Today I learned...

[Dreyma]

This is a thread for sharing what you've learned from your reading.

Examples of things to share:
- New words
- Information / facts
- Perspectives you hadn't previously considered

I'll go first: Today, while reading A Separate Peace, I discovered the word "cupola." It refers to those decorative structures that sit on top of buildings.

Simple cupola:

Fancy cupola:

 

[Richard T]

Today I tasted my first banana "heart." Which basically is the flower of the banana that can be cooked and eaten. It was wrapped in a salad dressing that looked like shredded chicken from a catfood can. I tasted this mainly Asian food, and found it to be quite good.

"A banana heart is the fleshy, teardrop-shaped flower that hangs at the end of a banana cluster. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is a traditional food in many parts of Asia and India. The edible parts, which have a meaty texture similar to an artichoke heart, require preparation like peeling the outer layers and soaking in an acidulated water solution to reduce bitterness and browning before use in dishes like salads, curries, and soups"

Here is someone else who blogged about it (with photo) Hearts of Banana

 

[peaceful-forest]

I started a new book today. A memoir written by Brian Johnson, singer of AC/DC.

When the band was touring in 2015, Brian had developed an ear problem that would not go away. He finally saw the doctor. The doctor explained to him that the fever he had during the tour caused fluid build up in his ears. Then the untreated fluid had crystallized! The doctor told him he had to be operated on and that he had to use a chisel to get the crystals out!

 

[Dreyma]

Today I tasted my first banana "heart." Which basically is the flower of the banana that can be cooked and eaten. It was wrapped in a salad dressing that looked like shredded chicken from a catfood can. I tasted this mainly Asian food, and found it to be quite good.

"A banana heart is the fleshy, teardrop-shaped flower that hangs at the end of a banana cluster. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is a traditional food in many parts of Asia and India. The edible parts, which have a meaty texture similar to an artichoke heart, require preparation like peeling the outer layers and soaking in an acidulated water solution to reduce bitterness and browning before use in dishes like salads, curries, and soups"

Here is someone else who blogged about it (with photo) Hearts of Banana

Interesting! I think the most interesting food I've ever eaten was a century egg. My Developmental Psychology professor, a woman from Taiwan, offered century eggs to the whole class, but only a couple of us were willing to try them. I felt very proud of my bravery lol. But in defense of those who opted not to try, the stench was absolutely terrible.

I started a new book today. A memoir written by Brian Johnson, singer of AC/DC.

When the band was touring in 2015, Brian had developed an ear problem that would not go away. He finally saw the doctor. The doctor explained to him that the fever he had during the tour caused fluid build up in his ears. Then the untreated fluid had crystallized! The doctor told him he had to be operated on and that he had to use a chisel to get the crystals out!

My dad loves AC/DC. Back when he coached my travel basketball team, he always played "Thunderstruck" during practices. And oof, that does not sound pleasant. I had no idea that doctors using chisels to break crystallized earwax was a thing. Very bizarre. There are so many things that can go wrong with the human body; it's a miracle that it works as well as it does most of the time.