It all started when I boasted that out of my entire Food Science class in college, I was one of only two students who could blindly identify the difference between Coca Cola and Pepsi. Â I know what you’re thinking which is exactly what everyone in the entire class thought; “Oh, that’s easy”. Â There were at least 35 students in there. Â From the moment my professor labeled me a super taster, I have felt entitled to bragging rights!
Just as I suspected, each member of the family believed with certainty they could easily distinguish between these two colas. Â The challenge was ON! Â We went out and bought Coke and Pepsi and tiny clear cups. Â We made a voting sheet and passed out the pencils. Â SO fun!! Â Turns out, every family member got it right except for one! Â Maybe I inherited my super-tasting abilities.
pub-4561044891259873, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0The next time we were all together, my Dad presented another challenge. Â Could there be a healthier mayonnaise that tasted just as good as the Hellmann’s we grew up using? Â Hellmann’s now makes a variety with canola oil and one with olive oil. Â I regret to announce that I was the only one in the family who got this one wrong. Â I’ll just go ahead and attribute that to age, allergies, and the fact that I had eaten practically no mayo in many months.
This Christmas with my family, I am considering a few blind taste testing ideas. Â Oreo recognition test (the least healthy option, but top pick for all the kids, obviously), spring water vs. purified water vs. bottled water with added minerals or cheese identification tasting. Â Even better, we could blindly compare regular cheeses with their low-fat versions or skim milk vs 1%, as my Dad insists he simply can’t make the switch to skim. Â That may result in a healthy change for someone and would make me feel better about the competition especially if the alternative is Oreos!
By the way, I just began reading a book I picked up for $1.00 at the discarded books library sale. Â It’s titled, best Food WRITING 2012. Â If you are a dietitian, a foodie or even slightly interesting in food and spectacular writing, this is a great book for you. Â I am only 3 works in! Â I will be seeking more current publications of this book in the future! Â Get the most recent 2017 version as a Christmas gift for a foodie friend or loved one; of course, there’s always room for one more gift to yourself…