Humans vs foodies

E

evan

Well-known member
Have you ever wondered if we are a different species than the rest of the human population? I have a friend that I hang out with often, and even though she likes to eat, she just doesn't *get* it.

Like the other day, I was reading a post somewhere that said something like, "It's getting colder - it's time for cheese fondue", and she was all like "huh???".

And I said, it's getting colder, you know - thinking that would be enough but she just looked blank and replied, "wouldn't it be better with hot soup?".

Uhm....no! smileys/bigsmile.gif

And later I showed her my new Le Cruiset cast iron casserole and she said "you already have a few casseroles" and I said "but this is a sturdy one, one I can place in the oven and let things steam for hours to get out the flavors" and she said, "can't you just add some more spice?".

Gotta lover her tho........she always brings wine smileys/bigsmile.gif

 
In all seriousness, many people just don't taste what we taste when we gobble up...

...a mouthful of something wonderful. Remember the whole theory about "tasters, non-tasters and super-tasters"? I would bet 90% of foodies are "tasters" and "super-tasters".

My Dad was probably a "non-taster". He just couldn't figure out why people got "all worked up over food. I eat to live, you live to eat", he would say.

Mom was another story entirely. She was one of us. She loved good food and would give anything a try.

Michael

 
Sense of smell...

I know "taste" is really the ability to detect salty, sweet, sour, and bitter, but "flavor" is a whole different thing and is related to the sense of smell. Maybe the people that don't get it, don't have a very good sense of smell. About 25% of the population don't, for various reasons.

By the way, I did get your PM but was unable to reply. Yesterday I could, once, but then when I tried to send another, I couldn't.

Just posting here as it is the only way to communicate with you :eek:) 'Off to a bake sale because as hard as I try, I'm just not a good baker and it's so much easier to buy a pie today ;o)

 
There's more to being a foodie than "taste" . . .

While I agree with the above, what confounds me are people who 'pretend' to be "foodies" but are really "assemblers." Sure, they appreciate good food, obsess about it, but assemble, rather than doing the cooking and preparation.

For me, it's all about the preparation. I may not really be a foodie because I tend to enjoy the process of preparation far more than even eating the finished product. I love the selection, the shopping, the chopping, dicing, and cooking. There are many times where I will cook all day, then put everything in the refrigerator for the next couple of days, having satisfied my cooking obsession/craving.

But then, again, when I'm working too hard, am stressed, and have no time to cook, I come home and chop carrots. SIGH.

 
I'm with you magnolia, (except for the shopping, which I hate) I love the process...

working with my hands, making the transformation form raw ingredients to a finished dish. I also love long slow cooking like making stock or boiling beans that requires planning ahead. Even some foodies think I'm crazy there because they're used to firing everything off at the last minute.

 
I definitely agree. A foodie friend and I are currently debating whether there is more pleasure in

the creation or the eating. I think both of us are leaning toward the prep. Perhaps they are two different realms of enjoyment, one the creative pleasure and the other the indulgent.

But when we consume what others have created, there is no less enjoyment than if we had prepared it ourselves. But can't we forgive ourselves for dissecting and being critical of the food we eat?

And then there's the question: Is it okay to be critical of the food we have prepared ourselves? Our guests scorn if we have any negative comments about what we create ourselves but I am always reluctant to swoon publicly over something I've made myself. Can't we be equally critical in both directions, regardless of who made it?

I think what I'm learning is that I just have to hold my comments on my own food, at least until the end of the meal.

 
I like searching for recipes & planning 10x more than actually doing.

Oh the dinner parties I've planned on paper! Only a small margin of them ever materialize....

 
I like the planning too.

I start weeks ahead whenever possible. For certain events, ie. our Kentucky Derby party, I am always planning. Whenever I see an appetizer recipe that looks good or a recipe for something that fits the theme, I test it.

 
Lol and yes...agreed...and it all gives me pleasure to eat and prep and eat my own and others food.

that they have enjoyed prepping... no matter how elaborate/or not.
What annoys me is.."We should just stop off some where cheap and get a bite, 'cause we need sustenance" and then they suggest subway or something equally as horrid ... a beautiful avocado from the street vender carefully prepped and a good squeeze of lemon - at home beats a huge subway or pizza hut anyday!!

 
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