Gastronomic experiments

I don't drink tea or coffee. Never have done, never tried as far as I can remember. Until this morning, when out of curiosity I tried making a cup of tea to taste.

Knowing that I don't like very strong tastes, I let the teabag come into contact with the boiling water for about five seconds before removing it and adding a reasonable amount of milk. Knowing also that even shop-bought hot chocolate tends to be rather too hot for me and that attempting to drink any within the first five minutes will result in a burn on my tongue for two or three days, I decided to let my cup of tea cool off a little before trying it. About fifteen minutes later, when the outside of the mug felt a reasonable temperature, I took a mouthful and discovered why people prefer to drink tea when it's actually hot.

What made it worse was the two-stage Tea Taste Sensation - at first you basically have a mouthful of water - all right, water with bits in - which you swallow, and then the aftertaste comes surging forwards to the roof of your mouth. Mm, tannin.

I'm fully prepared to believe that my seldom-used tea-making skills just aren't up to scratch (and after reading the last few paragraphs, I'd be surprised if anyone doesn't think that), but I have to say that as a first-time tea user I am not convinced so far.

However, in my recent food experimentation (first inspired by the heatwave we had ten days ago) I can confirm that a far superior way to serve Mars bars is straight from the freezer. They're much more fun to eat when every bite is a hard-won battle between the Bar and your teeth. Oh, and the caramel's tastier too, since it's more like toffe at that temperature. All in all, you have a much greater sense of achievement when the Mars bar you've just eaten was frozen. Thoroughly recommended.

Note: I wonder if Mars is pleased that a Google for "Mars bars" yields as its number one result a recipe for deep-fried Mars bars? Mars itself, the company website, is #2. Hah.