Discovery Series – New Orleans
I can’t believe it has been a year since I reviewed the ornament from the Big Easy. It is time to take a look at the design of the Discovery Series New Orleans mug.
New Orleans’ history stretches back to 1718 when French colonists founded the city along a strategic bend in the Mississippi River. The city passed through French, Spanish, and French hands again before the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 brought it into the United States. This multicultural heritage created a unique Creole culture that blends French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American influences. New Orleans became a major port city and cultural hub, surviving wars, fires, floods, and hurricanes while maintaining its distinctive character and joie de vivre.
– The iconic streetcar depicted on the mug represents one of New Orleans’ most beloved and historic forms of transportation. The famous St. Charles Avenue streetcar line, established in 1835, is one of the oldest continuously operating streetcar lines in the world. These rolling landmarks offer visitors a charming way to explore the city’s historic neighbourhoods while experiencing a piece of living history.
– The majestic St. Louis Cathedral shown on the mug is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States. Dating back to 1727 with its current structure completed in 1850, this iconic white church dominates Jackson Square in the French Quarter. The cathedral’s triple steeples and Spanish Colonial architecture make it one of the most photographed landmarks in New Orleans.
– The colourful buildings with wrought-iron balconies represent the French Quarter’s distinctive architectural character. These historic structures feature ornate cast-iron and wrought-iron railings adorned with intricate designs, creating the iconic galleries that overlook bustling streets below. The vibrant facades and romantic balconies define the visual identity of America’s most European city.
– The jazz trumpet and musical notes celebrate New Orleans as the birthplace of jazz and America’s most musical city. Born in the early 20th century from a fusion of African, Caribbean, and European musical traditions, jazz revolutionized American music. Live music still fills the streets, clubs, and concert halls every night, maintaining New Orleans’ reputation as a living museum of musical innovation.
– The Mardi Gras beads and masks represent the city’s world-famous Carnival celebration. Mardi Gras traditions date back to the city’s French colonial roots, evolving into elaborate parades with costumed riders throwing beads, doubloons, and trinkets to crowds. This annual celebration showcases New Orleans’ unparalleled ability to throw a party while preserving centuries-old traditions.
– The riverboat steamer illustrated on the mug honours New Orleans’ heritage as a Mississippi River port city. Historic paddlewheel steamboats once dominated river commerce and now offer tourists scenic cruises with dinner, jazz, and views of the mighty Mississippi. These vessels symbolize the city’s connection to the great river that shaped its destiny and commerce.
Local dishes to try when in New Orleans:
– The po’boy sandwich illustration celebrates one of New Orleans’ most famous culinary contributions to American food culture. This overstuffed sandwich, typically served on crispy French bread and filled with fried seafood or roast beef, originated during a 1929 streetcar strike. The po’boy has become a staple of local cuisine, with countless variations served at restaurants and corner shops throughout the city.
– Gumbo represents the ultimate expression of New Orleans’ multicultural culinary heritage in a single bowl. This hearty stew combines West African okra, French roux, Native American filé powder, and Spanish spices with seafood, chicken, or sausage served over rice. Each family has their own secret recipe, making gumbo both a unifying cultural symbol and a subject of friendly culinary debate throughout the city.
– Beignets are the quintessential New Orleans breakfast treat and a must-try for every visitor to the French Quarter. These square pillows of fried dough, buried under mountains of powdered sugar, are best enjoyed fresh and hot at Café Du Monde, which has been serving them since 1862. The simple pleasure of beignets with chicory coffee captures the city’s French heritage and its dedication to life’s sweet indulgences.
