Number of beekeepers in New York City who keep hives on rooftops, in backyards, and sometimes in the living rooms of apartments in order to make honey. (Beekeeping has been legal in NYC since 2010). Each spring, millions of Italian honeybees are brought to the city and sold to avid keepers.
Number of spirits brands that sell more than $1 billion worth of their products. The six super power spirits are: Patrón Tequila, Hennessy Cognac, Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, Smirnoff Vodka, Tito’s Vodka, and Crown Royal Canadian Whisky. Patrón made headlines recently when it was sold to Bacardi for an astronomical $5.1 billion.
Minimum cost (in U.S. dollars) of a “bubble bath” at the Il Salviatino hotel in Florence, Italy. Guests have a choice of bathing in Prosecco, Asti Spumante or Champagne. In addition, bathers are served glasses of whatever’s in the tub, providing a more or less “whole body” experience. The ultimate cost of the bubble bath is dependent on the type of bubbly selected.
Number of millions of cases of wine that the U.S. now exports to Canada (#1 export market), China (#4), and Mexico (#6). Thanks to the new retaliatory tariffs imposed by China in response to the tariffs President Trump leveled, plus the possible unraveling of NAFTA (Mr. Trump again), 12 million is also the number of cases of wine that may now remain here with the hope that they can be sold in the U.S.
Number of fortune cookies Jay McInerney has been commissioned to write by Hakkasan, the luxury Chinese restaurant chain, according to The New Yorker. McInerney’s new gig (he’s normally a novelist and wine writer) suggests an until-now untapped field for wine writers wanting to branch out. The cookies will be produced by Wonton Foods which makes 5 million fortune cookies a day.
Number of wineries worldwide certified as biodynamic by Demeter, the official certifying body. Globally, there are now just over 20,000 acres of vines being grown biodynamically. More than half of those vines are in France. In the U.S., 45 producers are Demeter-certified for their biodynamically grown vines. California has the most biodynamic vineyards, closely followed by Oregon. The first ever International Biodynamic Conference in the U.S. will happen this May in San Francisco.
Percentage of total blood flow commandeered by the brain, even though the brain accounts for only 2% of body mass, according to the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at Oxford University. Cerebral blood flow is disproportionately large because the brain evolved in part to find food and drink. Delicious aromas are known to increase blood flow to the brain dramatically.
Number of full-service restaurants within Walt Disney Theme Parks and Resorts, including Victoria & Albert’s—Disney’s most luxe dining establishment. In addition to restaurants, Disney’s parks and resorts also boast nearly 500 bars and other venues where tired parents can have a glass of wine if (when?) It’s a Small World begins to get a little grating.
Percentage of adults over 21 who say that when drinking alcohol, hard cider is their first choice among adult beverages, according to the Nielsen Company. In the last few years, artisanal hard cider in particular has become increasingly popular. As for other alcoholic beverages, beer is the first choice among 39% of adults; wine is named as the first choice by 29% of adults; and spirits are the go-to for 27% of adults.
Number (in billions) of jelly beans consumed on Easter, according to CandyStore.com. In a recently released survey, candystore.com also reveals that nationally, the #1 favorite jelly bean flavor is now Buttered Popcorn (edging out #2 Black Licorice). Buttered Popcorn jelly beans are also #1 in California where (just coincidentally) there are 94,500 acres of chardonnay.