Tuesday, 10th June 2003
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.
Comments
you are aware of mars ice-cream bars, aren't you? ;)
I'm disturbed that the water had *bits* in. I mean, generally teabags are designed to facilitate easy removal of the bits. Or do you mean minor grittiness? :-)
oh my goodness.
you dont like tea!?!
i got a bank statement in the mail today
over the past month i spent something like $50 on tea. theres 6 cups in a $5 pot, so 60 cups of tea. and thats only the tea that i paid for!
im willing to believe that you simply haven't tasted good tea; you probably had some fancy shmancy Earl Gray or English Breakfast or some nonsense. No! go to a tea house and ask them for Gumboot Tea. They will know what you are talking about. and have it weak, with just enough sugar to combat the after-taste.
i think there's still hope.
ps. in NZ it is common for deep-fried Mars to be on the menu at Fish and Chip shops.
i'm a great fan of tea. for an expert guide to making the perfect cup, follow some or all of george orwell's recommendations.
earl grey contains extract of bergamot, which some people say has anti-depressant properties. see, there are all kinds of pluses to having a nice cuppa!
Teabag?
Mug?
Five seconds?
= Water
Mars ice cream bars are not the same! Plus I don't like biting into ice cream.. it's too cold and my gums don't appreciate it.
It was pretty watery, but then my mum decided to try making me a cup (since she rightly assumed that I'd made a dreadful cuppa) and the aftertaste didn't seem that much stronger than my attempt. It definitely was better though, particularly since I drank it when it was hot rather than just warm :)
Maybe I will try it with sugar, Richard, thanks for the suggestion :)
Sugar?!
:-p
Three things:
1\ Tea is disgusting
2\ My mother used to work for a company that had things to do with tea, coffee etc. she tells me that the tea proper, official tea tasters refuse to go anywhere near Earl Grey tea. Also, at the company they had strict health warnings about contact with the oil of bergamot that was in it, so personally, I would avoid that one.
3\ I should really be revising!
Clair
oh simon,
just the slightest hint
the slightest hint of sugar.
when will they ever learn?
I recommend fairtrade organic assam tea, with just a pinch of sugar.
(And Mars bars, frozen or otherwise, ain't got nuthin on a Moro).
You don't freeze Mars Bars (or any other chocolate bar for that matter) you chill them in the fridge! Mars probably gains the most from being served cold though.
Oh yes you do!
Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised... but, er, don't break your teeth on them :)
Thanks to dvd for the George Orwell link - I agree with everything he says except that nowadays it's best to use skimmed milk rather than pouring the cream off the milk" (eeek!)
I do hope you try tea again, following Orwell's instructions (maybe less strong though - I would suggest 2 heaped teaspoons to a medium sized pot?)
Let us know how you get on. It really is the most refreshing drink on a hot day.
Disclaimer: I am a tea addict...
:-))
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