NATIONAL CHAI DAY

On September 21st, the aroma filling the room comes from ancient spices, perfectly steeped into a cup of delicious tea. National Chai Day celebrates the strong, satisfying tea that is ordered at cafes across the country.

While the Indian beverage dates back nearly 5,000 years, the chai served in homes and coffee shops today comes in many forms. For traditional chai, steep it with black tea leaves. Add whole milk for the richest flavor. Some even prefer almond or coconut milk. The most common spice in chai is cardamom. Though blends will vary from place to place, other spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, and fennel. Finally, sweeten the tea with pure sugar.

This time of year, we can’t resist the creamy, sweet combination, either! So, wrap your hands around a warm cup and let the aromatic steam permeate your senses. One sip will tell you how enjoyable National Chai Day is going to be!

NATIONAL CHAI DAY HISTORY

SomruS founded National Chai Day on September 21, 2018, to celebrate the flavorful drink spreading its leaves across the country by the cupful.

ABOUT SOMRUS

SomruS is the World’s First Line of Indian Liqueurs. Our flagship product, SomruS Original, is an artisanal Chai liqueur made with cardamom and other eastern spices, nuts, real Wisconsin dairy and Caribbean Rum. Created by an Indian American couple in their kitchen in Burr Ridge, IL just 4 years ago, SomruS Original Indian Cream Liqueur is now the most awarded cream liqueur on the planet (www.proof66.com). SomruS is the first liqueur that can be used to create authentic chai adult beverages from a Chaitini to a Hard Chai to a Hot Chai Latte. Our liqueur is next generation in terms of quality and is low ABV and gluten-free with no preservatives or artificial flavors.

TAZO Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte Tea Concentrate, 32 oz

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HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CHAI DAY

Visit a local tea shop or cafe and order a cup of chai. Choose from a variety of blends. While chai is customarily steeped with black tea, green chai is available, too. Try both! Introduce a friend to the love of chai, too! When you do, give a shout out to your favorite cafe. Take a selfie as you enjoy and use #NationalChaiDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL GUACAMOLE DAY

National Guacamole Day on September 16 brings fresh flavors together for the perfect celebration. What a great way to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month!

Avocados shine as the star of this dip! Lime juice, tomatoes, onion, and seasonings make guacamole a guilt-free addition to any snack or meal.

Since avocados fall under the superfood category, feel free to indulge. Packed full of good fats and nutrients, along with the fresh taste of lime and hint of spice, the dip is flavorful. It’s easy to make, too. Take it to work or use it for a party dish.

Guacamole is versatile, too. For example, add it as a topping on a quesadilla or even add it to a salad. Of course, the simplest way to enjoy is by dipping your favorite tortilla chip.

Originating with the Aztecs in Mexico, guacamole is an avocado-based sauce that has become popular in American cuisine as a dip, condiment, and salad ingredient. 

Using a mortar and pestle, mash ripe avocados and then mixing in sea salt.  Beyond the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and lemon juice, hot sauce, yogurt or other seasonings can be added.  If a celebration calls for spicier guacamole, add jalapenos, chilis, cumin, or red pepper. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGuacamoleDay

Mix up your favorite recipe for guacamole. Go to your favorite restaurant and order some fresh guacamole. While there, give a shout out to the restaurants with the best guacamole around.  Be sure to invite friends. As we say around here, why #CelebrateEveryDay if you don’t do it with friends? Share your recipes and find the best combination. Use #NationalGuacamoleDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL CHEESE PIZZA DAY

On September 5th, National Cheese Pizza Day says, “Hold the toppings!” That’s right, cheese is all you need when celebrating this pizza holiday. Whether the pie is homemade or ordered in, make it cheese only. 

Add a variety of cheeses to your pie to celebrate. Smokey gouda or a little gorgonzola might mix it up. If you like a little cheddar, mild or sharp shredded across the top will do. Debates prevail over thin or thick crust. However, that debate is for another day. The cheese holds the spotlight on this occasion. In fact, thin-crust doesn’t even have a day. How did that happen? However, deep-dish does. Check out April 5th for more information about it. And National Pizza Day gets piping hot on February 9th. 

We do know a few things about pizza in general, though. In ancient Greece, they covered their bread with oils, herbs and cheese. Many believe this to be the beginning of the pizza. In Byzantine Greek the word was spelled πίτα, or pita, meaning pie. The Romans also developed a version of the pizza pie. Using bay leaves for flavoring, the Romans topped the dough with cheese and honey. 

When it comes to the modern pizza, we turn to Italy. Their Neapolitan flatbread created the beginnings of the pizza we know and love today. It was topped with mozzarella cheese made from high-quality buffalo milk. 

In the United States, we love our pizzas, especially cheese pizza. In 1997, it’s estimated the United States produced more than 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese. That’s a lot of cheese! Our passion for pizza began in 1905 when the first pizza eaty oped in New York’s Little Italy. It’s been a cheese love affair ever since. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCheesePizzaDay

Order up or bake up your own cheese pizza to celebrate! Take a pizza poll to find out who makes the best cheese pizza in your state. Test out a new recipe or try one of these below. Have a cheese pizza party. Invite friends over to make their favorite cheese pizzas and enjoy each other’s company. You can even try to break a world record. Make the largest cheese pizza or the thinnest.

While you can make the pizza at home don’t forget to give a shout out to your favorite pizzeria. Whether they service it by the slice or you order up a whole pizza, you know they make it with love.

Use #NationalCheesePizzaDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

Lasagna. Pizza. Manicotti. Ravioli. Cannoli. What do all of these delicious dishes have in common? They’re all made with Italian Cheese! September is National Italian Cheese Month, and there’s no better time to celebrate the buttery, bold, creamy, crumbly and nutty Italian Cheeses that are essential to our favorite Italian fare. After all, these are the memorable meals that bring families together!

With as many as 450 varieties of Italian Cheese—there are enough tastes and textures to satisfy every age group and palate. How many have you tried? Imagine the recipes!

Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in the United States, with the average American eating more than 11 pounds of this classic cheese every year. (Fantastico!) But that’s not where our love affair with Italian Cheese ends. Other favorites include the versatile Ricotta and Provolone, hard cheese like Parmesan and Romano, creamy selections like Fresh Mozzarella and Mascarpone, and one-of-a-kind flavors like Bel Paese, Asiago, and Gorgonzola. Italian Cheese is even available in Cheese Sticks, which are beloved by kids across the country!

Italian Cheese is full of a rich, flavorful history waiting to be shared. It is believed that Italian Cheese dates as far back as the Roman Empire, where many families had a special kitchen, called a caseale, used exclusively for making, aging, and storing cheese. Romans were passionate about creating and sharing their cheese, introducing the art of cheesemaking to other European countries. Today, fine Italian Cheese is made in both Italy and America, with some Italian Cheese earning Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring the cheese was made in a specific region following traditional methods.

HISTORY

Galbani® cheese founded National Italian Cheese Month in 2017 to celebrate America’s love of Italian Cheese.

Visit Galbani® for Italian Cheese recipes all month long. Follow them for more great ideas on FacebookInstagram and Pinterest.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Look no further for ways to celebrate Italian Cheese Month! Create the ultimate cheese plate to sample and share at work. Have your friends over for a make-your-own-pizza party. Or treat your family to decadent desserts like Cannoli and Tiramisu. There are so many ways to celebrate Italian Cheese, all you need is the appetite! Share your favorites by using #NationalItalianCheeseMonth on social media.

NATIONAL LASAGNA DAY

The best way to join in National Lasagna Day on July 29th is to bake up a pan of the Italian pasta dish. Another way to celebrate is by getting a table at your favorite Italian restaurant. 

Due to lasagna’s broad noodles, the pasta lends itself to layering. A variety of ingredients such as cheeses, meats, vegetables, and sauces create a delicious blend of savory baked layers. For individual servings, roll similar elements into the pasta noodles. A fun twist is white lasagna.   Made with chicken, mushrooms, alfredo sauce and white cheeses. 

Since lasagna is one of the oldest kinds of pasta, cooks have developed quite a selection of recipes. From vegan to seafood and dessert, lasagna fills recipe books around the world. Even the sauces come in a wide variety.

Unsurprisingly, many families create unique recipes that are passed down from generation to generation. Sometimes the sauce makes the lasagna special, too. Other families make their sausage from scratch. Fresh-picked tomatoes, onions, and herbs are often a cook’s secret. Others will claim the best lasagna makers use a specific kind and number of cheeses.

Overall, most lasagna recipes call for mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta. However, lasagna is not limited to those three kinds of cheese. Italian seasonings such as garlic, basil, and oregano bring that delicious flavor, too. Try this super easy lasagne made in the crockpot too. Lazy Lasagna has all the flavor of the original with a fraction of the work. For another easy take on this classic try Lasagna Soup too. Find the variation and freezer version with keto friendly ingredients Lazy Lasagna recipe.

For the low carb and keto diets you can substitute strips of zucchini or even eggplant for a lower carb delight.  Make your sauce from scratch to control sugars and use plenty of cheeses.  Bring this classic comfort food to your healthy table too.

  • The origin of lasagna is debated with varying theories. 
  • Initially, the word lasagna referred to the pot in which the dish was cooked rather than the food. 
  • A 14th-century English cookbook featured a recipe for lasagna. 
  • Even cartoon characters enjoy the dish. Garfield, the cat, declares his love for lasagna in the cartoon strip with his name. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLasagnaDay

Have a lasagna cookoff. Invite friends and family over for an evening of lasagna tasting. While everyone tastes and compares, enjoy a bottle of wine and laughter. Meanwhile, tell stories of your first attempt to make lasagna – everyone has one. And, don’t forget to get the children involved in baking, too! Lasagna is a family-friendly baking experience. They can mix ingredients and add layers before the cooking begins.

Try one of these recipes:

Post on social media using #NationalLasagnaDay and share your celebration.