| In this issue... |
| L’Île de Beauté |
| Culinary Corner |
| AOC |
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| French Phrase of the Day |
Comment dit-on en français?
How does one say this in french? |
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| Flickr Photo of the Day |
 Corsica,_France
by shimown |
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L’Île de Beauté:
the Isle of Beauty
 Roughly the size of New Hampshire, Corsica is a tiny jewel in the Mediterranean, about 120 miles southeast of Nice. When the ancient Greeks sailed into its shimmering coast they were mesmerized, declaring the island "Kalliste", the Most Beautiful.
Exploring the island via train, automobile, or by foot will uncover layer upon layer at each turn and bend of Corsica’s diverse landscape. At one extreme you’ll find St Florent, known as the St Tropez of Corsica, with its bustling waterfront, chic marina and quaint old town. Juxtaposed you have the hilltop region of Castagniccia, the largest chestnut forest in the world.
As it is an island, Corsica is known for its fabulous coastal landscapes and marine life. However, it is above all a land of mountains. The central range of the island extends from north to south in a succession of peaks, slopes and gorges, dividing the island into two parts: The Eastern, fertile and rich plain and the Western coast, jagged terrain and full of cliffs. This central chain is also traversed by many rivers that empty into the sea. This varying backdrop makes Corsica a cornucopia of wine, honey, chestnuts, cheese, Clementines, olive oil, fresh fish, and wild boar...
Covering about 20% of the island between the mountains and the coast you’ll find the maquis a special wild-scrub area, covered in flowers such as immortelle, mint, myrtle, yarrow, pomegranate, carnations...just to name a few. Imagine the fusion of aromatic scents! Now imagine the unique affect these fragrances have on all that is cultivated and produced in Corsica.
The beauty of Corsica is to be discovered through all five senses. However, I feel this should come with a disclaimer: the sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and palpable elements of this magnificent island could possibly cause sensory overload. From the ancient Greeks to today’s visitors, a whole succession of civilizations has marveled at the breathtaking Corsican landscapes, making it truly an "Isle of Beauty".
Culinary Corner - Corsican Dessert
 If you like dessert and you like cheese then Fiadone may provide you a Corsican slice of heaven. Fiadone is a soft cheese tart, similar to a crustless cheesecake, and about an inch in thickness. What makes this dessert Corsican is the cheese: Brocciu. Pronounced "brooch", Brocciu is one of the most famous specialties from Corsica. It’s made with sheep's milk and/or goat's milk. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?
Want to bring Corsica to your kitchen? Here’s a link to a few traditional Corsican recipes, including Fiadone, inspired by its local ingredients. Cosican-Products.com Bon appétit!
AOC
 Appellation d’origine controlee [ah-pehl-lah-SYAWN daw-ree-JEEN kawn-traw-LAY], which translates as "controlled designation of origin", is a government granted certification of quality on French wines, cheeses, and other agricultural products. The certification indicates an adherence to a demanding criteria necessary for qualification and is based on location of origination. It’s a quality mark limited to the products’ own characteristics, but is also closely linked with its natural elements (geography, climate, soil, etc), as well as human influence (skill, tradition, and know-how). This is why the location of production gives the product a very strongly unique identity and therefore preserves the diversity of the products.
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