$3 Michelin Star Taco

Daily Upsider on May 29, 2024

The Michelin Guide, known for awarding stars to top restaurants, has recognized a 100-square-foot taco stand in Mexico with its first-ever star. This stand, Taquería El Califa de León, is located in Mexico City’s San Rafael neighborhood and offers only four menu items with no seating available.

Taquería El Califa de León is the first taco stand in Mexico to receive a Michelin star, highlighted in Michelin’s first guide to Mexico published last week. Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez has been operating from the same stand on Avenida Ribera de San Cosme since 1968, cooking tacos on a 680-degree grill.

The preparation is simple: for the signature taco, Rivera Martínez grills a thin slice of beef with salt and lime juice, cooks a fresh tortilla, and serves them together on a plastic plate. Customers then add their choice of red or green sauce. The tacos, which include beef steak, beef rib, and pork chops, cost between 53 and 82 pesos ($3 to $5).

“The secret is the simplicity of our taco,” Rivera Martínez told the AP. “It has only a tortilla, red or green sauce and that’s it. That, and the quality of the meat.”

Michelin’s inspectors praised the stand’s food, noting, “there is a reason why El Califa de León has endured for more than half a century.”

José Luis Rodríguez Ávila, the stand’s manager, says the best way to eat their tacos is “standing up, elbow to elbow with other people and with a can of soda in hand.”

In its new guide, Michelin awarded two restaurants in Mexico two stars, 16 restaurants one star, and six “green” stars for sustainability. It also named 42 “Bib Gourmands” for affordable dining.

Michelin, originally a tire company founded in 1889, started its guide in 1900 to encourage driving. It began awarding stars in 1926 and continues to send anonymous inspectors to review restaurants. Earning a Michelin star is a significant achievement, comparable to winning an Olympic gold medal, according to chef Maxime Meilleur of La Bouitte in France.

World’s Deepest Ocean Sinkhole

Daily Upsider on May 27, 2024

Sinkholes occur not just on land but also underwater, where they are known as blue holes. Researchers have now identified the deepest blue hole on the planet, so deep they have not yet reached the bottom.

This discovery is the Taam Ja’ Blue Hole in Mexico’s Chetumal Bay, previously considered the world’s second-deepest. Researchers reported in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science that a December scuba diving expedition revealed it to be much deeper than initially thought.

“The TJBH is now the deepest blue hole discovered to date, with depths exceeding 420 meters below sea level, and the bottom remains unexplored,” the researchers stated. This new depth, over a quarter-mile below sea level, extends into the mesopelagic zone, also known as the twilight zone due to the limited sunlight.

Earlier estimates placed Taam Ja’s depth at approximately 274 meters below sea level, based on echo sounding, which measures the distance sound waves travel. However, the irregular shapes of blue holes and varying water densities limited this method. The latest measurements, using the SWiFT CTD technique to gauge conductivity, temperature, and depth, indicated the bottom was still beyond reach.

This new depth makes Taam Ja’ significantly deeper than other known blue holes, such as the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole in the South China Sea (301 meters), the Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas (202 meters), and the Dahab Blue Hole in Egypt (130 meters).

While blue holes might seem ominous, the NOAA describes them as “oasis in an otherwise barren seafloor,” teeming with marine life like corals, sponges, mollusks, sea turtles, and sharks. Despite their ecological richness, little is known about blue holes due to their inaccessibility and unpredictable distribution.

Many blue holes have small openings deep underwater, making them difficult for automated submersibles to enter. Initial reports of blue holes often came from fishermen and recreational divers rather than scientists.

The World’s Largest Picnic

Daily Upsider on May 16, 2024

Are you planning to be in Paris in late May? Consider sticking around for Le Grand Pique Nique, or as it’s known in German, Spanish, or Italian, “The Grand Picnic.”

From the Arc de Triomphe to the intersection of Avenue George V, nine temporary kitchens will line the famous Champs-Élysées for a gastronomic picnic on what’s claimed to be the world’s largest picnic blanket.

On Sunday, May 26th, LG Electronics is sponsoring this massive event, where 4,000 lucky tourists and locals will gather around a giant, traditional red and white checkered picnic rug to taste Parisian cuisine.

Though attendance is determined by a ballot system, the Champs-Élysées sees heavy foot traffic, especially now as Paris remains a top tourist destination.

Each chosen attendee receives a picnic basket to sample from the nine kitchens, with each square on the rug accommodating up to 6 people.

There will also be musical performances, games, and other outdoor entertainment.

In addition to offering food enthusiasts an unforgettable experience, the city aims to set the Guinness World Record for the largest picnic blanket.

Attendees may also catch a glimpse of the planned renovations by architect Philippe Chiambaretta for the €300 million post-Olympics makeover of the Champs-Élysées, addressing its perceived “worn out” appearance from 2021. The plan includes reducing parking spots, creating pedestrian areas, and transforming the space into “an extraordinary garden.”

Japan’s First 6G Device

Daily Upsider on May 15, 2024

A group of Japanese tech companies has introduced a high-speed 6G prototype device capable of transmitting data at an ultra-high speed of 100 Gbps. Operating in the 100 GHz and 300 GHz bands, the wireless device boasts a range of up to 100 meters, marking a significant leap forward from current 5G networks.

With the increasing adoption of 5G technology, the industry is already looking ahead to the next generation of cellular technology.

The consortium behind this advancement includes DOCOMO, NTT Corporation, NEC Corporation, and Fujitsu Limited. The development of this device, underway since 2021, reflects anticipation for the forthcoming 6G era.

While the prototype demonstrates impressive speeds, it’s important to note that 6G is still in its early stages of development. Significant work lies ahead before it can achieve mainstream adoption. Researchers suggest that commercially available 6G connectivity may emerge by 2030, requiring optimized hardware to support the higher band frequencies, as well as the deployment of new cell towers and integration of 6G phone antennas.

Amazing 93 Year Old Athlete

Daily Upsider on May 13, 2024

John Starbrook, affectionately known as “the Legend” among his friends, exemplifies the remarkable benefits of staying active well into one’s later years. At the age of 93, he is possibly the oldest water polo player at Hampton Pool in southwest London, and likely across the UK.

His sporting journey extends back nearly eight decades, beginning just after he left school at the end of World War II. Over the years, Starbrook has maintained a vigorous routine that includes swimming three times a week and participating in various sports, which he credits for his robust health in his 90s.

Starbrook’s athletic prowess was evident early on when he competed in national swimming championships as a young man. Although he didn’t win, the experience fueled a lifelong passion for water sports. This passion was highlighted when, at 80, he celebrated by swimming across the Gulf of Corryvreckan, a challenging stretch of water between the Scottish islands of Jura and Scarba.

Apart from his aquatic exploits, Starbrook has an impressive marathon history, having completed 52 marathons, including international races in places like Denmark and Barbados. Even more amazingly, all those marathons are from after he took up running at the age of 53.

His fastest marathon, a very respectable 4 hours and 14 minutes, was achieved in Snowdonia, a feat he humorously credits to being chased by sheep. His marathon journey continued well into his eighties, with his most recent 26-miler occurring in 2019 when he was 88.

Despite some skepticism from doctors and even his own family about the sustainability of his intense physical activity, Starbrook has continued to thrive, demonstrating the profound impact of a lifetime of fitness.