My brain is wired in such a way that I find that I can summon back places that I’ve been by preparing the same beverage, or food, that I enjoyed there.

This morning, a dark rainy one in Montreal, I’m bringing back the cottage with chocolate mint Rooibas tea wi’ a spot of milk in it, like I enjoyed with my nieces on the first day at the cottage.

Other concoctions popular with me to summon up somewhere else:

A cup of Milo brings back Jamaica, whether my in-laws house in Mandeville or the tea kettle in our simple suite at El Greco in Montego Bay.

Capsule coffee might summon up Rome on New Year’s morning or Kirchleerau and the summer I explored Swiss roots for three days. But I have to choose to go there – there’s not magic enough in a Keurig capsule to get me far.

Marmalade on a bread roll can take me to Innsbruck at 16 years old.

And many foods, many places…which is probably why my blog is titled “Ted’s Ideas on Food and more”. Because there is always more with food than meets the palate.