Papua New Guinea - Cooking Method 2013

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 06 November 2013
Stamp Size: 40mm x 30mmSOUVENIR
Sheet Size: 86mm x 116mm
SHEETLET SIZE86mm x 116mm
Denomination: K1.30, K1.30, K6.00 & K8.70
Sheet Content: S25 stamps
Format: Horizontal
Perforation: 2mm
Colours: 4 colour Process
Paper: Tullis Russel Non Phosphor
Gum: Unwatered mark, PVA Gummed
Printing Technique: Multicolour Offset, Lithography
Designer: Yang Yansom - Post PNG Philatelic Production
Printer: Henan Post Printer - China

Papua New Guinea Cooking Methods

Post PNG, in its effort to continually promote traditional methods, has released another stamp issue featuring cooking methods in Papua New Guinea. Cooking Methods, as featured are just a few of the many used. Their applications vary from area to area.

In this issue, featured on the four postage stamp sets are four different methods of cooking; boiling of food over open fire in clay pot, drying or smoking of fish on a raised bed of about a meter over open fire, drying of fish inside a clay jar with holes at side of the jar and roasting of food over very hot embers of an open fire.

In rural Papua New Guinea, majority in the very remote areas prefer the traditional methods to cook their food. Most cook over an open fire.

Food is either wrapped in leaves or placed directly into the fire. In some areas the food is cooked in clay pots or green bamboo placed in the fire.

Stamp Sets:
K1.30 – Food boiling in clay pot
K1.30 – Fish drying on platform
K6.00 – Fish drying in a clay jar
K8.70 – Corn roasting over the fire

Sheetlet:
K1.30 – Dugged mumu pit
K1.30 – Stones been heated
K6.00 – Food placed in mumu pit
K8.70 – Covered mumu with fire on top

Souvenir Sheet:
K10.00 – Aigir, hot stones steaming in pot

Vanuatu - Vanuatu Cocktails 2014

Technical Details:
Issued : 05 August 2014
Designer: Denise Durkin, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Process: Offset Litho
Stamp Size: 41.00mm x 32.00mm 4 x vertical
Perforation: Gauge Die-cut only.
Paper: 210gsm Avery Dennison B90 Kraft Back Adhesive
Denominations: 70, 100, 180 and 250 vatu

Vanuatu Cocktails - Cocktails in Paradise

Your plane has landed, you have checked in to one of the stunning resorts – time to let the holiday begin! The white sand of the beautiful beaches or the turquoise pool beckons. The warmth of the sun is only surpassed by the cocktail you have ordered. This work of art tastes as good as it looks. 

Vanuatu is a land of diversity and amazing contrasting beauty – from clear coral seas and picturesque islands to rain forests and fiery volcanoes, the scenery of Vanuatu defies description. Picture the gentle swaying coconut palms framing the stunning sunsets. Imagine the rugged forests of the interior trying to hide the immense cascading waterfalls. Dream of the flora and fauna panoramas with colourful birds and flowers matching another world of tropical fish and coral underwater.

You have come for the clear blue water, the swaying palm trees, the friendly people, the astonishing scenery so toast the beginning of your holiday in Vanuatu ! Your stunning cocktail and beautiful Vanuatu. A taste of Paradise.

Vanuatu - Vanuatu Fine Cuisine 2015

Technical Details:
Issued : 11 November 2015
Designer Denise Durkin, Wellington, New ZealandPrinter: Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Process: Offset Litho
Stamp Size: 50.00 mm x 25.00 mm vertical
Perforation Gauge: 14.00 x 14.40
Paper: 103gsm Tullis Russell Yellow/Green phosphor paper.
Denominations: 120 vatu x 4

Vanuatu’s restaurants have risen in stature to rightfully claim the reputation as the culinary capital of the Pacific. The showcasing of Vanuatu’s unique local organic produce, especially magnificent beef, indigenous fruit and vegetables and local seafood has seen tourism boom with many seeking a “gastronomic adventure”.

The gourmet dining cuisine set in beautiful open-air restaurants with al fresco dining overlooking Vanuatu’s stunning scenery has developed from a focus on excellence and help from the Vanuatu Chefs Association who encourage the employment of local staff. This direction led to an international judge in a recent hospitality competition describing his sentiments towards the competing Chefs as:

“I’m in awe of the creativity they are displaying within their culture and how all of them made dishes that are recognisably ni-Vanuatu. Chefs often feel they have to add something from outside. All the dishes told a story, with great counterpoints, contrasts, textures and flavours.” Featuring organic beef, lobster, deep sea poulet, crab, shellfish and unique Vanuatu pizza are all contributing to this highly respected international reputation. This distinctive cuisine, complemented by international wines, has made dining in Port Vila and surrounding area a must for any visitor. Eratap, Francesca’s, The Havannah and L’Houstalet are excellent examples of this fine cuisine and Vanuatu Post is proud to recognise them in this stamp issue.

Hospitality plays a major role within Vanuatu tourism and fine restaurant dining plays a key part in making this hospitality second-to-none in the South Pacific. This claim is proven when visitors participate in the many truly memorable dining experiences on offer.

Acknowledgment: The valuable assistance provided by the four restaurants - Eratap, Francesca's, The Havannah and L'Houstalet.

Bosnia & Herzegovina - World Food Day 2015

Technical Details
Issue Date: 16 October 2015
Designer: Siniša Skenderija
Printer: Zrinski d.d. Čakovec
Size: 35.50 x 29.82 mm
Values: 0.90 BAM

About World Food Day

This postage stamp celebrates a day which was established by member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1979. The theme of World Food Day for the year 2015 is „Social protection and agriculture: breaking the cycle of rural poverty“ in order to emphasize the importance of measures that are being taken with the goal of reducing rural poverty and creating an approach to food and resources for buying food.

Researches show that a small number of countries through history has experienced a rapid economical development and poverty reduction, and that there has not preceded an agriculture development. Agriculture is not only an economic activity. It is a way of life, coexistence with nature, heritage of our ancestors and a cultural distinction. Its non-material contribution is immeasurable in preserving ecological bio-diversity, managing water resources and protecting habitation, landscapes and the earth.The most essential role of agriculture is solving the world famine problem, most commonly in rural areas. And the only way of solving this problem is that inhabitants of rural areas produce enough of their own food or that they have enough money to buy that food. That is why support is necessary at all levels, in order to encourage economic and technical cooperation in between non-developed countries and developing countries. It is especially necessary to stimulate participation of rural women in activities that affect their everyday life activities. (Željka Šaravanja)

Romania - Live healthy! Bible Food 2016

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 24 November 2016
Designer: Mihail Vamasescu
Process: Offset
Colours: 4
Size:Stamps size: 48 x 33 mm, 
Minisheet Size: 110 x 120 mm
Values: 1.60 Lei; 4.50 Lei; 8 Lei; 15 Lei

About Live healthy! Bible Food I

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” Genesis 1:29

The Bible gives us plenty of information about healthy foods and nutrition rules. These simple and seemingly modest foods can provide complete food, underlie a healthy diet, and are subject to the "Live Alive!" Postage stamps issue.

Since the tendency to return to nature and, more generally, to natural products, has been undergone in recent years, it is also necessary to adopt a diet that provides complete food for the maintenance of the body's energy, without leading to the weakness of body and soul.

God, addressing the chosen people, says to him, "The Lord your God will take you to a land where he is: wheat, barley, vine, figs and pomegranates; [...] where are the olive trees ... "Deuteronomy 8: 7-9

The use of grain from ancient times is also mentioned in the Bible. In ancient beliefs, the bread had the attribute of a living being, sometimes being even considered the embodiment of God.

Wheat, flour, dough, and bread are loaded with meanings and symbols as old as they are today, being, as the case may be, a sign of joy and abundance. In Biblical times the bread was made of wheat flour or barley. Both grains, rich in vitamins, in pulp and fiber, are symbols of life and rebirth, and are essential and primordial food for both humans and animals.

The fig tree is mentioned several times in the New Testament, but also in the Old Testament. The biblical references to the fig are symbolic and subject to many interpretations.

The Bible attests the value of the nutritional food of the figs, but also of the medical remedy. They can be eaten both fresh and dried and contain a very high level of potassium.

Since ancient times, pomegranate has been used for medicinal purposes because of its amazing properties. Parenthood was and is considered a symbol of health, fertility and eternal life.

Rich in antioxidants, these fruits, which have been attributed to curative qualities since antiquity, help to improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system. Pomegranates are used as an ingredient for beverages or dishes in many countries, and pomegranate flowers are used in traditional medicine for their astringent effect.

People around the world, the vine is a symbol of life, health, and especially of joy. In the Bible, we come across many references to vine and wine, all of which have deep meanings, loaded with symbols.

In Christian worship, grape wine, transformed into the Divine Liturgy, into the Blood of Christ represents the source of life.

Wine, alongside bread, honey and oil, is considered a basic food, a symbol of wealth. 

Besides the very good taste, grapes are wonderful foods for the body. Vitamins and minerals make grapes an option that is beneficial to health and therefore it is advisable to consume them as often as possible.

Olive is considered to be the "everlasting tree", being a tree of extraordinary life, with an amazing regenerative power, remaining a symbol of peace, wisdom and purity over time. 

Considered some of the most nutritious fruits, olives are also true medicines. Olive, green, fleshy berries, which become black-purple when ripe, contain little carbohydrate, being an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids. That's why they can be a delicious and delicious snack, but they can also be used as ingredients for different meals. 

Since olive oil produces a rich and viscous oil that can be burned in lamps for religious rituals, the olive was considered sacred. Used daily in the diet, olive oil reduces the risk of heart disease and is also recommended in slimming belts. 

Romfilatelia thanks the Episcopate of Alexandria and Teleorman and Mr. photographer George Avanu for his support in the realization of this postage stamp issue.

Belgium - Belgian Beer Culture 2018

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 29 January 2018
Colours: 4 Colours
Layout: Leen De Pooter
Format of the Stamps: 40mm x 30mm, 40mm x 50mm
Size of the Leaf: 186mm x 152mm
Classification of the Leaf: 5 stamps
Paper: Gummed white FSC
Perforations: 11 1/2
Printing Process: Offset
Repro and Printing: Bpost Philately & Stamps Printing
Values: € 7,60

About Belgian Beer Culture
Evocation of beer : foam and bubbles

At the end of 2016, beer culture in Belgium was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by Unesco. The unparalleled diversity of the brewing art and the intensity of the beer culture make it one of the identity and heritage of Belgium.

Slovenia - 110th Anniversary of Donat Mg Natural Mineral Water 2018

Technical Details: 
Issue Date: 25 May 2018
Designer: Ariana Noršić
Printer: Agencija za komercijalnu djelatnost d.o.o., Zagreb, Hrvaška / Croatia / Kroatien
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Size: 29.82 x 42.60 mm
Values: €0.48

110th ANNIVERSARY OF DONAT Mg NATURAL MINERAL WATER 

This year marks exactly 110 years since Dr Josef Knett, a hydrogeologist from Karlovy Vary, discovered a new source of highly mineralised water in the spa park at Rogaška Slatina, while searching for new springs of natural mineral water. It was given the name Donat after the nearby Donačka Gora ("Mount Donatus"). 

The importance of the springs here is also apparent from the fact that one of them appeared in as early as the twelfth century, more precisely in 1141, and was described as a boundary marker in a deed on the transfer of estates. 

Natural mineral water is part of our natural heritage and also has a special legally defined status. Among the just over 2,000 recognised types of natural mineral water in the European Union, Donat Mg has the largest quantity of dissolved mineral substances (13 g/L) and the highest magnesium content (1 g/L). Precisely because of the unique qualities of Donat Mg, Rogaška is the only spa in Slovenia – and indeed the wider central European region – specialising in the prevention, follow-up treatment and rehabilitation of disorders of the digestive system and metabolic disorders. 

The development of the spa has also affected other sectors of the economy. Over the years Rogaška Slatina has become the largest and economically most developed settlement in the Sotla Valley, and an important municipality. Today Rogaška Slatina is known throughout Europe and Central Asia – thanks to Donat Mg natural mineral water, which Atlantic Grupa exports to almost every country in Europe. 

Aljaž Čoh

Ireland - The Food Island 2015

On the 16th of July 2015, An Post issued four stamps recognising the importance of Ireland’s Agri-Food industry.

The manufacture of food and drink products is very important to Ireland’s economy and is our main indigenous industry in terms of direct economic activity. The sector has a gross annual turnover of approximately €25 billion and directly employs over 45,000 people on a fulltime basis. Approximately 230,000 people, or one in eight jobs in the economy, are linked to agri food, when agriculture and ancillary employment is included.

The Agri-Food sector accounts for half of purchased Irish goods and services by the manufacturing industry and just over half of exports by indigenous manufacturing industries.

Ireland has a great reputation all around the world for the quality of its food production, processing and preparation. We export food and drink to 175 countries and in 2012 this value surpassed €9 billion for the first time. The target is €12bn by 2020 and this looks very probable, according to projections in the Food Harvest report.

Sustainability is the keyword and a major priority for producers as their key customers want to align themselves with sustainable supply chains. Origin Green, a national sustainability programme initiated by Bord Bia – The Irish Food Board - is designed to help Ireland to become a world leader in sustainably produced food.

These four stamps were designed by Zinc Design Consultants and highlight Ireland’s excellence in food production, processing and preparation. The two 70 cent stamps feature a beef farmer and a cheesemaker and their products while the €1.05 stamps depict a fisherman and a tillage farmer alongside their quality produce.

Indonesia - Indonesia Fruits 2017

1. Rambutan

2. Mangosteen

3. Kopyor Coconut

4. Red Durian