With eager stomachs, four adults (and a baby) entered Epcot on Monday ready for a good evening spent with friends and expecting delicious food. We were all relatively new to the Food & Wine festival, so we grabbed a few food passports to document where we would be stopping and got started on our journey!
The question was raised as we entered the World Showcase : “Which way do you walk around the different countries?” I had never thought about it. For me, I always start my travels in Canada, or counter-clockwise.
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We decided to journey around the World Showcase starting counter-clockwise. Feel free to follow our route and pick up what were some of our favorite drinks and treats, and be sure to share your opinions in the comment box below!
And so the journey around the world began….
Starting at the Cheese Studio, the Trio of Artisan Cheese was purchased. This included Karst Cave-aged Cheese served with honey, La Bonne Vie Goat Cheese served with Craisin Bread, and Rogue Creamery Oregon Blue Cheese with Berry-Port Compote.
Notable Drinks:
Hawai’i: The Maui Splash Sweet Pineapple Wine (pictured below with the Tuna Poke) is so refreshing on a warm Florida day. Served chilled, the pineapple taste has a perfect sweetness to balance the flavor of the wine.
Ireland: The Bunratty Meade Honey Wine must be why Pooh Bear loves his honey so much. This is for sure worth trying out and definitely not a drink to miss on your journey!
Belgium: If beer is more your thing, try the flight available at Belgium. Featuring Hoegaarden, Leffe Blonde, Palm Speciale Belge Amber Ale, and Stella Artois Cidre, this is the perfect flight to have a few different tastes, but that all compliment each other.
Japan: The Pineapple Fuzed Sake is another tasty treat! The flavor of the sake kicks in after you enjoy the flavor of the pineapple. This drink even had little pineapple chunks mixed in, giving the drink a delicious surprise.
Notable Foods:
Hawai’i: The Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise is definitely worth stopping at one of the first booths when you are making your journey around the world. This slider has the perfect sweet and salty balance. Also try out the Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Nori Strings. Hawai’i deserves to be at the top of everyone’s list for both food and wine!
Greece:
If you have a vegetarian or vegan in your group, try the Vegan Moussaka with Gardein Sausage Crumbles. Pictured below is the Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce, which is also another food item to not leave without!
Canada:
Two words: Truffle Butter. Well, and Filet Mignon. This “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce is something to be sure to stop and get. This item was purchased on our first trip around the world AND on the second trip!
Japan:
Japan is always going to have something tasty, whether it’s Food & Wine time, or any other time at Epcot. This is the Spicy Hand Roll, which features Tuna and Salmon with a Kazan Volcano Sauce. Yum!
Australia:
Another popular spot is Australia, which is located near the Odyssey Center. Pictured below is the Grilled Lamp Chop with Mint Pesto and Potato Crunchies. The mint pesto and potato crunchies are a perfect topping choice!
Notable Desserts:
Ireland:
Though not the best value around the world considering the small portion, the Warm Chocolate Pudding with Kerrygold Irish Cream Liquer Custard, is absolutely worth it. The chocolate is just rich enough with a creamy texture that blends well with the custard. Also pictured is the Bunratty Meade Honey Wine mentioned earlier.
Belgium:
Pictured below is the flight mentioned earlier with the Belgium Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream. This is definitely a value priced dessert considering the portion and how sweet the ganache is.
Italy:
The Cannoli al Cioccolato, which is a Chocolate-covered Cannoli filled with Sweet Ricotta, Chocolate, and Candied Fruit, has a perfect filling and hits the spot for any person wanting to satisfy that sweet tooth craving.
All in all, Epcot International Food & Wine is a fantastic outing with a group of friends and definitely worth the ticket price. You’ll experience many laughs and memories, but also have the chance to develop your palette by sampling authentic tastes from places all around the world.
Let us know if you and your friends and family decide to go participate in the festivities. Comment below with your favorite places to eat and drink!