As we head over to Louisiana on our A-Z tour of the United States, we find that housing prices start to creep up a little bit; we're back above $10,000 on average, but only by a couple of hundred dollars. We're still comfortably below the $7,000 mark for food though, so there isn't too much additional strain on our theoretical traveler's wallet.
There are so many things Louisiana is known for that it's hard to know where to start. If you're a Millennial, you might be inclined to say 'Britney Spears!' That would be disregarding years of rich cultural heritage in the state though; this is the home of Mardi Gras, and of Bayou Country, and of all the jazz and voodoo history in New Orleans. People from all races and all walks of life have melded together in Louisiana; it's a melting pot of creed and culture.
Over the years, weve seen so many food trends come and go, such as ramen burgers, matcha, and spiked ice-cream. Nowadays, were seeing another trend making waves in the food industry. How many times today have you seen an Instagram photo of a scoop of black ice cream, or a cup of black yogurt, or hamburgers with black buns? Indeed, the charcoal trend has taken the world by storm.
So, what gives your latte that deep black shade? Activated charcoal, or coconut ash, is produced by heating coconut shells to insanely high temperatures until theyre burnt to a crisp. The ashes are then increased in size by steaming at high temperatures. Through this process, the ashes become a strong detoxifier, mostly because they become extra absorbent. This product may be purchased in pill form, and promises to alleviate hangovers, minimize the effects of food poisoning, and fight the visible signs of aging.
Activated charcoal is said to boost ones energy as a result of decreasing toxins in the body. However, no evidence proves that detoxifying can lead to increased energy. Also, while it can help cure a hangover, it doesnt necessarily remove alcohol from your blood. It is also said to aid in debloating your stomach because it cleanses your colon but again, this all anecdotal and isnt supported by scientific evidence as of yet. All we can say for sure is that it is a proven detoxifier.