14. Oct, 2020

Today, the things I ate were Thomas Fudge's dark chocolate Florentines.

These are a little treat I buy from time to time. 

I choose friends on whether or not they like these babies. Also, if they say they prefer milk chocolate florentines, I'll never speak to them again.

Dark chocolate, almond slivers, a few bits of fruit (not too many), chewy caramel. It's not rocket science, these are delicious. The packaging is excellent, too. Big round of applause for Thomas Fudge and his florentines.

Oh, I looked em up. Thomas Fudge, was, apparently, a real human, who 'founded his remarkable bakery back in 1916'. Hey ho. The target market is those who 'simply don’t have time for mediocre'. Hmm, I definitely have time for mediocre. I mean, what is mediocre anyway? I don't have time for things that taste yuck, but give me a digestive and a cuppa tea and I'm happy. Anyway, just forget all that marketing nonsense and try these, because they taste good.

13. Jun, 2020

Today the stuff I ate was posh parma violets.

Official title of these rough-hewed little beauties is Pastiglie Leone - Violetta. They are Italian, of course. 

They taste like a sweet memory of chalky Parma Violets, but in a stubbly textured little dot of a bite. They're the perfect sweet to pop in the bottom of your bag or glove compartment, forget about, then be happily delighted when you come across them again, and have another little taste of violetty sweetness.

I got mine in a fancy and very lovely local farmshop. They were on the counter for something expensive like £2.50. And somehow they ended up being bought. Well, I bought them very deliberately is what happened. That putting sweets by the counter thing? Totally works.

I've just done the Google, and Pastiglie Leone has an online shop where a packet will set you back 2 euros... Though I also discovered that you can also get THREE KG of actual Parma Violets for £12.99 here 😲

Verdict: Yum yum, violet tongue
Score:   10/10
Would I buy it again? I intend to.

19. Sep, 2019

The stuff I ate this week was these excellent and juicy Pakistani mangoes.

I have a few things to say about them.

1. I still haven't figured out the best way to get at a mango. I tend to go for the hedgehog method: slice in half lengthways round that goddamn stone, skin on, crisscross the flesh with a knife avoiding slashing the skin/your hand, turn the half inside out so that the flesh sticks up like cuboid hedgehog spikes, slice these off into a bowl. It's quite a faff. I watched a vid of someone slicing round that goddamn stone using a glass - but it looked like witchcraft and not possible in the real world so I didn't try. All useful tips gratefully received.

2. These are the best, juiciest, sweetest orange mangoes I've ever had - even abroad.

3. I live in the Scottish countryside and pleasures like these are hard to come by - I can only find the dull, mostly hard, large expensive mangoes sold singly in supermarkets. This box of delights came with a cosmopolitan friend from the big city *Edinburgh*. She is lucky enough to have an exotic corner shop. Miss that stuff sometimes.

4. The stickers are cool and now on my fridge.

Verdict: Sweet, juicy, drippy, orange, fabulous. 
Score: 9/10 (minus 1 because of that goddamn stone) 
Would I eat them again: I would even drive an hour to the big city to get them. 

27. Jun, 2015

Today, the stuff I ate (drank) was a 330ml carton of Vita Coco Cafe Latte.

I bought this on a thirsty whim in a wee Tesco. Drank it this afternoon straight from the fridge.

In the shop I thought it was simply cold coffee (which I love).

At home, I noticed it was a coconut-water based coffee drink, and got suspicious. Coconut and coffee? Hmm, what fresh madness is this...? Coffee, and coconut?!

Reader, I loved it. Slightly sweet, totally thirst-quenching and fresh tasting with a good strong-coffee flavour. Divine.

Verdict: Lip-smackingly good
Score:   10/10
Would I buy it again? Yes, sireee Bob

12. Jun, 2015

The other day the stuff I ate was Corkers Natural British Crisps.

Had these on my train gallavant the other day (with the mingin tea). Travelled weekend first class, la de da, which means free food. Was impressed that they handed out posh crisps rather than the usual borings. I like that even the railways are getting a bit foodier - supporting the local and all that. Though the tea really is Mingin and Should Be Improved - someone start a petition.

Verdict: Nice crisp, quite oily (but that's the style), sort of rustic crunchy twisty shaped, odd name though.
Score: 9/10
Would I have them again: Yep