Cider Press With the rise of local cideries on PEI, we thought we would revisit the traditional roots of a certain sweet beverage in the region. The French are considered the first to bring hard apple cider to the East Coast in the early 17th century. Cider was a staple in early settlements and was often used while trading for…
Rotary Knife Cleaner Back in the day, before the invention of stainless steel knives and mechanical dishwashers, knives had to be cleaned and polished on a daily basis to prevent rust or dullness from forming. This tool is known as a rotary knife cleaner. It was patented in 1844 and used until 1912 when stainless steel came about. Knives would…
January 1, 2020
PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation Cod Liver Oil For those who grew up starting their day with a spoonful of pungent cod liver oil, this month’s artifact will surely bring back memories (perhaps more unpleasant than not). The nutrient-rich oil is extracted from the livers of Atlantic cod. Medicinal value of the oil was backed up by scientific proof once…
November 1, 2019
PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation Cake Breaker Although it looks somewhat like a large hair comb, this artifact is actually meant for serving dessert. In the mid-1900s, cake breakers were ideal for light and delicate desserts, like popular chiffon and angel food cakes. Instead of squishing the slice like a regular knife or cake cutter might do, the comb doesn’t…
October 1, 2019
PEI Museum & Heritage Foundation – Davis and Fraser Davis and Fraser Pork Packers and Provision Merchants was a meat packing and processing plant in Charlottetown. It was first located on Kent Street, but later moved to Grafton Street. The original plant was in operation as early as 1895, although the business was only incorporated in 1905. It all began…
October 1, 2018
War Cake Flip through many Islanders’ cookbooks and recipe boxes, you will find a recipe for a war cake. A take on a traditional raisin spice cake, the recipe most likely passed down from generation to generation. The origins of what many know as a war cake are varied. It is believed to originated during the First World War. During…
February 1, 2017
From wartime rationing to healthy eating; our country’s official food rules strive to stay relevant. Whether it’s a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, a health scare, or simply a desire to improve one’s eating habits, many people turn to Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating (the food guide) for guidance on what and how much to eat. Although many…
A dig through the food archives reveals what people were eating a century ago. Bright speeches made after justice had been done to the menu — The Morning Guardian, April 19, 1901 Apparently the best party ever to take place on Prince Edward Island was a dinner for two hockey teams held the evening of April 18, 1901. I make…