You can go to almost any restaurant in America and find clam chowder as a soup option on a menu. However, no other state in the nation has been able to produce a top-tier chowder like the state of Massachusetts has been able to. While the chowder was originally introduced to the masses in the Northeast province of the United States, the quality of the region's clams have also contributed to the soup's success.
What makes clam chowder so special is the subtleness of the dish. A thick creamy base consisting of fish broth and cream provides the sultry texture of the soup while fresh diced clams, salt pork, and potatoes make up the heavier aspects of the dish. Salt, pepper, onions, and some garnish or parsley add some savory color to the New England classic. Other states have their own versions of clam chowder utilizing tomato broth as a base but nothing beats the creamy, white rendition served with a side of oyster crackers.
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.