Discovery Series – Saskatchewan

In addition to the symbols of the province featured on the ornament, the design of the Discovery Series – Saskatchewan seems to include a few others. However, I’m not entirely sure that the bird and flower depicted are actually Saskatchewan’s official provincial symbols. For instance, the yellow flowers look nothing like the province’s floral emblem, the Western Red Lily (Lilium philadelphicum). The same goes for the bird – it doesn’t resemble the Sharp-Tailed Grouse. Nonetheless, here is some information about these elements:

– The Western Red Lily, also known as the prairie lily, is Saskatchewan’s official provincial flower.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Saskatchewan

How about a tiny Discovery Series Ornament – Saskatchewan for a Canadian province whose history is deeply rooted in the land and the people who have shaped it for thousands of years. Long before it became a province in 1905, Indigenous nations such as the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, and Nakota thrived across the plains, developing rich cultures and deep connections to the land. The arrival of European fur traders in the 18th century brought dramatic change, as Saskatchewan became a key part of the fur trade network.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Ontario

I feel like the designers of the Discovery Series Ornament – Ontario made an oversight by using a picture of poutine for this mini mug. While poutine is enjoyed across Canada, it is a dish that originates from Quebec, has strong cultural ties to Quebecois heritage, and is a proud part of their culinary tradition.

The forest, the islands on the front, and the moose on the back of the ornament remind us that Ontario is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with a diverse landscape of lush forests, serene lakes, and rugged wilderness.… Read more

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Discovery Series – Québec

The Discovery Series Québec mug is following the release of the ornament that we saw earlier. Some of the design elements are common; I invite you to read my previous post here. One small but interesting feature is the addition of the plate to the front of the snowmobile that says “QUÉBEC”. I love this little detail on the mug.

Here are some extra design elements added to the mug, when compared to the ornament:

Crepes are popular in Québec and particularly in Québec City, where they are celebrated as part of the region’s French culinary heritage.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Québec

Starbucks is going big with the releases for its new collection. I realized that when I saw them revealing some locations that never received their own mug or ornament. The brand-new Discovery Series Ornament – Québec is a perfect example of that since none of the Canadian provinces and territories had an ornament until now. I believe this is a sign that the Discovery Collection will be huge.

Québec is a predominantly French-speaking province, and this is why we’re seeing the title using the French spelling.… Read more

Been There – Cavite

Starbucks Been There – Cavite is a mug for a province on the southern shores of Manila Bay, Philippines. It is considered “Historical Capital of the Philippines” and one of the most industrialized and fastest-growing provinces in the country.
These are some points of interest to visit:
– Fort San Felipe is a military fortress built by Spanish military in 1609 for the protection of the city. Less than half of the original historic structure survived through years
– Naval Station Sangley Point was a communication and hospital facility of the United States Navy
– The Emilio F.… Read more

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Been There – Batangas

I am not exactly sure, whether Starbucks Been There – Batangas is a mug for Batangas province or the city of Batangas. Either way, here are some points of interest worth visiting/knowing about:
– Snorkeling/diving (1), Tilapia Fish (3), Tawilis (6) – a popular activity in this region, thanks to the clear and calm waters that host colorful species of fish, wildlife and corals. That is pretty much all you need for an amazing snorkeling experience.
– Lambanóg (2) is a traditional Filipino distilled palm liquor made from coconut or nipa palm sap
– Taal Volcano (4) is located in the middle of the Taal Lake just 40 miles from Manila and poses a real danger since it’s the second most active volcano in the Philippines.… Read more

Been There – Pampanga

Starbucks Been There – Pampanga is a mug for a province on the northern shore of Manila Bay. Pampanga is rightfully considered as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. Kapampangan cuisine is known for having exotic dishes such as Crispy Camaru (fried crickets) or Betute (stuffed frog) but if you’re just at the beginning of your food journey, there are other amazing dishes you can start with:
– Morcon (Stuffed Meat Loaf) – made from pork with the sausage and boiled egg inside
– Sisig – is made mostly from pig’s head.… Read more

Been There – Iloilo

Starbucks Been There – Iloilo is a mug for a province in the Philippines.
Local food to try:
– Iloilo (La Paz) Batchoy – the pork noodle soup which is prepared with pork offal and topped with crushed chicharron, pork cracklings that found its way into the local cuisine via Spain. Chicken stock and beef loin could also be added.
– Pancit Molo is a soup with wontons that are stuffed with ground pork and shrimp. A very important ingredient is roasted garlic used for garnish which makes this soup something special.… Read more

Been There – Calgary 2

Starbucks Been There – Calgary v2 is another updated Canadian mug design, which again includes a minor change. Very similar to the BC mug I’ve reviewed last week, it has an apostrophe added to the landmark’s name: “ST. PATRICKS ISLAND” becomes “ST. PATRICK’S ISLAND”. It’s one of Calgary’s oldest parks, which invites visitors to enjoy family-friendly space since 1890. Btw, it’s even got National Urban Design Award in 2016.
The photo is provided by a reader of this blog.

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