Glossary of terms

Csabai sausage is a traditional Hungarian dried sausage originating from the town of Bekescsaba in southeastern Hungary. It features a distinctively spicy flavor thanks to generous amounts of ground paprika, which gives it its characteristic red color.

Cucumber is the fruit of a plant from the gourd family, originating in southern Asia. It is one of the most widely grown vegetables in the world, prized for its refreshing taste and high water content. Two main types are distinguished: slicing cucumbers with a longer shape and smoother skin, and pickling cucumbers that are smaller with bumpy skin. Cucumbers are eaten fresh in salads, sandwiches, and cold soups.

Cumin is an aromatic spice originating from the Middle East and Mediterranean. The seeds have a distinctive warm, slightly earthy, and mildly bitter flavor that differs from caraway. It is one of the most widely used spices in the world and forms the base of many spice blends such as garam masala, chili con carne, and ras el hanout. It is used whole or ground in curries, stews, marinades, and dishes from Indian, Mexican, and Arab cuisines.

A cupcake is a small individual cake baked in a paper liner and topped with creamy frosting. It originates from 19th century America, where the name referred to measuring ingredients by the cup. Cupcakes have become a modern bakery phenomenon offering endless flavor possibilities.

Curacao is an orange liqueur originating from the Caribbean island of Curacao. It is made from the peel of bitter oranges of the laraha variety, which went wild on the island from imported Valencian oranges. The liqueur comes in several color variants, the most famous is Blue Curacao.

Curly parsley is a herb with distinctive curled leaves and a milder flavour than the flat-leaf variety. It has traditionally been used as a garnish thanks to its decorative appearance, but it is also a full culinary ingredient. In the kitchen, it is added to salads, sauces, spreads, and as a garnish for grilled dishes. Curly parsley contains vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and antioxidants. Its leaves are firmer and hold up better during cooking than flat-leaf parsley.

Currants are small berries from shrubs of the genus Ribes, cultivated in red, black, and white varieties. They are notable for their high vitamin C, antioxidant, and pectin content. Red currants have a refreshing tart flavor, black currants are more aromatic and sweeter.

Curry paste is a concentrated blend of fresh spices, herbs, and other ingredients ground into a thick paste. Unlike dry curry powder, it contains fresh components such as galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shallots, and chili peppers. The most well-known varieties come from Thai cuisine, which distinguishes green, red, and yellow curry paste based on the chili peppers used. Curry paste serves as the foundation for sauces with coconut milk, soups, and wok dishes.

Curry powder is an aromatic blend of ground spices that was developed as a simplified version of Indian spices for the Western market. It typically contains turmeric, coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and chili. The blend's color is usually yellow due to its high turmeric content. Curry powder is used to season sauces, soups, rice dishes, and meats. It comes in many variants ranging from mild to very hot. In Indian cuisine, ready-made blends are not commonly used, as spices are mixed directly during cooking.

Currywurst is a Berlin street food consisting of sliced grilled sausage doused in a tomato-curry sauce and sprinkled with curry powder, served with fries.

Czech open sandwich, known as chlebíček, is a traditional cold appetiser consisting of a slice of white bread spread with butter or potato salad and garnished with ham, salami, egg, gherkin, and cheese. These sandwiches are essential at Czech celebrations, receptions, and corporate events. They are prepared in delicatessens and at home. A symbol of Czech gastronomic culture and hospitality.

Czech yeast pancakes, known as livance, are traditional small fluffy pancakes fried in a pan. The batter is made from flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and yeast or baking powder, which makes them puffier than regular crepes. They are fried on a lightly greased pan until golden on both sides. Served hot, spread with jam or plum butter, dusted with powdered sugar, and topped with whipped cream. They are among the most popular Czech desserts and make a perfect snack or sweet main course.