, the seafood is unsurprisingly very good – make sure to try a local assiette de fruits de mer while you are camping in Normandy.

Historical Sights

Normandy has more to offer than just good beaches and fine cuisine. There is some superb medieval architecture on display at the charming town of Hornfleur, which is a picturesque place for a day trip away from your Normandy campsite. At Bayeux, you can see the original Bayeux Tapestry, the spectacular linen weaving that tells the story of the 1066 Norman conquest.

The beaches of Normandy are famous for more than just being good for relaxing on; the D-Day landings in World War II signified the beginning of the serious land campaign which eventually led to Germany’s defeat. History buffs will enjoy exploring the Allied landing zones (including Omaha, Juno and Sword) and surveying the remnants of a great battle fought decades before.

Family Friendly Campsites

When manypeople think of camping, they imagine muddy fields, pouring rain, and the most basic of facilities, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many of the campsites in Normandy are luxurious, with restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts, onsite shops and a host of other facilities. Normandy campsites are perfect for families, with a combination of onsite facilities, beaches and local countryside all acting as playgrounds to keep the children entertained.

Stephen Lane is the Marketing Director of Canvas Holidays, one of the leading European camping and mobile home holiday company in the UK. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer tailor made Normandy camping holidays, as well holidays to the rest of France and other countries such as Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany and other destinations across 9 European countries.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Lane

The Location

Nowadays it’s easier than ever before to get across to France for a visit. Normandy is particularly easy, with a vast choice of traditional and super-fast ferries and the 35 minute Eurotunnel crossing. For golfers in the south, a golf break in Normandy is actually easier to get to than a trip up to Scotland.

Once you get there, Normandy is picturesque with a “very French” mix of ports and resorts, of villages and fields, of chateaux and bustling bars. It’s different enough to feel like a proper break, while comfortingly familiar to Anglophiles.

Hospitable Hotels

In terms of welcoming lodgings for a golf holiday, Normandy is very well served. There’s everything from the best in luxury and service (Hotel Normandy Barriere, Deauville), smaller charming hotels (Dormy House, Etretat) and city-based accommodation (Mercure Centre, Rouen) to choose from, and the service and atmosphere of them is very friendly. Many of these hotels have excellent restaurants but if you’re looking to explore further afield there are plenty of charming eateries offering very reasonable prices. Diners will of course be entranced with the famous seafood,
especially the shellfish. For non-fish eaters, Normans are hearty eaters and love cooking with cream and Calvados. And with a different cheese for every day of the year…Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l’Eveque are all local specialities.

Celebrated Courses

The best thing about a golf holiday in Normandy is its excellent courses. There are many good courses in the region but ones which deserve a special mention are Etretat (one of the best links in France and conveniently adjacent to the Dormy House hotel),
Chateau de la Chouette (a real hidden gem!), Golf Parc (some of the best target golf in the country) and, my personal favourite, Champ de Bataille which is quite stunning and very testing in parts. All told, we recommend 21 courses golf courses in Normandy – you’ll be very pleasantly impressed with our choice.

Plenty to Do

Of course the region is best known for the historic Normandy beach landings of June 1944 and there’s plenty to honour the memory with some fascinating museums. On top of this, the region is also home to the Bayeux tapestry and the breathtaking Mont St. Michel – one of the most visited sites in the whole of the country.

For a bit of a change from the UK’s courses, a Normandy golf break is a great idea. It’s local, reasonably priced, has plenty to see and do and of course has some truly memorable golf courses. Take a golf holiday in Normandy and rediscover your love of the game.

About the Author

Morgan Clarke

Demand for wine in Indian restaurants is split almost 50/50 between white and red and there are some excellent choices. Recommended white wines include the obvious Chardonnay(which includes Chablis), South African Chenin Blanc, Italian Pinot Grigio or Orvieto and the hugely improved Viognier.
Excellent reds are Merlot, New World Shiraz and Margauz and the offerings of Chile and Argentina offer excellent value at present.

WHITE

Chardonnay – medium to full-bodied, dry
Poultry and game birds, veal and pork, rabbit, fish and pasta preparations which feature cream and or butter, mushrooms and most Indian spiced dishes when served at correct temperature. Possibly the most popular white wine.

Sauvignon Blanc – light-medium bodied, dry
Starters, seafood, most ethnic dishes, pasta, curry, salsa, tomato sauces, oil based dishes, vegetable dishes.

Chenin Blanc – light to medium-bodied, normally off-dry
Chicken, sushi, curry, Oriental dishes, pork. South African and Chilean particularly good at present served well chilled.

Traminer – light to medium body, usually semi sweet, occasionally off-dry
Spicy cuisines such as Chinese, Mexican and Indian but can be too strong for happy marriage. Some labels are excellent.

Riesling – light to medium bodied, semi-sweet to off-dry
Crabmeat, appetizers, pork, salads. Depends very much on the label. Considerably improved of late

Semillon – medium bodied dry white
Fish, foods with creamy sauces such as pasta. Very good for spicy cuisines when blended with Chardonnay.

Verdelho – medium bodied dry white
Grilled fish, fruit platters, pastas with cream based sauce

RED

Cabernet Sauvignon – medium to full-bodied, tannic and dry
Beef, lamb, pork, duck, game, cheeses

Merlot – medium to full-bodied, less tannic than Cabernet and dry
Beef, lamb, pork, duck, game, stews, pizza, pasta, spicy dishes. One of the best house wines

Shiraz – medium to full bodied
Excellent with rich spicy meals. Veal, kangaroo, duck. Some sparkling Shiraz can be very good with pastries and puddings

Grenache – medium to full bodied dry red
Fillet steak, sweet seafood, chicken and red meats. The white Grenache can also be very good with spicy cuisines as a good value wine.

Pinot Noir – medium to light-bodied, dry, low tannin with silky texture
Lamb, duck, turkey, game birds, beef, rabbit, semi-soft cheeses

ROSE

Rose – great variations depending on level of residual sugar
Smoked foods, quiche, pork, some Mexican and Thai food. Can be served with any food

CHAMPAGNE

Brut – dry sparkling

Aperitifs and first courses. Fuller bodied variations go well with any fish or chicken. According to scientific research sparkling wine and champagne in particular stimulate the palate and flow of gastric juices as an ideal aperitif much better than traditional sherry or Martini. Champagne raises the necessary stomach acid to 95% of its maximum level and beer is surprisingly high at 85%. Martini could only score 57% and calvados and armagnac hardly register which is why they are best at the end of a meal as an aid to digestion. Start your spicy meal with a glass of bubbly!

About the Author

Curry Master

Creation of Normandy

It would be interesting to begin your French holidays with some knowledge of the creation of Normandy. The name Normandy actually derives from the Gaul term for ‘Northman’. Normandy began as a fiefdom created for a Viking leader called Rollo. As Rollo hailed from the North, hence the region he presided over was called Normandy. Rollo’s descendant, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy subjugated England in 1066 to become the first King of England following his victory at the Battle of Hastings.

Historical Past of Normandy

The rich history of Normandy draws numerous tourists to this spectacular region every year. The decisive Operation Overlord of World War II, which saw the mobilisation of massive numbers of Allied infantry and supplies, began the assault on France from the D-Day amphibious landings on the Calvados coast of Normandy, on 6 June 1944. The Battle of Normandy witnessed ferocious military battles for the eventual liberation of France. This crucial turning point in the war was a critical period in the historical past of Normandy.

Interesting Towns to Visit in Normandy

When you’re in Normandy during your holidays in France, visit the famous spa town, Bagnoles de l’Orne. Here you can relax and be pampered to ease away your fatigue and muscle tension or go swimming and golfing. The bourgeois villas in the town sport unique roofing, bow windows and polychrome facades.

French holidays will beckon you to visit the Mont-St-Michel, where a medieval Benedictine Abbey stands majestically on a sheer clump of rocks. The marvellous architecture of this Abbey and its unique location makes this a critical itinerary in your holidays in France.

Head on to the town of Bayeux where you can view the marvellous embroidered tapestry recounting the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England. It dates to the time of William the Conqueror.

At the town of Lassay-les-Chateaux you can visit a 15th century stone castle that is still completely standing. A little further north of this town is Domfort, which boasts narrow streets and the ruins of medieval castles.

There are 600km of Normandy coastline with beautiful beaches and sculpting cliffs.  Whether it’s sailing, canoe-kayaking, kite surfing or wind surfing, Normandy has excellent facilities around the coast.  Childen can play on the golden sand beaches.  History lovers can relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches, world famous for the part it played in turning around World War 2.

About 8 kms away is the lovely village of Lonlay L’Abbaye, your destination for a peaceful conclusion to your holidays in France. This typical French village is the epitome of French holidays as you will be able to interact with the friendly local populace and enjoy the special Normandy cuisine.

About the Author

Robert Elliott

Among France’s eleven wine-growing regions the Rhone Valley ranks second in acreage. The region extends 125 miles (200 kilometers) along the Rhone River. This region is actually composed of two parts, the north and the south whose wines tend to be quite different. The northern Rhone Valley is quite narrow. Its major red grape variety is Syrah, while its major white variety is Viognier. The northern Rhone Valley produces some of the best red wines in all France, and according to its fan club, some of the best red wines on earth. The southern Rhone Valley produces about 95% of the Rhone Valley wines. This is the kingdom of grape blending. For example the famous Chateauneuf-Du-Pape AOC wine may contain a maximum of thirteen different grape varieties.

Vienne, population about thirty thousand, was a major town in Roman Gaul and still retains a lot of its history and its charm. Near the river you’ll find the Romanesque church of St-Pierre already rebuilt in the Ninth Century. The Gothic Cathedral of St-Maurice was built during the Eleventh to Sixteenth Centuries and largely destroyed in a religious war during the mid-Sixteenth Century. Rue des Orf?es (Goldsmiths’ Street) is filled with Renaissance buildings and the Romanesque church St-Andre-le-Bas (St. Andrew the Lesser).

Vienne’s Theatre Romain (Roman Theater) is one of the largest in France; it spans almost 450 feet (140 meters) and once held thirteen thousand spectators. Excavation started only in 1922. This theater hosts a great jazz festival in July. Other Roman ruins include the Temple d’Auguste et de Livie (Temple of Augustus and Livia) erected by the Emperor Claudius and the Plan de l’Aiguille (Needle Tower), a truncated pyramid that was once part of a Roman circus. Some say that this structure encloses the tomb of Pontius Pilate.

Before reviewing the Cotes du Rhone wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Foie Gras avec Gelee de Viognier (Goose Liver Pate with Viognier Jelly). As your second course savor Chevreau a l’Ail et Herbes Sauvages (Baby Goat with Garlic and Wild Herbs). And for dessert indulge yourself with Granite aux Pommes et Calvados (Apple and Calvados Ice).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed Domaine du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage 2005 13% about $25

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Until 1992, Florent Viale and his father sold all of their grapes to negociants. As Crozes-Hermitage came into its own, the Viales decided to make their own wines. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. Layers of blackberry, tar and black pepper dominate their finely made Syrah-based wines. A very good match for roast leg of lamb.

My first meal was a barbecue including a rib steak marinated in a homemade ketchup-based sauce with chunks of garlic, corn on the cob, and red-skinned potatoes. The wine was powerful and mouth-filling. It was quite long and had no trouble maintaining its flavors. I didn’t used to be a fan of tannins but these Crozes-Hermitage tannins melted in my mouth along with the meal.

My next meal involved a combination of marinated barbecued beef and veal ribs, red-skinned potatoes, and a garlic-based Moroccan salad. First I tried the more subtle veal ribs. The Crozes-Hermitage was very powerful with a lot of tobacco. While this wine was very powerful it complemented the veal very well. The taste of dark fruit was predominant with the beef ribs. While there was quite a change in the wine, with both types of ribs it was simply great. Dessert consisted of blueberry fruit juice candy. I was somewhat surprised but the wine was a good accompaniment. I tasted blackberries in the wine.

I know how much this wine likes beef and veal, so I decided to try it with barbecued chicken marinated in a commercial Mediterranean-style light sauce. The wine was careful not to overwhelm the meat. Once again the meal included barbecued red-skinned potatoes and this time, perhaps because the meat was subtler, the potatoes had more effect bringing out the earthiness of the wine. Interestingly enough the intensive Turkish Salad was the least successful accompaniment to the wine. One might have expected the contrary, namely, that the greatest pairing success would be with the strongest tasting component. The Turkish Salad and Crozes-Hermitage combination was good, it just wasn’t as good as the other pairings in this meal.

The first cheese was a mild-tasting Italian Pecorino Fruilano. This wine is so fine that even though the cheese flattened it somewhat, it remained excellent. But believe me, I won’t subject the wine to such an indignity again. The second cheese was a nutty tasting Dutch Edam. This more powerful cheese had less of a flattening effect on the wine. Go figure.

Final verdict. This wine is a definite winner. I went back to my previous article describing a Rhone Valley wine: I Love French Wine And Food – A Red Cotes du Rhone to refresh my memory. I was very happy with that much more modest wine, priced at about half of this one. Is the Crozes-Hermitage better? Yes. Is it twice as good? That’s a hard question. It really depends on how you view wines. The Crozes-Hermitage is definitely a fine wine for its price range, as was the other. I am definitely tempted to taste a Rhone Valley red wine in the $50 range. But I can’t promise you when. Perhaps what I should do is buy a case of this Crozes-Hermitage and drink one a year and see if the critics are right when they say it can be cellared for many, many years.

About the Author

Levi Reiss

Scenic Countryside

Your Normandy vacation would be replete with views of the stunning landscapes, from the rugged cliffs at the coast to the hills to the valleys of the interior. The artistic Romantic movement of the late 18th century drew renowned painters such as Turner to admire the fabulous landscape and produce fantastic masterpieces on canvas depicting the Normandy countryside. His contemporary, Theodore Gericault, from the town of Rouen, was equally inspired by strong emotions evoked from an awe of the forces of nature which he translated into sweeping works of incredible art.

Later artists of great stature such as Claude Monet, the founder of French impressionist painting, further enhanced the general public’s appreciation of Normandy scenes with his paintings of water lilies. Monet’s water lily garden in Giverny is a focal point for tourists during their holidays in Normandy. All these striking colours, unusual light and dazzling scenery are as beautiful today as they were when first painted in the 19th century. Normandy’s artistic heritage is now on public display in museums throughout the world.

Golfing Haven

The charming countryside is enhanced with world class golf courses that are spread all across the region. When you’re embarking on golfing holidays in France, a Normandy vacation will bring you to some of the most striking courses in the land. Combine your golf with culture as you visit the numerous Abbeys, chateaux and cathedrals where you can enjoy the brilliant artistic and architectural legacy of Normandy. You can tee off in a golf course in Rouen, famous for its 100 bell towers and as the city in which Joan of Arc was martyred.

Something For the Children

When you take your children for a Normandy vacation, you can thrill them with luxurious swims in the sea off the northern coast of France. You can picnic on the beach along a 600km coastline and watch your children frolic gleefully in the cool waters of the English Channel. Normandy is famous for its love of everything equine. The local population will be more than pleased to express their fond appreciation of this swift and majestic animal. You could take your children horse riding at Haras du Pin, a horse breeding estate, and learn about the way horses are bred and cared for. You could entertain your loved ones to horse shows at Deauville and admire the precision in the movements of highly trained show horses.

Savouring Special Drinks

You’ll be amazed at the proliferation of apple trees and the sheer volume of apples in Normandy. The abundance of these cousins to the rose bush means that this French region is particularly noted for its cider, both excellent in taste and bouquet. Your holidays in Normandy won’t be complete if you don’t have a whiff of their apply brandy, called calvados. This alcoholic beverage is a popular drink which is consumed by the locals in the intervening period between courses of a meal. A blending of apple brandy and unfermented cider produces pommeau, an aperitif you must enjoy during your Normandy vacation.

Specific Normandy Dishes

With the wealth of apples in this beautiful region, you’ll find the local dishes have special cuisine that makes imaginative use of this delicious fruit. When dining out during your holidays in Normandy, you could savour the taste of moules à la normande – a dish of mussels that have been expertly cooked in cream and apples. If you’re a fan of pastries, try bourdelots or baked apples in pastry. You must also bite into the local variation of apple tart, the flan Normandy.

Staying in Normandy

To truly enjoy your Normandy vacation, you should stay in accommodation that exemplifies the beauty and history of this exquisite region. The lush countryside is home to luxurious manor houses now converted to self contained apartments with breathtaking views. Premier among these is Le Manoir Nezement in Lonlay L’Abbaye, a quaint village nestled just 6 miles from Domfort and easily accessible from Caen. Here you can relax in the gentle and laid back country lifestyle of rural France where you’ll meet wonderful local personalities at the patisserie and village bar.

Your holidays in Normandy will refresh you with adventurous outdoor activities in the verdant countryside. Revel in the local, apple based, delicacies and beverages. Luxuriate in accommodation that will rejuvenate you!

About the Author

If you order coffee in a café in France (and I surely hope you do) you will receive a small cup of espresso strength coffee. Some places you can get a cup of filtered coffee, known as café à l’américaine. Here are some more terms to help you get your java order filled the way you want:

1.Le Café-For most people in France the day begins with a hot drink. People do use the aptly named French press coffee pot, as well as other home brewing methods, but lots of people drink their coffee at the local bar/café standing at the counter reading the morning news or chatting with friends. Here you can order:

Un Café – A small cup of espresso-strength coffee.

Un Double – Twice the amount of the same coffee.

Une Noissette – Once again this is an espresso, but there is a hint of cream or milk floating on top.

Café au Lait – An espresso with hot milk added.

Café Léger – Espresso-strength coffee that has been watered down.

Chocolat Chaud – Hot chocolate. Lots of times this will be made without sugar – you add the amount you want.

Thé – Tea, usually served in a small pot with a cup and sugar alongside it.

Thé au Lait – Tea with a small pitcher of hot milk too.

Tisane – Herbal tea. Popular herbal teas in France include verbena, lime flower, mint, chamomile, and sage.

2.Soft Drinks-Well if you have survived all of that, you might be wishing for something a little less strong the next day! As everywhere in the world you can have a Coke, just don’t forget to call it a coca when you order. The French are even drinking decaffeinated and artificially sweetened sodas this days. Not necessarily progress!

Drink syrups are extremely popular in France. You will find grenadine syrup and many other syrups, such as mint, fruit flavors, and even nut and almond flavors.

3.Milk-If you buy milk in France you may be surprised to find it in non-refrigerated plastic bottles or cartons. Although you can find pasteurized milk, most of the milk in France is UHT (ultra haute température), or ultra high temperature treated. This gives the milk a shelf life of many months and is a great convenience to French shoppers who can stock up and avoid some of those last minute dashes to the grocery store. You will find that UHT milk has a slightly different taste than pasteurized.

4.Eau

And finally there is water. The French, just like a lot of Europeans, have been drinking various bottled mineral waters for years. There are dozens of popular brands include Badoit, Contrex, Evian, St. Yorre, and Perrier. Each has a different taste. Some are carbonated to varying degrees and others not at all. Some have a high mineral content and can be good sources of magnesium as well as calcium.

It would be a shame to come to France and not try some of the wines. France has numerous wine regions and each specializes in certain sorts of wine. Here are a few terms just to get you started:

• vin rouge – red wine

• vin blanc – white wine

• sec – dry

• doux – sweet

• AOC – stands for Appellation d’Origine Control. This signifies the wine has to meet certain standards and have been grown in a certain region.

Well if you made it through the meal and still would like to try something else, you could order an after dinner drink. Brandies, known as eaux de vie, are popular. You will of course find Cognac and Armagnac, but you might also like to try Calvados, which is a French apple brandy from Normandy. Many people make their own brandies and restaurant owners will often offer you a small glass of their homemade eau-de-vie (on the house) at the end of a meal.

After all that food and drink you might like to try one of France’s herbal teas to help you digest. Herbal teas are known as tisanes and you can find different ones to remedy just about any situation. Some popular ones include verbena, lime flower, mint, chamomile, and sage.

Finally, when raising your glass in France remember these words for the toast:

For more information visit<a onClick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(’/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.freecouponsbuzz.com”>www.freecouponsbuzz.com</a>

About the Author

Anand