China - of course! The world's highest population (1.3 billion people) and expected to double ever century, this 9.6 million square kilometre country, the world's second largest, has something to offer everyone.

Because of the size of this country as well as its many ethnic minority groups, food varies enormously throughout the country depending greatly on what can be grown and raised. Read m ore about Southern, Northern and Eastern Chinese food.

Although there are many restaurants and teahouses, street food is popular because of its speed and ease of eating. Every possible kind of bread, dumpling and hand-held snack can be found somewhere in this country.

One of the strangest communities is found in the far south where these houses, each home to dozens of families, were once suspected by the US to be weapons bases. Read more about them ...

Throughout the country, the market is of prime importance. As you travel through the country you will see everything from chilli markets to camel sales, melons stalls to massive spring onions such as these.

Coffee the world's best 'break-fluid' has become the mainstay for people through out the world.

From sunny beachside places to sleek inner city bar where the aim is to grab a jolt of caffeine and run, they meet different needs.

Regardless of the venue, the need is the same: to relax and recharge. From this beachy Sydney cafe (above) to the decadent macarons and pastries of Vienna (below) the birthplace of cafes as we know them, they are vital to modern life.

Coconuts:

The name comes from a Sanskrit word that means 'tree that sustains life' and indeed in countries where they grow, every part of the tree is used. There is a story that the Spanish explorers who discovered them, called them Coco-nuts, after Coco the Clown because of the humorous 'face' that the eyes in the coconut make. The biggest of all nuts, coconut is a source of both food and drink. Fresh coconuts contain a juice in the centre (not to be confused with the milk that may be extracted from the flesh) that is delicious on a hot day, as well as being sterile and a good source of vitamin C. To extract it simply knock holes through two of the three round 'eyes' at the base of the coconut and allow it to drain out. To further use the coconut, bake it whole in a hot oven for about 20 minutes, then crack it by hitting the shell with a heavy knife or small axe. The white meat may then be pried out and used in a number of ways:

- grated and added to vegetable dishes or baked goods, or toasted in the oven

- grated and dried or dry-roasted in the oven

- finely shaved to add to curries, salads or other dishes

- grated then covered with boiling water, then strained to produce coconut cream

- this pulp may be steeped in boiling water a second time, strained and squeezed through cheesecloth to produce coconut milk

- chunks of the coconut meat are good to eat as a snack.

Coconut water has become the latest health drink!

Because its electrolyte content is similar to human plasma, it has gained international acclaim as one of the only natural sports drink, as such it has proven superior to commercial sports drinks, unlike other beverages, it is completely compatible with the human body.

Coconut water's unique nutritional profile gives it the power to balance body chemistry, containing the essential nutrients that helps give more zest to life. Just one bottle of H2coco may help even the most dehydrated enjoy more health and energy. read more....