Especially in the current times, some people really get wanderlust and go halfway around the world on vacation. Not only do you end up in climate zones that are completely different from your own. Culinary delights also open up a whole new world. To be able to enjoy this variety unadulterated, the right drink must accompany the food.
Fish have to swim – even in Asia
If you go to Asia, fish is the classic. In Japan, the land of longevity, the cuisine is similar to traditional East Asian cuisine in general. Raw or cooked fish, seafood and rice are traditionally on the table, as are vegetables, noodles, eggs and tofu. However, far fewer spices are used in Japanese cuisine. The taste of the fresh food is the focus and should not be masked. This makes choosing the right drink all the more important. This is where Japan shows its international face. From French mineral water to German beer, everything is available. However, you should refrain from the latter if you don’t want to spoil the fine food.
Drinking water is one of the healthiest ways to meet our body’s fluid requirements, regardless of what we eat. The human body consists of around two thirds water. It is a transport and solvent for a variety of processes in the body. If we drink a sip of water every now and then with our exotic Japanese food, the valuable ingredients preserved by the gentle preparation are particularly well dissolved in the digestive tract and transported to their destination.
Moderately mineralized, non-carbonated water is a good choice here. This has a neutral taste and does not affect the delicate flavor of the food. If the enjoyment can be rounded off with a glass of wine, sake, known here as rice wine, is traditionally served in Japan. If you prefer a drink with a more moderate alcohol content, a light white wine is a good choice, as it leaves enough room for the flavors of the food to develop. If you drink wine with a meal, a glass of water after the glass of wine is obligatory. It dilutes the alcohol and quenches the thirst, so that the wine is really just a pleasure drink.
Hearty food at the change of continents
If you live your own road movie on vacation and cruise through the USA, sooner or later you will come across steaks, baked potatoes and buttered corn on the cob. Not for every day, but when you’re “on the road”, a sinful meal like this is a must. And, of course, the right drink. Good for savers: water is usually free in American restaurants. However, this could really spoil your meal – it is usually tap water that is heavily chlorinated. For the same reason, you should avoid ice cubes in your drink – they also create an open-air swimming atmosphere in your mouth. It’s better to reach into your wallet again and order mineral water – and plenty of it.
The hearty and fatty food with barbecue and other sauces makes us reach for the glass all by itself. This is the body’s way of signaling that the well-seasoned, salty food has upset the electrolyte balance somewhat, which needs to be compensated for by drinking enough. Water that is low in table salt is best suited for this – otherwise the balance will not work. If you fancy something alcoholic, this meal can also be enjoyed with a strong red wine or a tasty beer. But even if the latter runs down your throat refreshingly, alcoholic drinks are not suitable for covering your fluid requirements. Water should be used here in an unspectacular, healthy and low-calorie way.
Eating with the neighbors
Those who prefer to vacation on their home continent will probably encounter pizza, pasta or haute cuisine. The liquid accompaniments to the food are as varied and finely accentuated as the dishes here. The food is accompanied by wines of countless qualities and flavors, with something for every taste. What they all have in common is that the carafe of water belongs on the table. This refreshes the taste buds in between, which ensures a constant stream of new moments of pleasure. What’s more, when we drink water to quench our thirst, we are less likely to reach for a glass of wine – the best hangover prevention there is. And the body stays well hydrated, an important aspect especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors on vacation and lose fluids through sweating.
Globetrotter’s liquid companion
Wherever we go on our travels, one thing should always be with us: Water. No matter how exotic the food is at the vacation destination, water goes well with it – if we choose the right one. Not only distributed throughout the day, but also drunk at the table, it constantly provides new taste experiences, keeps our digestion and metabolism on the go and keeps unnecessary calories at bay – so that we can drink the next bottle of water in a bikini on the beach with a clear conscience.
