Very often those rare gems are manufactured from rare cultivars carrying the last genetic material from hundreds - or thousands - of years of selection. These plants represent a tremendous resource the world needs to save for our future. Unfortunately these species cannot compete with cultivars bred only for production.
In the case of Rum Agricole it has nothing to to with the sugar cane, its difference to all other rums consists solely in the fact that the French rum is produced directly from sugar syrop, whereas the other rum destillers reboil the left over crap from the sugar mills. The difference of the taste is huge. The French can do it only because of the CAP subsidies.
The same is true for those Chianti wines which still follow the traditional method called 'al governo toscano' which prescribes the double fermentation and an extended decantation period until the first full moon after Easter. The CAP makes it possible.
The same is possibly true for all food production processes which require time.
Btw: 'Real' Coca-Cola is produced in the EU and can now be purchased as premium quality re-import in the US too. CAP again?
Link to real Coca-Cola imported from Holland:
http://www.popsoda.com/coccolfromho.html
7oz Longneck Bottle
The Real Thing with Real Sugar.Enjoy this Classic beverage the way it is meant to taste with Low to Medium Carbonation for more of the Classic Coke Flavor.
Contains: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Citric Acid, Anti-Oxidant, Natural Cola Extract.
"The USA appears destined by fate to plague America with misery in the name of liberty." Simon Bolivar, Caracas, 1819
Anyone distinquish between the 'Bouncing Beefstake,' bred to withstand a fall of 1 meter intact, and an heirloom tomato which survived the decades by its superior taste.
Commercially, the standard (here in the States) Beefstake is grown because one plant will produce 8 lbs (~3.75 kilos). Heirlooms cannot compete on a per-plant/output basis. The Beefstake tastes like rubber but people have to buy the damn things because that's all there is.
This is slowly changing as produce and meats that have taste and flavour (zounds!) enter the market.
Thanks for the coke link (great catch), I know several big coke drinkers who have been moaning about its taste and that I need to get off my back!
OT to the people in charge: this whole thread reminds me that we need a "favorite whisky" survey or something of that nature :-)
Cheers all
