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Hvítserkur

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Hvítserkur

Let your imagination run wild interpreting the form of Hvítserkur.

  • Hvítserkur is an eroded rock that protrudes out from the shores of north-western Iceland, in the waters of Húnafjörður, near the Vatnsnes peninsula.
  • Hvítserkur reaches a height of 15 metres (49 feet) from sea level, and it is a grey and white colour, with the white caused by minerals deposited through bird droppings.
  • Hvítserkur is made primarily of basalt rock, that has been eroded over years due to the constant activity of ocean waves.
  • In 1955, there were three holes at the base of Hvítserkur, giving it four ‘legs’, however, there were concerns that the structure would give way, so plans were made that year to preserve the structure with concrete.
  • Birds, including seagulls and fulmars, are attracted to nest on Hvítserkur, while seals are located nearby.
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Hvítserkur
Image courtesy of Janko Hoener/Flickr
  • The term ‘Hvítserkur’ in Icelandic, means ‘white shirt’, which refers to the mottled white colours visible on the formation.
  • Before the crater wore away, Hvítserkur is said to have plugged the mouth of a now extinct volcano.
  • The base of Hvítserkur is reinforced with concrete, which stabilises the formation to prevent it from breaking away, and this has reduced the number of large holes at the base of the structure from three, to two.
  • Hvítserkur can be seen from a viewing platform on land, and the formation is close enough to the shore, that it can be reached on foot at low tide.
  • Local legend suggests that Hvítserkur was once a troll, who failed to evade the morning sun, and as a result, was petrified in stone.
Bibliography:
Ætla að styrkja Hvítserk í Húnaflóa, 1955, VÍSIR, http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=82970&pageId=1182163&lang=is&q=styrkja
Hvítserkur, 2015, Atlas Obscura, http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hvitserkur
Hvítserkur, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hv%C3%ADtserkur
Ragnarsdóttir R, Hvítserkur | The Troll of North-West Iceland, n.d, Guide to Iceland, https://guidetoiceland.is/connect-with-locals/regina/hvitserkur-up-north

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Ranch Dressing

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Ranch Dressing

Get into the American taste with ranch dressing.

  • Ranch dressing is a condiment popularly used as flavouring for a variety of foods.
  • Typically, ranch dressing is made of buttermilk, mayonnaise, herbs and onion, with the occasional spice, however, many different versions are available, that come in a variety of flavours.
  • Ranch dressing was invented in the early 1950s by American Steve Henson, and was served to the guests of his tourist accommodation known as Hidden Valley Ranch.
  • The ranch dressing served to tourists was well received, leading to the sauce being made so that it could be sent home with the guests, and later began being manufactured commercially.
  • Hidden Valley Ranch Food Products Inc were the original producers of ranch dressing, and it was sold to The Clorox Company in 1972 for eight million dollars.
Ranch Dressing, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Food, Condiment, Sauce, White, American,
Ranch Dressing
Image courtesy of Brad.K/Flickr
  • Ranch dressing is commonly used to flavour salads, and it is also used as a dip and as a sauce, for both vegetables and meat.
  • Ranch dressing took the status of the United State’s most commercially popular dressing as of 1992, a title previously held by Italian dressing, and held that spot for at least 20 years.
  • Ranch dressing was originally difficult to store, due to the quantity of dairy in the recipe, however, in 1983, the recipe was developed so that a shelf stable product could be sold in supermarkets, where it could be obtained in a bottle without the need of refrigeration.
  • The popularity of ranch dressing saw a sharp increase during the 1980s, as restaurants began to offer the dressing as part of their menu, and its ready availability in supermarkets also contributed to its prominence.
  • Depending on the recipe, ranch dressing may be high in vitamin K, and it has significant quantities of fat, and sodium.
Bibliography:
Jones A, History of Ranch Dressing, 2015, eHow, http://www.ehow.com/about_5065787_history-ranch-dressing.html
Koerner J, Ranch Dressing, 2015, Slate, http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/number_1/2005/08/ranch_dressing.html
Ranch Dressing, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranch_dressing

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Plate Armour

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Plate Armour

Plate armour has saved the lives of millions.

  • Plate armour is an invention designed as a body covering, that was worn to defend against attacks, and was most commonly used for humans, but it was also used on horses.
  • The stereotypical image of plate armour is often known as a ‘suit of armour’.
  • The Ancient Greeks and Romans were major innovators in using plate armour, with the torso most protected, although full body coverings were relatively non-existent during this time.
  • Plate armour was reinvented in Medieval Europe around the 1200s, and reached a full suit by the 1400s, capable of protecting the entire body.
  •  A full suit of plate armour, including the helmet, generally weighed around 15 to 29 kilograms (33 to 64 pounds) and only minimally restricted movement.

Plate Amour, Suit, Metal, Shiny, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Medieval, Armor

  • The development of plate armour led to the redevelopment of weaponry, with such weapons aimed at penetrating the weakest points of the armour.
  • Plate armour declined in viability by the late 1600s due to the introduction of practical and portable fire-powered weapons, which most armour was useless in defending against.
  • A suit of plate amour typically consisted of a helmet, a torso covering, leg and arm coverings, and a pair of gauntlets to cover the hands.
  • Plate armour ranged in quality and price, from those available to commoners, to those commissioned by royalty, and they are still available for sale today, mainly as collector’s item or used for medieval festivities.
  • Either steel or iron was normally used to craft plate amour, and higher quality armour was generally well-tempered.
Bibliography:
Armour, 2013, Medieval Warfare, http://www.medievalwarfare.info/armour.htm
Arms and Armor—Common Misconceptions and Frequently Asked Questions, 2015, Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/aams/hd_aams.htm
Plate Amour, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plate_armour

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American Bullfrog

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American Bullfrog

Do you get a bit jumpy around American bullfrogs?

  • American bullfrogs are a species of large frog, native to Canada and southern and eastern parts of the United States, as well as parts of Mexico, and they are also just called ‘bullfrogs’, although this term can be used loosely to refer to other frog species.
  • The scientific name of an American bullfrog is Rana catesbeiana and it is from the family Ranidae, the family of true frogs.
  • The colour of the skin of American bullfrogs is generally a combination of green, brown, grey and yellow.
  • The length of an American bullfrog can range from 9 to 15 centimetres (3.5 to 6 inches) or larger, and it can weigh 300 to 500 grams (0.6 to 1.1 pounds) or more.
  • Anything swallowable makes up an American bullfrog’s diet, including fish and other water creatures, birds, rodents, reptiles and insects.
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American Bullfrog
Image courtesy of Katja Shulz/Flickr
  • American bullfrog hind legs are eaten as a food item by humans in a number of countries, and the frogs are often captured through spearing or by hand.
  • American bullfrog females can produce up to 20,000 eggs at a single time, and they hatch as tadpoles, which can take a few months and up to a few years, depending on water temperature, to grow into adult frogs.
  • Male American bullfrogs display social dominance, and they emit a deep sound when calling, said to be similar to that of cattle, hence their common name.
  • American bullfrogs can live up to 16 years, although this is rare – they are more likely to have a lifespan of  six to ten years.
  • American bullfrogs have been introduced, accidentally or deliberately, to parts of South America, Europe and Asia, and they have been detrimental to native species in some of these areas.
Bibliography:
American Bullfrog, 2015, National Geographic, http://animals.nationalgeographic.com.au/animals/amphibians/american-bullfrog/
American Bullfrog, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_bullfrog
Bullfrog, 2015, A-Z Animals, http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bullfrog/

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Kalanchoe Blossfeldina

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Kalanchoe Blossfeldina

Kalanchoe blossfeldina is a toxin in disguise.

  • Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a species of succulent plant that is perennial and also evergreen.
  • ‘Kalanchoe blossfeldiana’ is also known as ‘florist kalanchoe’, ‘kalanchoe’, ‘Christmas kalanchoe’, ‘flaming Katy’ and ‘Madagascar widow’s-thrill’.
  • Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is known as the scientific name of the plant, which is from the family Crassulaceae, the family of stonecrops.
  • The height of kalanchoe blossfeldiana generally reaches around 30 to 45 centimetres (12 to 18 inches) although smaller varieties are available.
  • Kalanchoe blossfeldina is native to the plateaus of Madagascar, Africa, and the plant is slow growing.

Kalanchoe Blossfeldina, Vegetation, Flower, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Pink

  • The flowers of Kalanchoe blossfeldina have four petals, though they can have more if they are a double variety, and they bloom numerously in clusters for long periods during autumn and winter months.
  • The colours of Kalanchoe blossfeldina flowers ranges from yellow, red, orange, purple, pink and white.
  • Kalanchoe blossfeldina is commonly used for ornamental purposes, particularly as a pot plant or in gardens.
  • The best growing conditions for kalanchoe blossfeldina is full sun and warm climates, while the plant needs significant exposure to light to thrive.
  • On consumption, Kalanchoe blossfeldina is toxic, particularly to animals, and the flower contains the highest concentration of toxins.
Bibliography:
Care of the Kalanchoe Plant, 2005, Al Krismers Plant Farm, http://www.krismers.com/Kalanchoe_care.pdf
The Flaming Katy, 2015, Our House Plants, http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/flaming-katy
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalanchoe_blossfeldiana
Smith G, Toxicology Brief: Kalanchoe species poisoning in pets, 2004, dvm360, http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/toxicology-brief-kalanchoe-species-poisoning-pets?rel=canonical

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Nori

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Nori

Faces crinkle when nori is eaten!

  • Nori is a food item traditionally eaten as part of Japanese and Korean cuisine, and it is also consumed in China, but is less common.
  • Typically nori is made of an edible species of red seaweed, from the Pyropia and Porphyra genera, such as Pyropia yezoensis (the most commonly used species) and Pyropia tenera, both of which were previously part of the Porphyra genus, that are especially farmed for this purpose.
  • Nori is made by washing the seaweed in clean water, cutting it into small pieces via a machine, mixing the pieces with water and pouring the mixture onto mats to create sheets, which are passed through a drier, after which the sheets may be toasted, a process comparable to that of paper-making.
  • Nori is traditionally used as a wrapping around rice to make sushi and onigiri, and it may be used to flavour other rice dishes as well as soup and noodles.
  • Nori can be found in Asian grocery stores, although it is becoming increasingly common to find the product in general supermarkets, and it is typically sold as sheets in airtight packets, often including a moisture absorbent, as the product is susceptible to moisture, and thus should be stored in a dry place.
Nori, Seaweed, Sheets, Food, Japanese, Culinary, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Sheet
Nori
Image courtesy of John Lodder/Flickr
  • The production of nori has occurred since at least 700 AD, as a paste, although it was not made into dry sheets until the early 1700s, while British scientist, Kathleen Drew-Baker contributed to a major breakthrough in the industry in the mid 1900s, and ‘one man’ machines have also revolutionised production since 1975.
  • Japan is the greatest producer of nori in the world, and produced 10 billion sheets in 2003, and it is the most widely eaten seaweed in Japan.
  • Nori is very high in iodine and is high in vitamin A, vitamin C and manganese, and contains many other vitamins and minerals.
  • ‘Nori’ is also known as ‘laver’ in some western cultures, and it can be flavoured and eaten as a food by itself, and it has a crispy texture in the packet, but once it is in use, it becomes limp and chewy.
  • The darker the colour of nori, the higher quality it is, and the product is typically roasted or toasted before consuming, although this is often done prior to packaging, which will turn it from a deep red, purple or almost black colour, to a dark green.
Bibliography:
About Seaweed, 2014, Seaweed Industry Association, https://seaweedindustry.com/seaweed/type/pyropia-yezoensis
Nori, 2015, All About Sushi Guide, http://www.allaboutsushiguide.com/nori.html
Nori, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nori
Reavis R, Nori – Japan’s Most Famous Seaweed: Part I, History and Traditional Use, 2012, Glendale Community College Blog, https://glendalecommunitycollege.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/nori-japans-most-famous-seaweed-part-i-history-and-traditional-use/

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