Originally posted by Bryn
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A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum
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Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostToday I decided to patronise Waitrose' branch in Beckenham. This was the first time I have done so, despite living in the area now for 16 years and within the same distance as my more regular cycle trips to E. Dulwich Sainsbury's and Brixton Tescos - about 3 miles. The uphill trek from Penge has a lot to do with it. Nevertheless it would make a pleasant change from my usual fare, and I am in the process of hoarding for the colder days that will end my summer seasonal devotion to salads, almost exclusively.
I did however wonder if anything would occur as a reminder that this was not a visit to my usual food emporia. At first this didn't seem likely, there being too small a sample of locals to get an indicator species, as ecologists say, with only around 20 shoppers in situ. I can't remember ever having shopped in Waitrose, so it was a little surprising to find few items one wouldn't in any of St Sprees' or Tescles' larger outlets - often the same labels, and, again, surprisingly few differences in price - I even paid less for my usual vapes, and proclaimed so to the amusement of the salesman; I did pick up a few different vegetarian products in the cold compartments. However, it was on the way out that I had my "evidence".
I was making my way back to where I had parked my bike - tied to one of the metal barriers in the car park - and just walking at a normal pace, when a car came up behind me, tooted, and parked two spaces from where I was unlocking my bike. A woman emerged, I would say in her late 60s. "Did you want to speak to me or something?" I asked - she could have inadvertently hit the horn, or maybe was signalling to someone else. "I was just wondering when you were going to make up your mind where you were going" she replied curtly. "Oh I'm sorry I took up two seconds of your precious time", I said, blood rising, "this would never have happened in Brixton, you know". "Oh ho ho, that's rather good!" she said. "You take care of yourself". I said. "Oh I usually do" she replied. I was thinking, just as well it was me, lady. I could have raised the odds further by adding what I wanted to add, but what's the use if it merely helps shorten one's life, which would probably only please people such as her, who have all the position and arrogance to treat others, especially if they are carrying stuff on their back and are wearing cycle clips, as in their way and expendable. And I felt a tad gleeful at having my teeny weeny bit of evidence.
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I buy my Earl Grey teabags in Waitrose so I go now and then. I'm no expert but I've had afternoon tea in Claridges (they only demonstrated how to make the best leaf tea of course......). I've tried the tea they use, other superior brands and all the main supermarket own brands leaf and teabags. I always come back to Waitrose. Maybe its just my preference.
Some own brand Earl Greys taste synthetic - must be the bergamot quality or it has a synthetic component. The "leading" brand isn't much good either - probably owned by one of the mega international brands who reformulate to maximise profits on acquisition of the business. 40 years ago I was told by a food chemist to avoid certain foods - dehydrated soup mixes an extreme example. One would hope EU numbers, some regulation and scrutiny from public concern has changed that but I do wonder.....
I only ever saw misbehaviour from a man in front of me in the max 10 items basket queue who seemed to be in a great hurry and was very rude to the shop assistant. I'm quite tall and was fitter then and I told him not to be so objectionable and I would wait for a manager to come to complain at the cashier's treatment. Waitrose must have airline staff training as the supervisor appeared and diffused the situation. There might be supermarkets where I would have been more likely to received the end of a fist for my intervention, but probably not so likely in my locality (I would hope.....).
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostI buy my Earl Grey teabags in Waitrose so I go now and then. I'm no expert but I've had afternoon tea in Claridges (they only demonstrated how to make the best leaf tea of course......). I've tried the tea they use, other superior brands and all the main supermarket own brands leaf and teabags. I always come back to Waitrose. Maybe its just my preference.
Some own brand Earl Greys taste synthetic - must be the bergamot quality or it has a synthetic component. The "leading" brand isn't much good either - probably owned by one of the mega international brands who reformulate to maximise profits on acquisition of the business. 40 years ago I was told by a food chemist to avoid certain foods - dehydrated soup mixes an extreme example. One would hope EU numbers, some regulation and scrutiny from public concern has changed that but I do wonder.....
I only ever saw misbehaviour from a man in front of me in the max 10 items basket queue who seemed to be in a great hurry and was very rude to the shop assistant. I'm quite tall and was fitter then and I told him not to be so objectionable and I would wait for a manager to come to complain at the cashier's treatment. Waitrose must have airline staff training as the supervisor appeared and diffused the situation. There might be supermarkets where I would have been more likely to received the end of a fist for my intervention, but probably not so likely in my locality (I would hope.....).
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostI buy my Earl Grey teabags in Waitrose so I go now and then. I'm no expert but I've had afternoon tea in Claridges (they only demonstrated how to make the best leaf tea of course......). I've tried the tea they use, other superior brands and all the main supermarket own brands leaf and teabags. I always come back to Waitrose. Maybe its just my preference.
Some own brand Earl Greys taste synthetic - must be the bergamot quality or it has a synthetic component. The "leading" brand isn't much good either - probably owned by one of the mega international brands who reformulate to maximise profits on acquisition of the business. 40 years ago I was told by a food chemist to avoid certain foods - dehydrated soup mixes an extreme example. One would hope EU numbers, some regulation and scrutiny from public concern has changed that but I do wonder.....
I only ever saw misbehaviour from a man in front of me in the max 10 items basket queue who seemed to be in a great hurry and was very rude to the shop assistant. I'm quite tall and was fitter then and I told him not to be so objectionable and I would wait for a manager to come to complain at the cashier's treatment. Waitrose must have airline staff training as the supervisor appeared and diffused the situation. There might be supermarkets where I would have been more likely to received the end of a fist for my intervention, but probably not so likely in my locality (I would hope.....).
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostI buy my Earl Grey teabags in Waitrose so I go now and then. I'm no expert but I've had afternoon tea in Claridges (they only demonstrated how to make the best leaf tea of course......). I've tried the tea they use, other superior brands and all the main supermarket own brands leaf and teabags. I always come back to Waitrose. Maybe its just my preference.
Some own brand Earl Greys taste synthetic - must be the bergamot quality or it has a synthetic component. The "leading" brand isn't much good either - probably owned by one of the mega international brands who reformulate to maximise profits on acquisition of the business. 40 years ago I was told by a food chemist to avoid certain foods - dehydrated soup mixes an extreme example. One would hope EU numbers, some regulation and scrutiny from public concern has changed that but I do wonder.....
I only ever saw misbehaviour from a man in front of me in the max 10 items basket queue who seemed to be in a great hurry and was very rude to the shop assistant. I'm quite tall and was fitter then and I told him not to be so objectionable and I would wait for a manager to come to complain at the cashier's treatment. Waitrose must have airline staff training as the supervisor appeared and diffused the situation. There might be supermarkets where I would have been more likely to received the end of a fist for my intervention, but probably not so likely in my locality (I would hope.....).
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I'm afraid convenience wins out.....still, the tea bag offers an unrivalled - to my taste buds - cup of Earl Grey. Waitrose supplier's quality there too? I do try their leaf tea from time to time but our sink area is small (kitchen layout compromise) and there is no way to dispose of the leaves which is found tidy and acceptable (by Mrs CS) and time efficient (by me).
While I'm at it I'll admit my preference is for Alta Rica instant coffee made by making a solution, mixing the granules into unheated milk, then adding boiled water. What happens to the solution which issues forth from the ground coffee in the cafetiere in our house would horrify you, so once again I opt for convenience. Drinking coffee out in town I choose Cappucino, letting the barista take all the trouble in making it.
I noted some months back that the disclosure here that Elizabeth David opted for instant coffee in her uncompromising style led to removal from her culinary pedestal for several members, but I felt we had common values - which I have felt reading her books in the past, but hadn't come across the coffee preference.Last edited by Cockney Sparrow; 02-09-21, 13:14.
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostI'm afraid convenience wins out.....still, the tea bag offers an unrivalled - to my taste buds - cup of Earl Grey. Waitrose supplier's quality there too? I do try their leaf tea from time to time but our sink area is small (kitchen layout compromise) and there is no way to dispose of the leaves which is found tidy and acceptable (by Mrs CS) and time efficient (by me).
While I'm at it I'll admit my preference is for Alta Rica instant coffee made by making a solution, mixing the granules into unheated milk, then adding boiled water. What happens to the solution which issues forth from the ground coffee in the cafetiere in our house would horrify you, so once again I opt for convenience. Drinking coffee out in town choose Cappucino, letting the barista take all the trouble in making it.
I noted some months back that the disclosure here that Elizabeth David opted for instant coffee in her uncompromising style led to removal from her culinary pedestal for several members, but I felt we had common values - which I have felt reading her books in the past, but hadn't come across the coffee preference.
And what has happened (a) to tinned mangoes, and (b) blackberry jam or jelly? Both unavailable everywhere I've been for the past 3 weeks. I'm wishing I stocked up the last time both were on sale at Sainsburys. I found some bottled mangoes the other day, but was not prepared to pay £2.60 for a single jar. I thought the idea of canning and bottling was to ensure out-of-season availability.
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Originally posted by Bryn View PostDo you not have a WC? I use a dedicated cafetiere to make my tea (Waitrose Earl Grey leaf) and simply dispose of the leafy remains down the bowl at a convenient[sic] moment. I follow a similar procedure when it comes to coffee grounds from the dedicated coffee cafetiere.
I do wonder about expectation bias. (I know double blind trials are a bit controversial around here** - as in “Audibility of a CD-Standard A/D/A Loop Inserted into High-Resolution Audio Playback” - Boston Audio Society, 2006.
** Just to say, this isn't directed at any of the participants in this conversation.....
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View PostNever thought of that.... I might give it a try. I'll try a bit of research - has there been a double blind trial of leaf versus tea bag tea, I'll look for one.
I do wonder about expectation bias. (I know double blind trials are a bit controversial around here** - as in “Audibility of a CD-Standard A/D/A Loop Inserted into High-Resolution Audio Playback” - Boston Audio Society, 2006.
** Just to say, this isn't directed at any of the participants in this conversation.....
I wouldn't want to put either coffee or tea down the WC, although it would be convenient enough as next to the kitchen, because it would stain the limescale which is a plague in these parts.
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