World Food News – French and Mexican Cuisine added to UNESCO List, Grilled Egpytian Pigeon, Japan’s Artisinal “Mold Makers”

[Global Food News is a weekly selection of world food news deemed important, absurd, strange, or otherwise hilarious at Food Trotter!]

Did Spaghetti Come from China? Italian chefs disagree that spaghetti came from China via Marco Polo, though remark that Italian and Chinese cuisines share similarities. I’m leaning towards the Chinese, though I may be biased! [WSJ]

French/Mexican cuisine added to UNESCO List – Love French or Mexican cuisine? Good news for you, they’ve made it into UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List, treasures in need of urgent safeguarding. Curiously, snobby France is getting most of the coverage while Mexico’s traditional Mexican cuisine is being ignored by the media. [UNESCO 2010 Intangible Heritage List]

Not Your Average Pigeon: In Search of an Egyptian Specialty – Cairo-style grilled stuffed pigeon, an Egyptian specialty from the history books! It sounds so delicious; can we consider this as an urban agriculture solution instead of chicken coops?! [Atlantic]

The Soul of Miso - Japan’s artisanal “mold makers” grow koji (mold) for a living to aid in the production of Japanese miso, sake, and soy sauce – three staple ingredients in Japanese cuisine. So there’s still use for my mold infested rice pot! [LA Times]

In Chengdu, China, Remaking Sichuan Food – Sichuan food is being reinvented by Sichuanese in Chengdu, changing the food scene with new ingredients and forgotten recipes (I had Sichuan style rabbit). If you happen to be in Chengdu, great restaurants to try are listed too. [NYT]

Southeast Asia’s Coffee Culture – Southeast Asia’s coffee culture is unbelievably different from what we have here, with customers enjoying a cup of kopi O and a slice of kaya toast at a local kopitiam (Fukienese for coffee shop). Our on-the-go culture will never allow us to enjoy this. [Atlantic]

Shanghai surprise is you’ll want to stay – Shanghai is becoming a better place to stay each day, the new New York of the East with night clubs and international cuisines. Why didn’t I stay? [the Star]

Making cocktails at the Paris Ritz – High-end cocktail making at one of Paris’ most exclusive addresses, the Ritz. The bartender’s success, knowledge about cocktails, book author, and influential friends provides an interesting story! [FT]

Milk Caramel Is A Sweet Treat In Brazil – Brazil’s milk caramel is said to be the best, here’s an interesting podcast to listen to. [NPR]

Related posts:

• Weekly Food News – Divorce Cakes, Psychedelic Nutmeg, 2,400-year-old Soup, Places to Learn to Cook Local Cuisine, and More!
• World Food News – Bear Meat, Volcanic Wines, Street Food Around The World, Gifts for Foodies, and More!
• Global Food News July 16 – 22: Would You Drink 200-year-old Champagne Found at the Bottom of the Sea, Cat-poo Coffee Deemed Safe, Eat more Fast Food!