Odd one out ?

Research has show that over half the children in Britain who take their own lunches to school do not eat properly in the middle on the day. In Britain, schools have to provide meals at lunchtime. Children can chose to bring their own food or have lunch at the school canteen.

One shocking finding of this research is that school meals are many healthier than lunches prepared by parents. There are strict standards for the preparation of school meals, which have to include one piece of fruit and one of vegetables, as well like meat, a dairy item and starchy food like bread or pasta. Lunchboxes examined by researchers contained sweet drinks, crisps and chocolate bar. Children consume twice as much sugar as they should at lunchtime.

The research will provides a better understanding of why the percentage of overweight students in Britain have increased in the last decade. Unfortunately, the government cannot criticize parents, but it can remind them of the nutritional value of milk, fruit and vegetables. Small changes in their children’s diet can affect their future healthy. Children can easy develop bad eating habits at this age, and parents are the only ones who can prevent it.

Once being a basic food of farmers and poor families in Vietnam, com tam or broken rice is now a favourite dish of most Vietnamese. It is said that the best broken rice can be found in Saigon. When you come to Saigon, you should try this dish at least one time and you will not regret it.

Com tam literally means broken rice. Broken rice originally consisted of grains which were broken during the harvesting and cleaning of rice. In the past, as most people preferred to eat the long, whole grain rice, broken rice grains were difficult to sell and usually eaten by the Vietnamese working class because of the cheap price. Nowadays, often favored over long grain rice for its unique flavour and texture, broken rice is one of the best-loved fares in Vietnam.

Local broken rice eateries can practically be found on every street in Saigon. A broken rice dish is served with many beautiful colours from grilled pork chop with multi-flavour to steamed egg, shredded pork skin, pickles, vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers ... and especially sweet fish sauce that is the spirit of the dish.

1. Today, com tamis only eaten by poor Vietnamese.

2. Com tamis made from broken rice grains.

3. In the past, most people didn’t eat broken rice grains because they were cheap.

4. It is difficult to find a place to eat com tam in Saigon.

5. The most important part of com tamis sweet fish sauce.

6. Com tamis now a favourite dish of Vietnamese people, especially Saigonese.

Egg coffee, called Cà Phê Trứng in Vietnamese, was first invented by Nguyen Giang in 1946. There was a shortage of milk in Hanoi due to the French War. Mr. Nguyen reatively began adding whisked eggs to his coffee instead.

The original version was a bit, well, eggy. But over time the recipe was modified with the addition of sugar, condensed milk, and even Laughing Cow cheese. No one knows the recipe for sure since it’s a secret recipe. These days Egg Coffee is a staple of Hanoi coffee culture and a must-try while in Hanoi!

What does it taste like? Well it’s incredibly thick and rich and creamy. Closer to a dessert than a beverage. Liquid tiramisu is the most accurate description we’ve heard.

Nguyen Giang still has a café where you can try his famous recipe, or you can grab a cup of Egg Coffee at dozens of coffee shops all over Hanoi.

1. Who invented egg coffee?

2. Why did Nguyen Giang add whisked eggs to his coffee?

3. What is the recipe to make egg coffee nowadays?

4. What does egg coffee taste like?

5. Where can we buy this type of coffee?