The U. S. Virgin Islands: America's Caribbean Paradise..."So Nice, So Nice"

Ever since I was a teen and I took my first trip to the Caribbean, I have been enamored and fascinated by the tropical island lifestyle. From the palm trees, to 'da occent mon,' something about the calypso sounds of the steel pan, the warm trade winds, the white sand beaches and the friendly people of the islands has always given me a feeling of peace and well being. I love the lifestyle, the food, the serenity of it all. I have been  enraptured by all things tropical now for well over.....ahh, ok, there's no real need to get technical. You get the picture! Take 10 days on any tropical island in the Caribbean and by the middle of your first week of white sands, crystalline waters, a few Island Rum drinks and you can't help but to achieve what Michael, a friend of mine who is a native Bahamian calls, the "pace of the Caribbean." He states, "Here in paradise mon, everyteen ees stopped, but steeel moovin."

It's no wonder that so many people across the globe think of nowhere else to go with their vacations than to the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean. What some Americans tend to overlook, is the fact that we have a part of paradise that we call our own, The U.S. Virgin Islands. No passport needed here, just your driver's license and some sun block. That is, of course if, you are an American citizen. More and more, vacationers are discovering these jewels of the Caribbean. So without further ado let's explore...

St. Thomas

 

Charlotte Amalie

In 1671, Danish settlers created a permanent colony on St. Thomas, the capital of the US. Virgin Islands and most cosmopolitan of the three islands, which boasts a colorful history of swashbuckling pirates. They named the colony after their queen, Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel, built Fort Christian and established plantations. Charlotte Amalie, which showcases some of the best displays of colonial architecture anywhere in the Caribbean, was actually Denmark's second largest city in the 1840s.

Along the waterfront, centuries old warehouses that once contained molasses, rum and spices are now filled with hundreds of duty free shops. Great sights abound also, with a view of Hassel Island, located in the middle of one of the Caribbeans largest and busiest deep water ports. 125 of this little island's 135 acres is now owned by the Virgin Islands National Park.

Havensight

Havensight is an area two miles east of Charlotte Amalie. It is the location of one of the island's cruise ship terminals, as well as many shops, and the Havensight mall. St. Thomas is one of the most cruise-ship visited islands in the Caribbean and has some of the best duty free shopping in this part of the world. About 1.5 million cruise ship passengers land here each year.

Fort Christian

The fort was constructed in the 1600s by the Danish government who occupied the small Caribbean island. As the oldest standing structure in the U.S. Virgin Islands, this fort has served as a town center, a government building, and a jail. It currently holds the St. Thomas Museum, which includes artifacts and art of the Danish period.

The 99 Steps

There are actually 103. Starting on Government Hill and ending right above Haagenhouse, this is a very popular attraction and when you reach the top, you'll find Blackbeard's Castle. Bricks to build the steps were brought from Denmark as ballast in the hold of many sailing ships.

Coki Beach

One of the most popular beaches the island has to offer is Coki Beach, famed for its crystal clear waters and home to Coral World. Here you can rent snorkels and explore the crags and caves of corals reefs located just off the beach and see all kinds of tropical reef fish. If you visit, this beach, be sure to check out some of the marvelous driftwood carvings and custom hand crafted sandals with Peter Eloi. Tell him Lou sent you.

Magen's Bay

St. Thomas is also home to one of the top ten beaches in the world, at # 5 last we checked, Magen's Bay. Shaped like a heart and located on the North Atlantic side of the island, Magen's Bay is a well-protected white sand beach stretching for nearly a mile. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island. Entrance fee to the beach is four dollars per person. Legend has it, Sir Francis Drake used the bay as an anchorage while waiting for ships to plunder.

Paradise Point

One of the very cool things to do, is take the Sky Ride up 700 feet to the crest of Flag Hill, to a spot called Paradise Point, where views at sunset from the observation deck are spectacular. There is also a 1/4 mile hiking trail for the more adventurous, which will take you approximately 100 feet higher than the observation deck. You'll be greeted along the way by wild parrots, mongoose, iguanas and geckos. There is a bar and grill at the top for casual lunches or a tropical drink or two as you check out the stunning views of the harbor.

Dining

Carribean Patties

Caribbean patties

Johnnycake

Excellent restaurants abound all throughout the island with cuisines ranging from Caribbean and Dutch to classical French, but for me, the real taste of the islands is located around the many little shops of Market Square. It is here that you can get fresh made Caribbean patties (like an empanada or pastiche), containing either saltfish (cod), chicken and beef, or wonderfully warm Johnnycakes and superb Guava-berry Tarts, that are sold sometimes from the trunks of cars or from the many food trucks in and around the market. My favorite for breakfast was a nice saltfish pattie with a hot steaming cup of coffee followed by a buttery Johnnycake! Now 'dats island eatin', mon!

St. John

In 1956 Lawrence Rockefeller, through the non-profit organization Jackson Hole Inc., donated 5000 acres of land on St. John to the National Park Service. On August 2nd of the same year, the United States Congress passed legislation to establish the Virgin Islands National Park. The legislation stipulated that the Park's holdings on St. John could not exceed 9,485 acres. St. John contains a total of 12,500 acres. In 1962 the boundaries of the Virgin Islands National Park were expanded to include 5,650 offshore areas consisting of submerged lands and waters and containing a significant amount of coral reefs, shorelines and marine life. In 1978 the Park again expanded to include Hassel Island, a small island located in St. Thomas' Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The park service today continues to protect the natural and historic treasures of Hassel Island and St. John.

Cruz Bay

A short ferry ride from St. Thomas is it's little sister island, St John. Just 20 square miles , it is home of the Virgin Islands State Park and surrounded by some of the best and most abundant undersea wildlife in the Caribbean, this is the place to experience secluded coves, beaches, sun and sand that is the quintessential picture of a deserted tropical island.

By no means deserted, when you first arrive at Cruz Bay, just a short walk from the dock you are greeted by the visitor's center, boutiques, restaurants and taxis to take you to oneof the many beaches and destinations around the island. Stop by the Marketplace, an all inclusive Caribbean-style palazzo or Mongoose Junction, for excellent shopping and dining. The real attraction here, though, is the State Park and the beaches.

Trunk Bay

Voted the second most beautiful beach in the world, this little spot of paradise is home to a famed underwater snorkel trail. It is everything you could hope for in a tropical beach, with pristine sugar white sand and crystal clear waters. Never packed with tourists, it is very easy to find a secluded patch of beach behind on of the many trees that overhang the shoreline and relax while enjoying the warm waters.

Hawksnest Bay

This beautiful bay is the site of scenes shot for one of my favorite movies starring Alan Alda, The Four Seasons.

Virgin Islands State Park

Three fifths of St. John is the national park. This vast natural area is home to over 1000 varieties of plants, including bay rum trees, mahogany forests. Fruit trees such as mango, papaya, genip and plantain and at least 20 different types of orchids. There are many different trails and most information can be accessed at the Visitor's Center in Cruz Bay. If you rent a jeep to explore the island, don't be surprised if goats and donkeys and other wildlife from the forest greet your jeep. Some of the most spectacular water views you will ever encounter await you around every turn.

Annaberg Plantation Ruins

Built from 1797 to 1803 The Annaberg Sugar Plantation is a well preserved example of colonial industry. It produced Sugar, Molasses and Rum. Staff offers presentations a few times a week, or explore on your own. Nightlife is scarce, if any at all, as this islands main attraction is a relaxing day soaking up the sun and sand of one of the 'Jewels of the Caribbean"

St. Croix

Known for its plethora of historic treasures, this is the largest of the Virgin Islands at twenty-eight miles long and seven miles across. Christopher Columbus landed here on the Salt River on his 2nd voyage in 1493, naming the island Santa Cruz. After buying the island from the French in 1733, the Dutch planned more than 300 sugar plantations for the island, which resulted in great fortunes for those plantation owners who converted the cane into rum, sugar and molasses. America's first trade secretary, Alexander Hamilton, grew up here learning about foreign currency as an orphan working for a Christiansted merchant. Point Udall here is the easternmost point of the United States.

Christiansted

This unique Caribbean town looks almost exactly as it did in the 18th century with graceful arcades. Yellow brick is used in most of the buildings having come from Denmark as ballast in sugar and rum sailing ships. Shops and restaurants lead to a boardwalk on the north.

Fort Christiansvaern

Completed by the Dutch in 1749 for protection from pirates, you can tour this historic site.

The Steeple Building

 
This landmark was built in 1743 and was St Croix's first Lutheran Church. Two Sunday services were held each week. One in Danish and the second in Dutch-Creole for non whites.

The Government House

The Royal Danish government purchases and joined together two private homes in 1771 to create the administrative base for the Danish West Indies and is the St. Croix residence of the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Frederiksted

Located on the west side of the island, this town also serves as St. Croix's Seaport. Established in 1751 and named after King Frederik V.

Fort Frederick

Finished in 1760, this was the western defense of the island.

Cruzan Rum

Rum has been made here for over 300 years and is made nearby at the Cruzan Distillery. Tours are offered Monday thru Friday. Yes, yes all you rum lovers, a sample is included in the tour!

I hope you have enjoyed this little trip to the Islands. 

Bon Appetit,

Lou

Sources; www.visitusvi.com,  www.virgin-islands-on-line.com, www.worldatlas.com, en.wikipedia.org, www.stjohnusvi.com, www.stcroixtourism.com

Like Sake? Then You'll Love It's Older Cousin Shōchū

Shōchū   In the land of the rising sun, night-lifers and dining patrons can quickly recognize the differences between shōchū and sake (sa-kay). In addition to recently established shōchū bars, a number of shōchū specialty stores have popped up throughout Japan. Some stores offer as many as 3,200 different varieties of shōchū from all over the country. I noticed in quite a bit of the research I did for this article, that the relationship between the two factions, those for shōchū, those for sake, seemed almost adversarial. An either or kind of thing. I have always enjoyed and been intrigued by sake, but admittedly, shōchū had not been on my radar until recently and it was a mystery. I figure the fun will be in the research, tasting all the variations. As I am a sake 'enthusiast,' I freely admit there are perks to this job.

Let's start with the Differences

The first and most obvious difference is in the manufacturing process. Sake is brewed, while shōchū is distilled. Shōchū is made with a variety of raw materials, some more abstract than others, including: Japanese basil (shiso), corn, chestnuts (kuri), milk (gyunyu), pumpkin (kabocha), green pepper (pimon), and carrots (ninjin) just to name a few.

• Shōchū uses black (kuro), white (shiro), and yellow (kii) koji, and sake uses only yellow (kii) koji.(koji is mold)
• With regard to final product, sake is more comparable to wine, while shōchū bears the likenesses of vodka and whiskey. Lastly, environmental climate requirements are different as well, with shōchū best in warm climates and sake best where it's cooler.

In all actuality, shōchū is sake. Sake, in Japanese, refers to an entire category of alcoholic beverages. As mentioned, the sake we all know and love is actually called Nihon-shu. In most of the world's locales, both here and abroad, when you order “sake,” the bar or restaurant will more than likely offer you a glass of Nihon-shu. Nevertheless, despite the dissimilarities between shochu and sake, they are still related in many ways. The similarities include:

• Both beverages are traditional products of Japan.
• They are both made using rice, koji mold, and moromi (mash).
• Each product is representative of its origin of production, with a variety of ways to drink them.

Shōchū
In the geographic center of shōchū production, Kyūshū, the drink is far more common than sake. In this region, sake generally means shōchū, and the most common way it is prepared is mixed with hot water. First hot water is poured into the glass, then shōchū is gently added. The liquids mix naturally and stirring is unnecessary. After one, you may experience mild inebriation. Should you venture to have another, you will do so "at your own risk." To achieve a perhaps more authentic and subtle taste, mix the shōchū and water, let it stand for a day, and then gently re-heat.

In 1549, Francis Xavier, the missionary, visited Kagoshima Prefecture. He recorded, "The Japanese drink 'arak' made from rice, but I have not seen a single drunkard, because once inebriated, they immediately lie down and go to sleep." While mostly considered an old-man's drink, recently it has become trendy amongst young women.

Japanese citizen Shigechiyo Izumi, who up until recently, held the Guinness Book of World Record for longest life span (120 years), insists shōchū was a part of his daily diet. This even prompted some local Ryūkyū shōchū brewers to market a special Longevity Liquor shōchū bearing his likeness on the front label. Izumi's physician advised against drinking shōchū in his advanced age, but Izumi went on to say, "Without shōchū there would be no pleasure in life. I would rather die than give up drinking.

Types of Shōchū
Honkaku

Historically known as Otsurui shōchū, it roughly translates to "Genuine" shōchū. In other words, it is the real thing. The production of Honkaku shōchū dates back to the 14th century and it is widely known for its flavor and aroma. This contrasts with the common belief that distilled spirits possess very little flavor or aroma. Spirits like vodka, for example, usually undergo a double distillation process, which attributes to a loss in both flavor and aroma. Honkaku shōchū on the other hand, is produced by a single distillation process, allowing the beverage to retain most of the flavor and aromatic qualities found in the raw material.
Made using a variety of raw materials: sweet potatoes, barley, buckwheat, and rice are the most frequently used. Three koji mold types: yellow, white, and black. The alcohol content of Honkaku shōchū ranges from 15% to 45%. It can be drunk straight, on the rocks, or mixed with hot or cold water.

 Kourui
For a shōchū to be classified as Kourui, it must first undergo a multiple—and often continuous—distillation process. As a result of this distillation process, Kourui shōchū is usually quite odorless and tasteless, which makes it quite comparable to vodka. Some actually refer to Kourui shōchū as “Japanese vodka.” Kourui lacks most aroma and flavor characteristics. The alcohol content of Kourui shōchū can be as high as 36% . It is most often used to make mixed drinks. Common mixers include: green tea, Chinese Oolong tea, grapefruit and lemon juice.

Awamori

Awamori is a distilled spirit that is indigenous to the islands of Okinawa and is thought to have been inspired by raoron, a distilled spirit historically produced in Thailand. Awamori actually predates the production of shōchū on mainland Japan and in a sense, paved the way for shōchū production throughout Japan. Up until 1983, it was labeled as “shōchū” by the Japanese government, but now Awamori bears its own label, "Authentic Ryukyuan Awamori."

Made exclusively with long-grain, Thai style indica rice and one koji type: black, it has with an earthy and robust flavor and aroma. In general, the alcohol content of Awamori ranges from 25% to 45%. Drunk in a variety of ways: straight, on the rocks, or mixed with hot or cold water, the most popular way to drink Awamori is oyuwari, or with hot water.

Rice shōchū is also produced in regions famous for their sake, such as Niigata and Akita prefectures.
Barley shōchū if cask-aged the taste can be quite sharp and strongly reminiscent of single-malt whisky.
Potato shōchū The taste of potato shōchū is particularly evocative of almonds.
Brown sugar shōchū has a mild and not particularly sweet taste, contrary to what might be expected.
Soba shōchū using soba from the local mountainous region as its base ingredient. It's taste is milder than barley shōchū.
Awamori with its method of production, could be made anywhere in Japan, but Ryūkyū Awamori is a protected geographical indication restricted to Okinawa.
Kasutori shōchū has also come to be known as sanaburi shōchū.

Shōchū By Region
Shōchū production can be found in practically every prefecture in Japan. But when these locations are inspected more closely, a pattern describing what class of shōchū is produced where, begins to emerge.

Honkaku Shōchū
With a strong emphasis placed on flavor and aroma, Honkaku shōchū production is far more concentrated. The southern region of Japan, particularly Kyushu, is boasted as the Honkaku shōchū capital of Japan. Kyushu is renowned for its production of sweet potato shōchū (imojochu) and rice shōchū (komejochu). The following areas in Japan not only comprises the top 5 points of production, it also accounts for over 90% of all of Japan’s Honkaku production:

Kourui Shōchū
The production of Kourui shochu can be found in nearly every region of Japan. Widespread production of rice and grain across the country, and a climate-friendly manufacturing process makes Kourui shōchū the most region-friendly shōchū. The top 5 points of production are as follows:

Fushimi 
Noted both for its moderate weather and for a famous underground spring known as "Fushimizu". The area around the TAMANOHIKARI factory is surrounded by numerous groves of trees, planted and protected by the Imperial Household Agency to beautify the tombs of the Emperors Kanmu and Meiji. This natural surrounding contributes to the delicate taste of the Fushimizu spring:

Awamori Shōchū
With its method of production, Awamori could be made anywhere in Japan, but Ryūkyū Awamori is a protected geographical indication restricted to Okinawa.

What makes the history of shōchū so fascinating is its lack thereof. Like other distilled beverages around the world, shōchū was primarily used for medicinal remedies since the 9th century and after it was first introduced in Japan, it was used in the same way. The actual origin of shōchū remains a mystery to this day, but many experts and historians hypothesize that shōchū production methods were introduced by Thailand.

According to legend, it was first introduced in the islands of what is now known as Okinawa sometime around the 14th or 15th centuries. Following this, Awamori and its distillation method spread throughout the islands of Okinawa. Soon after, the island of Amami Ooshima, then southern most island of mainland Japan, which led to production in Kagoshima and eventually, to the rest of Japan.

In recent years, Japanese shōchū has experienced an unprecedented boom in popularity, not only in Kyushu, but all across Japan. It is truly an exceptional beverage in many ways; the countless number of brands; its method of production; the raw materials used and its history.

Based on data presented in the annual Liquor Tax Report, between the years of 1996 and 2003, shōchū consumption actually increased by 42%. With such a boom in popularity, many conventional bars were unable to maintain a selection of shōchū that was satisfactory for connoisseurs; thus the shōchū bar was born. These are comparable to whiskey bars, except they exclusively serve shōchū. Many of these boast selections of as many as 100 different kinds of shōchū.

In the United States, distributors of shōchū have also experienced a surge in sales, though the rise wasn't quite as dramatic as it has been in Japan. Despite a growing demand overseas, many shōchū producers don’t believe there is any need to further expand into international markets because they are satisfied competing within the national market of Japan. Furthermore, some producers are already operating at maximum capacity just to meet demand in Japan. I hope you have enjoyed this and it prompts you to learn more and try shōchū for yourself.

Bon Appetit,

Lou

Sources:
www.thefoodsection.com , www.00sake.com , www.city.hanamaki.iwate.jp , www.wikipedia.org