Ah, the internet. On one hand it’s great for finding new, delicious treats to checkout in your area. But on the other hand, it endlessly teases other delicious treats people are enjoying around the world.
In today’s world of unicorn frappucinos, rainbow bagels, and cronuts, there is no shortage of food inspiration on the internet. Below are just a few currently trending treats that we wouldn’t mind Pittsburgh giving a little more attention.
Cheese Tea
Nope, not a typo. Cheese Tea is exactly what it sounds like – brewed tea with cheese on top. Before you start picturing cheddar or camembert, the cheese is similar to cream cheese or mascarpone, with a consistency not unlike pudding.
Cheese Tea originated in Taiwan and is now sweeping the United States. While some are hesitant to try it, most drinkers comment that the flavor combines the sweetness of cheese with the earthiness of the tea. There are currently Cheese Tea shops in Los Angeles and New York City.
If it seems too bizarre to catch on, remember this is the same country that when bananas over zombie frappuccinos.
Gourmet Ginger Beer
Moscow Mules may seem like an old hat at this point, but the popularization of ginger beer has just gotten started. Why limit the flavors to just ginger? In Seattle, Washington, “Rachel’s Ginger Beer” has an entire menu of different flavors of ginger beer. Some of the most popular include Pink Guava, White Peach, Blueberry, Cucumber & Tarragon, and Caramelized Pineapple.
Guests can buy stop in to buy a ginger beer growler, or create their own drink from Rachel’s “Make Your Own Mule” bar. Options include a dozen types of ginger beer, as well as half a dozen liquors.
Japanese Cheesecake
Despite “Cheesecake” being in the name, Japanese cheesecake is jiggly, airy, and couldn’t be more different than the popular American dessert.
The most famous Japanese Cheesecake is from the “Uncle Tetsu” chain, which started in Japan in 1980s, and now has locations across the globe. These cakes are so popular that buyers are limited to one per person.
The website states that Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecakes “combines the richness of American cheesecakes with the lightness of French soufflés.”
Each cake is served warm from the oven and stamped with the Uncle Tetsu logo. If you ever see one of their locations in Japan, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Hawaii, or California, don’t let this treat pass you by!
Fairy Floss
Yes – gourmet cotton candy (aka “fairy floss”) is 100% about taking a cool Instagram. However, that doesn’t stop us from wanting to give it a try.
Companies like Fluffë, based in Sydney, Australia, are taking carnival cotton candy to a whole new level. The brand not transform cotton candy into a sparkling, rainbow pillow, but enhances the flavors as well. This holiday season, Fluffë is selling cotton candy boxes with Gingerbread, Snowball, and Peppermint flavors.
Whether we put it top of a cocktail, sandwiched in a macaron, or decorating hot chocolate, it’s a good thing Fluffë ships internationally.
Khachapuri
Many food publications named Khachapuri one of the “foods of the year” in 2017. Pronounced “hatch-ah-POO-ree” Khachapuri is the national dish of Georgia, and is a staple within the cuisine.
It is no surprise that the joys of this decadent boat of cheese-filled bread spread throughout the region, as well as the world. There are many varieties of “Georgian Pizza,” but Adjaruli Khachapuri, which is topped with both an egg and a pat of butter, hypnotized diners this past year.
It is possible to get your hands on Khachapuri in Pittsburgh. Penn Brewery at the base of Troy Hill serves up the cheesy dishy. And since we are desperate to try as much as we can, please let us know of any other spots to find it in the comments below.
Cloud Eggs
Do cloud eggs taste dramatically different than other eggs? Not really. But are they dreamy, beautiful way to start your day? Absolutely. Cloud eggs are exactly what they sound like – eggs that look puffy, cumulus clouds.
The secret to making these eggs is the whipping the whites into a meringue before cooking. Once the whites are fluffy, dollop them onto a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for a few minutes. Deposit the yolks back in the center, and then bake for a few more minutes. Voila! Breakfast and your next Instagram post all in one!
Gourmet Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. Gourmet oatmeal bars, using oatmeal as the base for savory and sweet masterpieces, have been popping up across the country in the past few years.
Spots like “Oatmeals” in New York City serve up dishes like “Pomegranate Pistachio,” with dried pomegranate seeds, pistachios, honey, almond milk, as well as the “Cacio e Pepe,”with shaved parmesan, extra virgin olive oil, bacon, sea salt & cracked black pepper, and the “Croque Monsieur,” with diced ham, shaved gruyere cheese, nutmeg, sea salt & cracked black pepper, steamed milk.
Gourmet oatmeal could be the new best part of waking up.
Sparkling Cold Brew Coffee
Why not? Considering the current obsession with La Croix, combining carbonation with caffeine is the logical next step.
Popular companies like Stumptown Coffee Roasters (based in Portland, OR) sell their carbonated cold brew by the can. They even feature flavors like Ginger Citrus and Honey Lemon. More and more coffee bars across the country are starting to supply carbonated coffee by the tap, which is something we wouldn’t mind sipping on in Pittsburgh.
Pawpaw
Considering Pittsburgh’s longstanding history with this forgotten fruit, it totally makes sense for the city to have a pawpaw renaissance.
The pawpaw is a tree fruit native to the Pittsburgh area. The texture is rich and creamy, and many compare it to bananas and mangos. For those who taste it, it can be surprising that a fruit seemingly tropical grows wildly in a northern climate.
People have been enjoying pawpaws in southwestern Pennsylvania for hundreds of years, but they have mostly been forgotten in the past few decades. However, that is changing. This year, Pittsburgh hosted its first ever pawpaw festival, and spots like B52 Cafe featured pawpaw kombucha. We would love to see more pawpaw in 2018!
What other food trends would you like to see come to Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments!
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