"sri lanka" news and stories

I call cinnamon "America's favorite spice." Not only can you find it in millions of recipes and products, but I have never met anyone who doesn't like it.

Many people know that cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree, but there are actually two types of cinnamon in this country. The one originating in Ceylon (that's Sri Lanka now) is known as "true" cinnamon and is still used and cultivated in Mexico.

Ceylon cinnamon has a mellow, earthy aroma and sweeter taste than the other variety, which comes from Indonesia and is called "cassia." Ceylon cinnamon happens to be softer in texture -- making it easier to grind. It can even be crumbled between your fingertips.

How much would you be willing to pay for dessert? Five dollars? Ten dollars? How about $14,500? The Fortress Sri Lanka, a luxury resort in Galle has created the The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence, a dessert that costs nearly as much as my parents' first house.

Of course, the edible ingredients are not the reason this dish is so spendy. The dessert consists of a yummy sounding concoction of gold leaf Italian cassata, mango and pomegranate compote and sabayon, with a handmade chocolate fisherman. The reason it is so expensive is that it has an 80-carat aquamarine stone resting on the chocolate fisherman. According to the hotel, no one has ordered this menu item yet, but I'm sure that there's someone out there who will be, just to say that they ate the most expensive dessert in the world.

Most people are already aware that you should not give your dog chocolates - but what about your elephant? Elephants are largely vegetarian and apparently like chocolate quite a lot. That doesn't mean you should let them indulge, though. Raja, who at 45 is the most famous elephant in Sri Lanka, has become very ill after eating too much chocolate and other fattening foods. The chocolates, deep-fried cookies, sweet rice and fermented pineapple slices were fed to him by fans while celebrating the Buddhist New Year.

The monks who care for the elephant found him in great distress, writhing on the ground, the day after the celebration. A vet said that his digestive system could not cope with the fattened and processed foods or "the cookies... literally are soaked in oil." There is now a sign outside his enclosure which reads "Do not feed the elephant."

[Image Yahoo!]

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