Can you believe that Scotland has 421 different words for snow? ๐ฒ Some cool examples include sneesl (to begin snowing or raining) โ, feefle (to swirl) ๐ฌ๏ธ, and flinkdrinkin (a light snowfall) ๐จ๏ธ
factfactsfun factgeography
It may sound a little crazy, but hot water freezes faster than cold waterโthis is known as the Mpemba effect! ๐คฏ๐ง Scientists believe it happens because the particles in hot water move in a way that helps them freeze faster. ๐ง๐จ If this theory is confirmed, it could even help with things like cooling down electronics more efficiently, according to studies from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. ๐ฑโ๏ธ factsfun factscience
We were taught that 71% of Earth's surface is covered in water ๐, but here's the surprising partโhumans can only use a tiny 0.007% of that water! ๐ฆ According to National Geographic ๐ฐ, that's because only 2.5% of Earth's water is fresh, and just 1% of that is accessible ๐๏ธ. The rest is locked up in glaciers and snowfields โ๏ธ factfactsfun factscience
๐ Did you know only 25% of the Sahara Desert is covered in sand? ๐๏ธ Most of it is made up of gravel ๐ชถ, plus there are mountains ๐๏ธ and oases ๐ด hidden within! And here's a fun twist ๐: Antarctica ๐ง is actually the largest desert, not the Sahara! โ๏ธ factfactsfun fact
Formation and History of Lake Corcoran
๐ What It Was: Lake Corcoran existed approximately 600,000 to 700,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. It covered a vast area in what is now California's Central Valley, stretching from present-day Bakersfield to the Sacramento area.
Why Did It Disappear?
Geological Shifts
โฐ๏ธ Change in Water Flow: Lake Corcoran was primarily fed by rivers draining the Sierra Nevada mountains. Initially, its waters flowed west into the Pacific Ocean through the Monterey Bay area.
๐ Breakthrough to the Pacific: Over time, the lake's water eroded a natural dam in the area near what is now the Carquinez Strait. This catastrophic breakthrough caused massive drainage, redirecting the water into San Francisco Bay and effectively draining the lake.
Tectonic Activity
๐ Movement of Earth's Crust: The Central Valley's geology is heavily influenced by tectonic activity, including the uplift of the coastal ranges and the subsidence of the valley floor. These changes gradually shifted water flow patterns, preventing the lake from reforming.
Climatic Changes
โ๏ธ End of Glacial Periods: The lake existed during glacial periods when cooler temperatures led to higher water levels from snowmelt. As the climate warmed, reduced water inflow and evaporation accelerated the lake's disappearance.
What Remains Today?
๐๏ธ Modern Central Valley: The fertile soils of California's Central Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, are partly a result of sediments deposited by Lake Corcoran.
๐ Tulare Lake: Smaller remnants of Lake Corcoran, such as Tulare Lake, persisted for thousands of years before being drained by human intervention in the 19th century.
Legacy
๐งฌ Impact on Evolution: Lake Corcoran's disappearance transformed the landscape, impacting ecosystems and species in the region. It played a role in shaping California's unique biodiversity.
๐ก Geological Insight: The study of Lake Corcoran provides valuable insight into the dynamic relationship between climate, tectonics, and water systems over geological timescales.
๐ The Big Picture: Lake Corcoran's story is a powerful reminder of how Earth's landscapes can undergo dramatic transformations due to natural forces. Its disappearance helped shape the region we know today. ๐โจ factsfun factsciencegeographyhistory
foodrecipe
๐ช COOKIE DOUGH
450 g Biscoff cookies ๐ช
160 ml milk ๐ฅ
๐ฆ CREAM
250 g mascarpone ๐ง
40 g granulated sugar ๐ก
8 g vanilla sugar ๐ฟ
8 g cream stiffener (klopfix) ๐ง
250 ml heavy cream ๐ฅ
๐ฏ TOPPING
150 g Biscoff spread ๐ฏ
๐ GARNISH
Biscoff cookies ๐ช
Strawberries ๐
Grind the cookies:
Put the Biscoff cookies in a food processor and grind them finely.
Prepare the cookie dough:
Transfer the finely ground Biscoff cookies to a deep bowl and add the milk ๐ฅ, little by little. Mix together. Note that you should add the milk gradually because some Biscoff cookies may absorb less milk than others.
Roll out the dough:
Take a sheet of plastic wrap and place it on your work surface. Scoop the cookie dough onto it and cover it with a sheet of parchment paper. Roll out the cookie dough with a rolling pin until it reaches 35x35 cm ๐.
Make the cream:
In a deep bowl, combine the mascarpone ๐ง, sugar ๐ก, vanilla sugar ๐ฟ, and whipping cream stabilizer ๐ง. Mix well. Gradually add the heavy cream ๐ฅ and mix until the cream forms stiff peaks.
Assemble the roll:
Spread the cream over the rolled-out cookie dough. Transfer the remaining cream into a piping bag ๐จ (donโt forget to attach the piping tip) and store it in the refrigerator.
Carefully roll up the cookie dough, using the plastic wrap, and wrap it tightly once it's rolled up. Place the no-bake Biscoff cake roll in the refrigerator โ๏ธ to set.
Prepare the topping:
In a saucepan over low heat ๐ฅ, heat the Biscoff spread ๐ฏ until it becomes liquid. Stir constantly; it heats up quickly.
Decorate the roll:
Place the no-bake Biscoff cake roll on a plate ๐ฝ๏ธ. Spread the Biscoff spread ๐ฏ over it. Once the topping has set, garnish the cake roll with lines of Biscoff spread (use a piping bag ๐จ or a sandwich bag).
Pipe a swirl of cream ๐ฆ on top and decorate with cookies ๐ช and strawberries ๐.
Enjoy your delicious no-bake Biscoff cake roll! ๐๐ฐ
foodrecipe
๐ฅ POTATO-CHEESE MIXTURE
650 g potatoes ๐ฅ
50 g carrot ๐ฅ
50 g peas ๐ฑ
1 chicken stock cube ๐ง
900 ml water ๐ง
100 g grated cheese ๐ง
100 g cheddar cheese ๐ง
30 g corn ๐ฝ
25 g unsalted butter ๐ง
3 g onion powder (1 tsp) ๐ง
2 g garlic powder (โ tsp) ๐ง
3 g cayenne pepper (1 tsp) ๐ถ๏ธ
1 g black pepper (โ tsp) โซ
๐พ FLOUR MIXTURE
50 g flour ๐พ
25 g cornstarch ๐ฝ
2 g onion powder (โ tsp) ๐ง
2 g cayenne pepper (โ tsp) ๐ถ๏ธ
1 g black pepper (โ tsp) โซ
๐ณ COATING
2 medium eggs ๐ฅ
Nachos (crushed) ๐ฎ
Prepare the vegetables:
Peel the potatoes ๐ฅ and carrots ๐ฅ, and cut them into cubes. Put them in a pan with 900 ml water ๐ง, and crumble the chicken stock cube ๐ง over it. Bring to a boil ๐ฅ and cook for 10 minutes. Then, add the peas ๐ฑ and cook for another 5 minutes.
Mash the potatoes:
Drain the water and separate the carrots ๐ฅ and peas ๐ฑ from the potatoes ๐ฅ. Add the butter ๐ง to the potatoes and mash. Mix in the onion powder ๐ง , garlic powder ๐ง, cayenne pepper ๐ถ๏ธ, and black pepper โซ.
Combine the ingredients:
Add the grated cheese ๐ง, cheddar ๐ง, peas ๐ฑ, carrots ๐ฅ, and corn ๐ฝ to the mashed potatoes ๐ฅ. Mix well.
Shape the mixture:
Spread the mixture evenly on a tray lined with baking paper ๐, pressing it down firmly. Cut the mixture into triangle shapes (or any shape you prefer) ๐บ. Place the tray in the freezer โ๏ธ for 1 hour to firm up.
Cut the shapes:
Remove the tray from the freezer โ๏ธ and use a sharp knife ๐ช to fully cut out the triangles. Place on a sheet of baking paper ๐.
Prepare the coating:
In a bowl ๐ฅฃ, mix the flour ๐พ, cornstarch ๐ฝ, onion powder ๐ง , cayenne pepper ๐ถ๏ธ, and black pepper โซ.
Coat the bites:
Dip the frozen triangles ๐บ first in the flour mixture, then in the beaten eggs ๐ฅ, and finally in the crushed nachos ๐ฎ.
Freeze again:
Cover the nacho bites and place them back in the freezer โ๏ธ.
Fry the snacks:
Heat a layer of sunflower oil ๐ป in a frying pan over medium heat ๐ฅ, or use a deep fryer (175ยฐC / 350ยฐF). Fry the nacho snacks until golden brown and crispy โจ. Drain on paper towels ๐งป.
Traveling to Da Lat, Vietnam ๐ป๐ณ
Da Lat, the "City of Eternal Spring" ๐ธ, is a charming highland retreat known for its cool climate ๐ค๏ธ, romantic ambiance โค๏ธ, and natural beauty ๐ฟ:
Xuan Huong Lake ๐ถ: A serene spot in the city center, perfect for boating ๐ค, cycling ๐ด, or a peaceful stroll.
Dalat Flower Gardens ๐ผ: A colorful paradise showcasing diverse blooms ๐น, orchids, and bonsai trees ๐ณ.
Crazy House ๐๏ธ: A whimsical architectural marvel full of winding staircases and quirky designs โจ.
Langbiang Mountain ๐๏ธ: A popular hiking destination with stunning panoramic views ๐ and outdoor activities like paragliding ๐ช.
Pongour & Elephant Waterfalls ๐ฆ: Majestic waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for nature lovers ๐.
Truc Lam Zen Monastery ๐: A peaceful Buddhist site overlooking Tuyen Lam Lake ๐, reachable by cable car ๐ก.
Dalat Night Market ๐๏ธ: A bustling spot for street food ๐ข, handmade crafts ๐, and vibrant local culture ๐ถ.
Coffee Plantations โ: Famous for unique Vietnamese coffee, including the iconic weasel coffee ๐พ.
Da Latโs cool weather โ๏ธ, stunning landscapes ๐ณ, and laid-back vibe make it a perfect escape from the tropical heat ๐ด. โจ
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