The Many Flavors of Kimchi

Natalie Halpern
Kimchi isn’t just a staple of Korean cuisine, it’s a way of life—which explains why Koreans consume more than 2 billion tons of this delicacy each year.

The History of Pizza

Colleen Brown
Pizza is a modern-day favorite—but did you know it existed in ancient Greece? A recent study linked the word “pizza” to “pita,” a food prevalent around the Mediterranean. From the eighth to fifth century BCE, the Greeks colonized southern Italy, bringing along their “plakous,” a round cheese pie with a crust that doubled as a handle.

Turmeric: India's Golden and Sacred Spice

Natalie Halpern
From lattes and fragrant curries to Hindu rituals and healing therapies, turmeric is an important spice in Indian culture. So, it comes as no surprise that the country produces more than 100,000 tons of turmeric each year.

The History of the Beltane Fire Festival

Colleen Brown
One of four Celtic festivals that mark the changing seasons, Beltane is celebrated on May 1st in Scotland, Ireland, and parts of England to commemorate the start of summer. Its name comes from a Gaelic word meaning “bright fire.”

The Diverse Regions and Cultures of Brazil

Natalie Halpern
With more than 213 million people, Brazil isn’t just the sixth most populous country in the world. It’s also one of the most diverse. And nowhere are the country’s many multi-ethnic traditions, music, and beliefs more vivid than in each of its five regions.

The Many Superstitions of Taiwanese Culture

Colleen Brown

Taiwan has a culture steeped in tradition and one in which age-old Chinese superstitions are ever-present.

Numbers are of particular significance in Taiwanese culture. According to locals, four is unlucky because it sounds like the Mandarin word for death. With negative connotations surrounding the number, hospitals don’t have a fourth floor in Taiwan, and apartments on the fourth floor often have lower rent than other units.

10 Facts You May Not Know About Jordan

Colleen Brown
The Dead Sea, bordered by Jordan to the East, is nearly ten times as salty as the ocean, which results in a buoyant experience for visitors who come to float. It is also the lowest point of elevation on earth: the shores around the Dead Sea are approximately 1500 feet below sea level.

The Secret Behind Sardinia's Centenarians

Natalie Halpern
A cluster of villages in central Sardinia is one of five places in the world where people are the healthiest and live the longest. Termed a blue zone by demographers, this area of Sardinia has one of the highest proportions of residents who are 100 or older.

Japan's Secret Language of Flowers

Colleen Brown
As spring brings warmer temperatures in the northern hemisphere, flowers are beginning to bloom again. In Japanese culture, each bloom conveys specific emotions and messages. This symbolism is known as hannakotoba or “the language of flowers” in English and reflects the physical attribute of each plant, as well as its presence in art and literature.