Breakfast with rubies, all red gourmet

Red is the color of fire and blood, warmth and vitality. The red food They almost always seem to us much more attractive than the green ones, not to mention the blue ones, which put us on alert and provoke us rejection. Red is also the color of luxury: There was a time when dyeing a cloth red extracted from mealybugs was so long, complicated and expensive that only the rich and the nobles could afford it. Moreover, the law restricted the use of red clothing only and exclusively to the upper classes. For this reason, Red carpet It is still red, because it is the ephemeral path of the VIPs of each era. We compile a top ten of the most sweet, fashionable and exclusive red delicacies on the planet.

Pitaya, fashionable fruit

You have probably already seen it peek into specialized greengrocers or a large supermarket. Although due to its beautiful appearance, between purple red and pink on the outside and black and white on the inside, it could well be in a window of a fashion store. The Pitaya o Dradon’s fruit It is a fruit of a tropical climate of Central American origin. It belongs to the same family as cacti, which explains its resistance to high temperatures and droughts. Its name in Antillean means “Flaky fruit” and alludes to his characteristic skin “Of dragon” which has earned him the nickname. It is made up of 85% water (almost like a watermelon, which is around 90%) and the black seeds that season the pulp, apparently, have substances that aid digestion. Of course, it is somewhat prohibitive: a single piece of Dradon’s fruit it costs more than 6 euros.

A Red Prawn with a star

La Red shrimp (Aristeus Antennatus) from Dénia is one of the treasures of the Mediterranean Sea. Finding it is not easy and, once found, catching it without damage is even more difficult. If we add to this that it is a highly valued crustacean for its excellent flavor, we understand why its price often rises to the stars. The chef Quique Dacosta, whose restaurant in Dénia bears three Michelin stars, has always paid tribute to this local product. The Dénia red prawn Boiled in sea water is one of the dishes on the menu of the new DNA La Busca season. A luxury squared.

Red Velvet, a classic (red) of pastry

We only know that it is an American invention, most likely of southern inspiration like many of the layer cakes. Your place and date of birth might be New York around the 20s, but when it comes to great culinary classics, setting dates and places is like walking on quicksand. Network Velvet Cake It is a cake made up of several layers of fluffy cocoa sponge cake and cream cheese or butter icing. Its name obviously comes from the reddish-brown color of the cake that most of the time is achieved by adding a food coloring or, a more natural alternative, beet juice. These tricks serve to enhance the effect, but in reality they are the own anthocyanins (natural pigments) of cocoa that, reacting with acidic ingredients such as vinegar or buttercream –both used in American confectionery– influence the characteristic and voluptuous reddish tone.

Wine therapy in an exclusive environment

We know that the skin and seeds of the grape and, consequently, the wine are rich in polyphenols, chemical compounds that perform an important antioxidant function. The vinotherapy is responsible for transforming this natural wealth into well-being for body and soul. At the Wine & Spa of the Hotel Peralada, in Alt Empordà, there are several packs that include grape and wine-based treatments, such as, for example, Body peeling with grape seeds. At Hotel Marqués de Riscal, in Álava, you can choose between hydromassage baths with red vine extracts, a moisturizing wrap based on honey and wine, a gommage based on grape seeds, honey, brown sugar and essential oils and baths in barrels with a view of the vineyards. On Les Sources de Caudalie, a pioneer establishment in wine therapy near Bordeaux, the most desirable plan for a little more than 900 euros are 4 days ranging from red wine baths to Merlot grape wraps, through Cabernet grape scrubs.

Measuring color and texture: the Japanese Wagyu

La wagyu meat Japanese (bovine breed) is one of the most exquisite and expensive in the world. Its intense red color and its brightness are indicators of the quality of the meat, as well as its characteristic infiltrations of fat responsible for the marbled appearance. The most precious specimens of Wagyu are those of Matsutsaka And, apparently, the secret of this meat is in pampering the calves a lot by massaging them, protecting them from flies, feeding them with hot beer, sheltering them when it is cold and even putting music on them while they eat. It can be eaten grilled Japanese Teppanyaki or in thin raw slices in Carpaccio, which is another red delicacy, by the way. In the legendary Rotunda of the Hotel Palace in Madrid They serve a Wagyu Carpaccio with aromas of the East, Noodles, Soy, Wasaki and Tofu.

Red Diamonds: Goji Berries

Some claim that Goji berries, one of the first superfoods to invade our pantries, are red diamonds. They are not without reason. These small fruits native to Mongolia contain all the essential amino acids, an infinity of micronutrients, Lots of vitamins, including C and B2, iron, zinc and some powerful antioxidants that make them precious allies in our search for eternal youth. It is one of the best positioned foods according to the ORAC index, which measures the components of a food according to their antioxidant capacity. In addition, they are authentic natural sweets, perfect to enrich salads, yogurts or smoothies.

Karkadé, infusion of Red Hibiscus Flower

Karkadé It is an Eritrean word that refers to a magnificent African invention. If you have never tried it, you have to remedy it as soon as possible. It is an infusion of Red Hibiscus Flower perfect to drink both hot and cold: with an intense red color and a somewhat acidic flavor reminiscent of blueberry, this drink is also known as Tea from Egypt o Jamaica’s water, Jamaica being another name for this flower. The water is boiled, removed from the heat and the dried hibiscus flowers are infused, which can be found in bulk or already packaged in many specialized stores. You can also add a little lemongrass that enhances its acidic touch or rather vanilla, which softens it. To the Karkadé a relaxing, diuretic and digestive effect is attributed.

Litchi: a flower-flavored fruit

A magenta red rind full of spikes that complicates the way to a white, round and shiny pulp with an attractive pink scent and a very sweet flavor. The litchi It is also known as lychee, lychee and Chinese cherry, this country being the first to taste the benefits of this fruit, which is also rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The Chinese reserve this ingredient a special place in their kitchen, especially as a dessert or to accompany meat and fish: for this reason they cultivate it from more than 2.000 years ago and they have taken it with them wherever they have moved and where the climatic conditions were suitable for cultivation. The lychee tree for its beauty is usually planted in gardens and parks.

Bloody Mary

Worchestershire sauce, Tabasco, a pinch of salt and pepper, some grated radish, lemon, vodka, tomato juice and celery to garnish. The Bloody Mary It is a classic of liquid cuisine that does not allow half measures: you either love it or you hate it. Apparently it was invented in Paris by a waiter at the Harry’s New York Bar no less than ten years before a certain George Jessel create something very similar in the United States. The Paris waiter named him Red Snapper, Jessel Bloody Mary, in honor of the English queen. Maria stuart who stained his hands with the blood of numerous Protestants to show off his iron catholic faith. Be that as it may, the name with which this alcoholic mix became a legend is much more evocative than the first. The Bloody Mary It is a must for Sunday brunch, something that has a lot to do with its curious reputation as a remedy against hangovers.

Red reishi, the “mushroom of hope” that celebrities like

El Reishi It is one of the superfoods most appreciated by Chinese medicine, which has known its virtues for more than 4.000 years. Among them, it seems, is the ability to help the body adapt to stress and stay in balance. In China it is also known as “Herb of spiritual potency”, “Mushroom of hope”, “Immortal plant” or “elixir of immortality.” No wonder that many celebs like Kim Kardashian have gone crazy for this mushroom, at least in its version of nutricosmetic. There are six varieties of Reishi, being the red the most powerful. It is taken in teas, infusions, smoothies or as a condiment and is also marketed as a powder in capsules.