Text 29487, 97 rader
Skriven 2009-10-04 09:57:00 av MICHAEL LOO (1:123/140)
Ärende: tastes chez Dave 229
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A riot of tastes chez Clean Dave.

I. Cape Cod potato chips - having become a famous blogger,
Dave periodically gets cool stuff to review, among which a
case of potato chips from one of the premier chipperies in
the country. I know and love the regular variety, one of
the first kettle-cooked thick tasty offerings in the market;
I enjoy the Russets and even the 40% reduced fat versions,
but of the flavoreds I have been blissfully ignorant; this
day, the opportunity being present, I tried three -

Sea salt and cracked pepper had an odd acidy taste that
interfered with the pepper and salt; why it wasn't called
vinegar and pepper I don't know.

Sweet mesquite bbq was pretty much like any bbq chip, neither
awful nor nice; and it was sweet as labeled.

Cheddar jack and sour cream was convincingly dairy both in
taste and effect. I would have preferred a more distinct
cheesiness, though.

The chips are pretty good, still, but the flavorings are
not superior to those of other brands. 

II. TenWow iDuck Series. These are little snack packets that
are said to be extremely popular in China. Dave gave me samples
of two varieties:

Smoked duck tongues were quite good in a duck tonguey way: if
you haven't encountered this organ before, you'll be surprised
by its boniness - quite unlike the chunky fat meatiness of most
species of tongue that I am familiar with. Also, the product
was badly trimmed - when you get duck tongues in the restaurants,
some of the fine bony things have been removed for your convenience.

Smoked duck webs disappointed only in that there was only one
in the package. Duck web is a bony affair whose edible component
is a mess of gristle and skin. This might not be for everyone,
but I like it.

In both cases, there was a slight plastickiness and a whiff of
five-spice. The smoke was nicely done, and the snacks weren't
too too salty. I'd eat them again.


III. A tasting of birch beers. Dave said he'd been meaning
to do this for a long time, spurred by Hosmer Mountain's
offering two different varieties.

Sioux City red (White Rock) was somehow flat in flavor and
very very sweet. I really wanted more of that tongue-tingling
wintergreeny zing; instead, this seemed like vaguely flavored
sugar water.

The Hosmer Mountain white (with a plain label) was respectable
but way too sweet; the Hosmer Mountain white (in the fancy label)
was surprisingly different, zingier, less cloying. Good birch
flavors in both, but the plain label seemed a little muted and,
well, plain.

IIIa. Birch beers I've recently had in Williamsport (not, i.e.,
comparison tasted here)

Kutztown white - snappy flavor, very nice. Annie was thrilled
when we saw this at an Amish market. I'd say it's the gold
standard of birch beer. Tasted two trips ago.

Frozen Run Black Bear Mountain white - a bit of a disappointment,
one-dimensional, not too flavorsome despite a strong wintergreen
nose. Contains artificial flavorings. Tasted this last trip.

IV. Blue soft drinks
Busta blueberry soda - a huge disappointment: the stuff
looked and tasted like Dawn dish detergent. Predominant
floral/soapy flavor, no berry presence.

Sioux City Berry Blue - your average bright acidy fake
raspberry flavor, quite sweet. A touch of soapiness, but
nowhere near so bizarrely so as with the Busta.

V. Miscellaneous soft drinks

Hosmer Mountain Cola Red - tasted to me like RC. This is not
a bad thing.

Hosmer Mountain black cherry - a convincing cherriness, but
not black cherriness. This disappointed by virtue of its
lack of uniqueness.

Sioux City sarsaparilla - again too sweet and a bit wimpy.
Probably close to indistinguishable from the birch beer, but
we didn't try them against each other.

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