White gold of the Atlantic: the history of Portuguese salt
Salt was once a precious commodity. Today, it has become so common that we reach for it without hesitation. Itâs sprinkled on our eggs in the morning, tucked into caldo-verde
Why we knock on wood
For thousands of years, people have followed rituals to ward off misfortune or summon good luck. Many of these customs involve wood – a material long associated with life, power,
Why is February only 28 days long?
Of all the months in the year, February stands apart – not only for its short length but for the fascinating history that shaped it. While every other month boasts
How Julius Caesar shaped the new year
“Veni, Vidi, Vici.â Â “I came, I saw, I conquered.â These famous words, spoken by Julius Caesar, embody the spirit of bold and decisive action. As we step into the new
The origins of the Christmas Elf
The origins of the elf can be traced back to Norse mythology and Germanic folklore. In these early tales, elves – or ĂĄlfar – were otherworldly beings, closely tied to
The ancient origins of cider
The story of cider begins with the apple, a fruit whose origins stretch back to the wild forests of Central Asia, particularly the Tien Shan mountains in what is now
Demeter, Persephone and autumn
Autumn descends upon Portugal like an old friend, bringing with it cooler, slower days. The oppressive heat recedes, and the countryside grows still. Vineyards, once full of grapes, now lie
Why stretching has become a part of my daily routine
I’ve been deeply involved in sports and regular gym workouts for most of my life, yet one crucial aspect of fitness that I consistently overlooked was stretching. Like many athletes,
Port wine: A historic journey from the Douro Valley to the world
As someone born in England and having recently spent considerable time in both Porto and France, I find it only fitting to write this month about the rich history of
History of beer in Portugal: Imperial vs Fino
For around 2.5 million years, humans sustained themselves by gathering plants and hunting animals that lived and bred in the wild. However, all that changed around 10,000 years ago when