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A Timeless Secret

It is said that the art of distilling was discovered somewhere in Asia in approximately 800 B.C. The assumption was that this technique was merely used to make perfumes, however this has been refuted.

The method by which the processes found its way to the British Isles is uncertain; however we do know that the Moors brought the art of distilling to Europe. It is believed that the art was then refined in monasteries throughout central Europe. Apparently the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, carried this trade into the monasteries in 432 AD on a Christian mission. Regardless, the Celts did attain the secret eventually and made their water of life that in Gaelic is pronounced Uisge Beatha.

This simple yet not well-known name is how the scotch whiskey came to be, as Uisge means whiskey. The millstone year for whiskey in history would have to be 1494 as a Sir Friar John Cor of Scotland ordered eight bolls of malt. It was reportedly to be used for aqua vitae which is the first accountable proof of production of whiskey in Scotland.

The skill of distilling soon left the monasteries for the farms where just about everyone was making whiskey up until about 1820 this is when the government decided they were going to shut down personal and private distilleries making them illegal. The rough and sometimes brutal taste differs greatly from today. It was not until the eighteenth century that it was discovered that with aging came a mellower brew. The findings of the aging process was practically tripped upon when an old cask long forgotten was found full of the good stuff.

The uniting of the two parliaments one from England and one from Scotland in the year 1707 is what drew into effect the Union Act. Realizing that it would pay off for both sides, they came up with an unheard of plan for making the malt.

By the year 1725 the English malt tax was forged however not without bloodshed. At this time every second bottle of malt distilled in Scotland was of the illegal kind due to roving excise men, illicit distilleries, and the fashion of smuggling.

In 1820s much trouble arose in the form of crime and tough taxing policies which eventually became completely unmanageable. To solve the problem, the government ordered the Excise Act which allowed the government to track which distilleries were legal and those which were not by using labels.

Whisky started out as a product for the British market in the 1820s, but today it has become a drink that is appreciated and loved around the world. Much of this incredible development is the result of the introduction of blended whisky. Even today approximately 90 percent of all whisky that is produced in Scotland is used in blended whisky. However the interest of single malt whisky has increased in recent years and this development is likely to continue.

A Manly Drink

When you think of a mans drink, what comes to mind? Baileys? Vodka? To many, scotch seems to be the drink of choice for grown men and seemingly this choice has been made for many, many years. There is most probably not a spirit, more endeared by men than scotch.

Scotch is made here in America, but the finest scotch is made in the Isles of Scotland. Scotch from Islay Scotland, can cost you a pretty penny. The scotch mentioned here from Scotland is from the Bruichladdich distillery in Islay Scotland, which is at the most southern of all Hebridian islands. The scotch made there is so rare that it can only be purchased at the distillery.

Here in America, scotch is not so hard to come by. A bottle of Wild Turkey costs, on average, about $22.00. Whereas a high end whiskey can cost up to $50.00 a bottle. Compare that to a fine scotch from is isles at around $120.00 per bottle and you will see the difference isnt so much in the bottle, but in the spirit itself.

A Bottle of Their Own

The majority of fine scotch distillers sell casks of their product as a whole for blending purposes as well as to private buyers. Usually the distiller name will be placed on a blended product however not the logo. This is an indication that the product is indeed blended and not single malt.

Most independent bottling companies will bottle products from single casks and may or may not be from the original bottling source. At this time many renowned distillers are trying to end the open market of bottling operations as it is infringing on their overall sales.

Some malt companies will incorporate more than one batch of their scotch into the cask selling to ensure the independent bottlers from selling it as a single malt product. Many independent bottlers will use merely a geographical region or an alias of the distiller, as to avoid any legal repercussions. This method of legal sneakiness is known as bastard bottling. Either way the society of scotch malt whiskey can still track the product by the distiller number.

Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments of Food Allergy in Cats

Food allergy does not only affect humans but also animals. It commonly affects cats and is considered among the major causes of atopy, and flea bite allergies. Cats may develop food allergies from frequently fed types of food.

Cats become sensitive with a certain food ingredient. Thus the antibodies in their intestinal tracts respond resulting to food allergy. In fact, among all types of allergies, food allergies are more prone to cats with a ten percent ratio.

Food allergies can affect female, male, and neutered cats. And it is also a misconception linking specific breeds of cats to food allergies. This condition can trigger symptoms in cats as young as five months old and as mature as twelve years old. But the majority of food allergy cases in cats occur between two and six years old. Cats having food allergies also have contact with inhalant allergies.

The major distinction of food intolerances from food allergies must be learned to correctly manage food allergy in cats. Food allergies are considered as true allergies showing characteristic symptoms such as itching as well as skin problems linked with canine and feline allergies. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs without creating allergic responses, then it is only food intolerances. Cat food intolerances are similar to humans getting stomach trouble or diarrhea because of eating fried or spicy foods. Both food allergies and food intolerances can be prevented by utilizing foods without offending agents.

Several studies revealed that some food ingredients are the major triggers of food allergies compared to others. The most common culprits in cats are beef, dairy products, and fish. As many pet owners have observed, these are the major ingredients found in cat foods. Although some proteins are slightly more antigenic, still it comes in similar forms. Thus allergic reactions depend on the amounts of exposure.

The symptoms of food allergies in cats are the same to most types of allergies. But the main symptoms are itchy skin, excessive scratching, miliary dermatitis, and hair loss. It can be difficult for pet owners to distinguish cats suffering from food allergies or atopy through physical signs. However, they must suspect of food allergy if symptoms start to manifest during the winter or all year-round and cats failed to respond to steroid and antihistamine treatments.

Diagnosing food allergies in cats is very simple provided that you can recognize symptoms of the different types of allergy. Food allergy symptoms can be similar to symptoms of bacterial or yeast infections, notoedric mange, seborrhoea, and hypersensitivity to intestinal parasites.

It is very important to perform food trials to cats. Provocative testing and elimination diets can be done. Feed the cat with novel foods that contain carbohydrates and proteins for twelve weeks without treats. One typical example is potato and duck, or potato and venison. These types of food are commercially available or can be made at home. Young growing cats have already special nutritional needs. Homemade diets containing one carbohydrate and one protein without fatty acids and multivitamins can be fed for twelve weeks. Food trials in kitten are done through feeding a commercially balanced diet. After twelve weeks, feed the cats with previous foods they once eat, if symptoms appear, then it is food allergy. Other perform blood testing, but it is not that accurate compared to food trials.

The treatment of food allergy in cats is also simple. Feed the cats with specialized commercial diets form Purina or Hill or homemade balanced diets.

What Are Tamales

Tamales have a long history dating back to the Aztecs. They called the tamales, tamalli. In the Aztec language the word means “wrapped food”. They were made in different sizes and shapes in dishes and often served at festivals and ceremonies. The dough was very time consuming to make. The Aztecs would cook the tamales by burying them under hot coals. Once the Spanish conquistadores arrived, the Aztecs cooked the tamales in underground pits, or uncovered pots.

The outside of the tamale is dough with the insides being the filling. Tamales have a variety of fillings which include beef, pork, and green corn. Many Mexicans add other main ingredients. Chicken and pumpkin are also common fillings. Sweet tamales will include raisons and cinnamon. Sometimes you might even find fruit tamales. Once the tamales are made, it is wrapped in corn husks. After being wrapped, they can be steamed in a kettle.

Tamales are becoming very popular in the United States. Fillings besides the typical flavors in Mexico are popular. You will find beef, and another filling that consists of corn that is similar to creamed corn. Tamales are found at many Christmas dinners in the American Southwest. In the Southwest the tamales will have a spicy meat filling that is beef or pork and served with a chili con carne sauce. Tamales are easy to eat, and do not leave a mess. Americans are also enjoying them for dinner. Some grocers carry them in the frozen section along side tacos and burritos. The best way to eat tamales is when just out of the steamer. You can taste all of the spices and flavor. If reheated, they still will be enjoyable.

Another version of the tamale can be found in Arizona and Southern California. It is known as the green corn tamal. Don’t think that the green means that there is something wrong with the corn; it actually means “fresh”. The tamal consists of fresh white corn that is mixed with a variety of cheeses. It is then laid out with a slice of green chile. It is then wrapped in the corn husk and steamed. Another area in the United States that enjoys tamales is the Mississippi Delta. It became known when in the 1900s Mexican workers introduced the food to the African workers in the cotton fields in the South. They tamales have are known as “hot tamales” there and are made with corn meal instead of masa.

Tamales take a lot of preparation to make, so they have become more of a special occasion food. They are common for celebrations on Day of the Dead, and Christmas. Many times, families gather together and make the tamales so it does not take as much time as it would if someone did it alone.

Tamales bring fond memories to people who would eat them all their lives. They are convenient to eat and most of all, tasty! Tamales have a long rich history. If you want to taste an authentic Mexican food, give tamales a try. Once you have, you will understand why many people cannot eat just a few at one sitting.