Food is central to every culture. The what, why, and hows of culinary history are diverse and fascinating. From the forgotten Roman condiment to the short-lived hot soda, there’s no end to the depth of interesting food facts. No. 1: Double-Dip Faux Pas The nobility of the Ottoman Empire followed a complex but rational code of culinary conduct. After washing with soap and water, they ate primarily with their hands. Once the meal began, they followed rules much like ours. Double dipping and lip-smacking were frowned upon, and eating more than one bite of a dish was rude, too. Luckily, meals had dozens of unique dishes. 4 FASCINATING HISTORICAL FOOD FACTS
WHAT OUR CU
“Jason Mitchell took great care of the property we needed to sell. He is very
professional and answered all of the questions that we had for him to our satisfaction. He kept us completely informed with every step of the process, from clearing out the property, any repair work needed, upgrading the property, and staging the house. If I had another property to sell, I would have Jason take care of it!” –Robin Nishimura, Hawaii
No. 2: The Lost Condiment The Romans left behind a vibrant legacy. Aqueducts are still used throughout Europe, while their language is the basis of many other languages. One thing that hasn’t stood the test of time is garum. They poured this condiment on almost everything they ate. Made from fermented fish, garum’s salty, fishy flavor no longer appeals to the average Westerner’s palate. No. 3: Hot Beverage Fail Dr. Pepper, like most sodas, is best enjoyed cold. This means there are fewer soda sales during the winter when people opt for comforting, warm beverages. To remedy this, the soda company tried to push hot Dr. Pepper in the 1960s. Meant to be served warm with lemon, they marketed it to magazines, television, and radio. The campaign was unsurprisingly unsuccessful. No. 4: Roaming Ramen Ramen is one of Japan’s most iconic dishes, but it doesn’t actually originate from Japan. The noodle soup comes from China, where it is known as shina soba. It became popular in Japan after World War II. The country had undergone a food shortage for years but had finally started importing supplies. Chinese food was believed to be nourishing and filling, so street vendors offering cheap but delicious ramen became a mainstay. Once instant ramen was invented, the noodle soup became associated with Japan worldwide. Whenever you sit down for dinner, consider how you eat and the odd traditions you unconsciously observe. We’re all part of a marvelous culinary culture and should celebrate what makes us unique.
HOME SALES AND PRICES
Single-family home buyers and sellers entered contracts more quickly in April. During April, there was an uptick in single-family home and condo sales. Single-family home sales rose by 26.0% year-over-year, totaling 262 transactions, and by 13.9% month-over-month. Similarly, condo sales saw a 2.6% rise compared to last year, totaling 431 units sold and a 25.3% increase month-over-month. In April, buyers and sellers for single-family homes entered contract quickly, with median days on the market decreasing to 17 from 24 days a year ago. Conversely, condos experienced a more extended selling period, with median days on the market rising to 29 from 20 compared to last April. Honolulu’s Board of Realtors (HBR) April Monthly Statistics Report also shows: • Despite a change in momentum, sales remained subdued compared to recent years. Based on a 12-month moving average, April's average was about 40% below the peak averages of 2021 and 2022. • Median prices for single-family homes remained stable at $1,100,000, a 10% year-over-year increase, while condo prices reached $528,000, up 5.6%. • Single-family homes priced at $1,100,000 and above surged 50%, with 132 sales. Condos priced at $600,000 and above increased by 23.1%, while units within the lower price range of $300,000 to $399,999 decreased by 35.1%. • One-third of single-family home sales closed above the original asking price, compared to 25% in April
2
THEMITCHELLGROUPHAWAII.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator