Innholdsfortegnelse for 6/2019 i ASIAN Geographic

“‘Your Ma does not always say what she’s thinking or feeling,’ Daddy said. ‘But when she cooks, she puts her whole mind and heart into the food and you’re bound to learn something about her’. So I searched for Ma in her spices and sauces, her mixed vegetables and her sweet desserts.”— Sugarbread, Balli Kaur Jaswal My childhood memories are of my vegetarian mother standing over the stove in the sweltering heat – mixing, mixing, mixing – concocting a delicious meat-based dish for her picky-eater children, and in a separate pot, something for her husband and herself. She would then serve us first, me by her own hand, before she ate herself. When I grew up, I ate her dishes less and less, favouring instant meals and fast food instead.…

1940 BC Xia Dynasty, China In 2005, an overturned bowl of noodles, made of two kinds of millet grain, were found buried under three metres of sediment in northwestern China at the Lajia archaeological site. Millet is a grain indigenous to China and was first cultivated as much as 7,000 years ago. Some of the earliest evidence of millet cultivation in China has been found in Cishan, northern China, where proso millet husk phytoliths and biomolecular components identified to be around 8,700 to 10,300 years old were discovered in storage pits, along with the remains of pit-houses, pottery, and stone tools related to millet cultivation. The unearthing of these noodles also proves that the conversion of ground millet flour into dough that could be repeatedly stretched into long, thin strands…

BEIRUT, LEBANON Iris Beirut This city retreat boasts panoramic views over the ocean, alongside the Beirut skyline. They offer innovative cocktails and a selection of Asian- and American-inspired dishes. It is highly recommended to watch the sunset from Iris, and then stay and catch one of the live artists or DJs that play most nights of the week. LEVEL 2 ADDRESS Beirut New Waterfront, Seaside Pavilion, Rooftop, Beirut, Lebanon OPENING HOURS 6PM-3AM Mondays to Saturdays, 5PM–3AM Sundays ABU DHABI, UAE Beach House Rooftop Enjoy refreshing cocktails and lounge-style music from the Beach House Rooftop with breathtaking views over the Arabian Sea. Watch the stunning Saadiyat Island sunset while sipping a signature cocktail, and feel on top of the world. LEVEL 2 ADDRESS Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat…

Citizen’s PROMASTER line celebrates 30 years of adventure through tough terrain, ascending through crisp mountain air, and diving in the deep blue. To celebrate, Citizen has launched “Save The BEYOND” as a global campaign in collaboration with the History Channel to raise awareness about the vanishing natural environment and the professionals fighting to save it. The Limited Edition PROMASTER is here for your escapades, too – through Asia’s expansive geography and beyond. With only 6,000 pieces available worldwide, the Marine model (BN2037-11E) diving watch features a sleek, classic design that is water-resistant up to 200 metres. The Marine has a long battery life and is intricately designed with a stainless steel case and crystal glass for maximal performance. Furthermore, the 30th-anniversary logo and serial number are stamped on the back…

8000–5000 BC Rice was first domesticated in the Yangtze River basin in China, and by 6000 BC Chinese farmers were already using rice paddies – a system of growing rice in man-made ponds, which saves water and kills weeds. 5000 BC The early domestication of rice in ancient India was based around the wild grain species Oryza nivara. This led to the local development that mixed wet- and dry-land production of the localOryza sativa variation, indica, before the pure wet-land rice Oryza sativa variation, japonica, arrived in India. TODAY Rice is the most important human food crop in the world, directly feeding more people than any other crop. In 2012, nearly half of the world’s population – more than 3 billion people – relied on rice every day. It is…

Asian cuisine is as varied as the continent is vast. From North Asia to South Asia to Southeast Asia, East Asia to Central Asia to West Asia, every cuisine is embedded with tradition, cultural practices, and the notion of home – whether through the ingredients, cooking methods, or preferences in flavours and spice levels. Come with us to the unique places to dine in Asia, from roadside stalls to cafes, hawker centres to fine-dining restaurants. While the places may differ in price range and dining experience, one thing is for sure: Each serves up a storm more delicious than the last.…

SINGAPORE Cable Car Sky Dining Cable Car Sky Dining offers three different cabin choices, all offering privacy and each one more unique than the last. Its Stardust Cabin offers a delectable four-course meal as you take in the lights and splendour of Singapore’s cityscape set against the romantic night sky. This is the perfect way to pop the question, celebrate special occasions, or simply show someone how much you love them. The Singapore Flavours Cabin is infused with the authentic flavours of seven of Singapore’s favourite dishes along with the magnificent panoramic view. Meanwhile, the Champagne Cabin gets you “high” on life with a glass of bubbly and intoxicating vistas at 100 metres up in the air. ADDRESS Faber Peak Singapore, Level 2, 109 Mount Faber Road, Singapore GETTING THERE…

WWF Launches Plastic Smart Cities Initiative in Southeast Asia with a USD40M Commitment Text Shreya Acharya WWF launched the Plastic Smart Cities initiative at the Responsible Business Forum in Singapore. The initiative brings cities and tourist destinations together to commit to fight plastic pollution by developing an action plan, establishing circular economy projects and testing innovative solutions. ln the last 12 months, WWF has successfully fundraised USD40M for the initiative. https://bit.ly/2DXAllR Celebrating Earth with the Adulyadej H.M. , King King of Thailand Text Shreya Acharya An international day to celebrate soil was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002. Under the leadership of the King of Thailand and within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN supported the…

The Farmer Digging the field under the scorching sun, Sweat dripping into the soil. Who knows the meal in your plate, Every single rice comes from the hard work of those farmers. Half of the world’s population is wholly dependent on rice as a staple food – and this includes almost all of East and Southeast Asia. Rice is the seed from either of two grass species: Oryza sativa of Asia, and Oryza glaberrima of Africa, both of which were independently domesticated. The African species is speculated to have been cultivated between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago, and the Asian species from 9,000 to 10,000 years ago. As such, the earliest archaeological evidence of rice cultivation comes from central and eastern China and dates to 8000–5000 BC. Asian farmers account…

SOUTHEAST ASIA MYANMAR Htamin Jin This fermented rice dish is the regional specialty of the Intha people of Inle Lake in Shan state. The rice is kneaded with boiled fish, fresh tomato paste, mashed boiled potatoes, and finished off with a garlic garnish. Highland Shan rice, a starchy grain, is used alongside Shan potatoes, giving the dish a very rich texture. THAILAND Khaoniao Mamuang Better known as mango sticky rice, this traditional Thai dessert is made with glutinous rice, brown sugar, and fresh mango. It is then drenched in coconut milk, giving it a sweet, creamy, and luscious texture as well as delicious flavour. MALAYSIA Nasi Lemak Nasi lemak is a prominent Malay dish in which rice is cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, and often served with anchovies,…

SOUTHEAST ASIA Here are some of the ways beverages are enjoyed in different Asian regions. MYANMAR Lahpet A popular Burmese expression goes, “Of all the fruit, the mango’s the best; of all the meat, the pork’s the best; and of all the leaves, lahpet’s the best.” Lahpet, or fermented or pickled tea, is Myanmar’s unique heritage. Tea is therefore not only a popular drink in this region, but also a delicacy. THAILAND Cha Yen Thai milk tea is a renowned beverage in Southeast Asia. Condensed milk and sugar are mixed with Ceylon tea, and the concoction is poured over ice and then topped with evaporated milk, giving it an incredibly sweet and rich flavour. MALAYSIA Teh Tarik Teh tarik, or “pulled” tea, is a hot, milky tea made by mixing…

SOUTHEAST ASIA CAMBODIA Sankhya Lapov This tasty treat consists of a small pumpkin filled with creamy custard containing coconut milk or cream, palm sugar paste, eggs, and salt, which is then steamed. It is usually prepared with kabocha squash, which is dark green on the outside and has a bright orange interior with a sweet flavour. VIETNAM Banh Chuoi Usually made with plantain, this steamed banana cake is a popular Vietnamese dessert. The cake is commonly served with a creamy coconut sauce and the cooked plantain often appears purplish-red in colour. Banh chuoi comes in two versions: Banh chuoi nuong, which is baked, and Banh chuoi hap, which is steamed with the addition of rice starch. MYANMAR Mont Lone Yay Paw The name of this dish translates to “food floating…

Dine at some of Asia’s finest restaurants, some of which have received a prestigious Michelin star rating. These establishments promise the very best of their respective cuisines, with a comfortable and luxurious setting to boot. SINGAPORE Odette Awarded no fewer than three Michelin stars, Odette serves modern French cuisine that is guided by Chef Julien Royer’s lifelong respect for seasonality, terroir, and artisanal produce. The staff promises to make Odette an honest and welcoming experience for everyone, where every ingredient has its place and purpose, and is treated with the utmost care to highlight its purest flavours. Other notable features of the restaurant are its soft colour palette and decor, as well as its glass-enclosed kitchen, where diners have the opportunity to witness the chefs at work, reflecting the openness…