A jug is a cylindrical container that has a handle and is used for holding and pouring liquids.
This polished brass milk jug from Normandy, France was hand-crafted circa 1850. Its outside was lightly textured by a technique called hammering. Its neck attaches to its body and has a scalloped collar. Its mouth has a rolled lip mirrored by a protuberant ridge that runs along its circumference.
Cider
Cider, a type of apple juice, is a traditional beverage in many European countries. It is produced primarily in the French regions of Normandy and Brittany, as well as in other places around the world. It is usually produced from a mixture of apple varieties, but there are also ciders made from other fruits such as pears and cherries.
The process of making cider begins with picking and then crushing the apples to make a pulp called pomace. This is then pressed and fermented using yeast that feeds off the sugar in the pomace and converts it to alcohol. This process can take anywhere from four weeks to six months.
After the fermentation process, the cider is then aged for a period of time to improve its flavour. Some ciders are then filtered to remove any sediment and turbidity, before being carbonated or sparkling.
A good cider should be smooth and have a mellow flavor and should be free of any harshness or sharpness. It should not be too dry, which is why most French ciders are lightly sweet.
There are three basic types of cider: Cidre Doux, which is a sweet cider, with an alcohol content of around 3%; Demi-Sec, which is a slightly less sweet cider with an alcohol level of 3-5% and Cidre Brut, which is a dry cider with an alcohol level of 4.5% and above.
The cider of Normandy has long been a popular beverage in the region and is still a popular choice for many people. It is often used as an aperitif and a drink for breakfast or lunch. In a kir normand, the traditional drink for a Normandy brunch or dinner, it is typically mixed with white wine and cassis (but not calvados).
It is important to note that the amount of sugar in the cider is an important determining factor in how alcoholic it will be, as the higher the sugar level, the more likely it is that yeast will eat it and turn it into alcohol. The acidity of the cider will also play a role in how alcoholic it will be.
Lace
Lace is a type of textile made of delicate, fine threads. It can be produced from different types of fibers, including cotton, silk, and linen. It has been used for centuries to decorate clothing and home decor items, and it remains one of the most popular fabrics in the world.
There are many kinds of lace, from basic net lace, which is typically white or cream, to intricately detailed and beautiful Broderie Anglaise, which is often embellished with floral and botanical designs. Traditionally, lace was made with fine linen, silk, and gold threads but it also can be produced from other fibers such as cotton.
Today, lace is most commonly produced by machines that use the Jacquard weaving technique. This allows for more complex and intricate designs to be created than could ever have been done by hand.
The process of making lace is very complicated and requires the skills of highly trained workers who can ensure that each step is carried out correctly. It can take up to three years of on-the-job training before a worker is able to master all the necessary skills.
Traditional lace is made with linen, silk, and/or gold threads that are woven onto a base fabric such as net. It is then either cut out or embroided in order to make it look more attractive.
There are several different types of lace, but the most popular are bobbin lace and needle lace. Both of these are used to create a variety of clothing items and household linens, and both were developed in the 16th century in Flanders and Venice.
Bobbin lace, in particular, began to be widely used in England in the 1500s. Although some forms of cutwork or drawn thread work were also popular in England, bobbin lace was the most common form of lace at this time.
Unlike needle lace, which was made using a needle and single thread, bobbin lace is made by twisting/looping multiple threads together into patterns. The threads are tied to each other and twisted around a large bobbin.
Historically, lace was made in France and Italy and it is believed that this is where it originated. However, it was made in other countries as well. Spain, Russia, Denmark, Turkey and other European countries also have a history of lace production.
Food
A trip to Normandy isn’t complete without eating some of the delicious dishes that the region has to offer. Whether it’s traditional cider, the creamiest cheese in the world or French oysters – there’s plenty to enjoy here.
The area is also known for its food culture, with a host of traditions that are passed down to future generations. For example, Crepe Normande is a popular dessert, filled with tart apples and cinnamon. It’s traditionally served on La Chandeleur, a holiday where people gather at someone’s house and eat copious amounts of crepes.
Other popular foods in the area include Sole a la Normande, Hareng Saur (smoked herring), Coquilles St Jacques, Dover sole, mussels and oysters. You can try these locally sourced items at any of the many restaurants that serve them in Normandy.
In addition to the foods mentioned above, you can find a variety of other delicacies in the region. For instance, boudin noir is a sausage made from pig and is often found on restaurant menus in Normandy.
There are also a number of local wineries in the area that produce excellent wines. You can also taste Calvados, a local brandy that is made from apples and pears.
Another delicious alcoholic beverage is Pommeau de Normandie, which is made by blending apple juice and Calvados. It comes in a range of flavors, and can be consumed both as a drink or as a dessert.
If you’re looking for a more bitter beer, then you might want to give Kronenbourg a try. It’s a local favorite and you can find it in most of the bars and restaurants in the region.
The region is also well known for its cheeses, including Camembert, Neufchatel and Pont l’Eveque. There are also other specialty cheeses to try, such as Boursin, Brillat Savarin and Brin de Paille.
You can visit a cheese farm in Normandy, or even stop by a cheese shop and buy some of the most delectable dairy products in France. The best place to do this is Isigny, where all the finest dairy products of the region are produced.
Drink
There’s nothing quite like a warm glass of cider, and in Normandy the drink has a special place in the region’s culture. The cider-making process is an important part of local tradition, and a number of places in the region produce cider to this day.
Another distinctly Norman drink is Pommeau, which is an aperitif made with apple brandy and juice from cider apples. It was first produced in Normandy centuries ago, and is still a popular drink today.
The drink is usually served as an after-dinner apéritif, and is often combined with creme de cassis. It can also be used as a base for a Kir, which is an alcoholic cocktail that uses a combination of creme de cassis and Calvados (apple brandy).
As well as the above drinks, there are many other options to try when you’re in Normandy. For example, you can taste boudin noir – a smoked sausage made from pork – or enjoy the delicious brioche bread that originated in the area.
You can also visit one of the many cider-making regions in Normandy. They produce hundreds of different varieties of apples, and the region is renowned for its apple cider.
The cider is made by pressing the apples, and then fermenting them at a low temperature to give it a light colour and bittersweet flavour. There are many types of cider that you can choose from, including sweet, dry and sour.
Normandy is home to a number of apple and pear farms, as well as cider mills. These are small businesses that specialize in the production of cider and other products utilizing apples.
These include cider, pectin jelly, apple juice, and local pastries that feature apples as a main ingredient. The region is also a major exporter of cheese, milk, and butter.
While a large portion of the world’s apple cider comes from France, you’ll find many local cider-makers throughout Normandy. They are some of the most skilled producers in the country, and have won awards at the Medaille d’Or competitions.
The fruity, tangy cider that you’ll find in Normandy is the result of a long, hardworking tradition. Cider is a recognizable part of the region’s heritage, and many people have fond memories of sitting outside with a glass of it at lunch or dinner.