Take a look at this - isn't it pretty? Award-winning image too.
Irish moss, or carrageen moss, is on my list of 'things to play with in the kitchen' but I haven't gotten around to it yet. Mind you, that's a long list...
It's also interesting to see all the different names for it in different languages. So far, I like 'curly gristle moss' because it sounds like a poisonous plant that might be used by the villain in a Miss Marple novel* and the Galician 'carrapucho' for the way it rolls around the mouth when you say it.
*In which case, the cook did it - of course.
Showing posts with label ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ramblings. Show all posts
Friday, September 28, 2007
Dish of the day
Overheard in a Dingle tourist shop:Person 1: 'Did you enjoy lunch?'
Person 2: 'Yeah - it was great. It didn't really taste like chicken. But it didn't really taste like fish either.'
If I were a braver soul, I'd have asked what 'it' was. But I'm not. And now the curiosity is killing me!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
innocent or naive?
This will have all the branding/marketing students frothing away in their bedsits. Innocent has struck up a trial deal to supply some branches McDonalds with fresh and delicious vitamin-packed kids smoothies.
It’s an interesting one – innocent’s whole thing is projecting an (eco)friendly home-spun image without anything so filthy as money tainting the brand. They make those drinks because they love us and want us to be happy, don’t they? Well yes, they probably do – but they don’t give them away for free either. Hooking up with McD’s just highlights the more commercial side of things – perhaps that’s what’s upsetting people so much.
If it means that kids will drink something instead of fizzy crap… But no, even though I realise that innocent already sell through big names like Tesco’s and Starbucks, this deal with the Golden Arches feels different. Kinda grubby.
I’ve argued it round in my head a few times and all I can come up with is that innocent is very likely to be damaged by its association with McD’s (and definitely not vice versa). It’s a real shame – I’ve been a big fan of fruity happiness in little bottles for a long time. Those clever labels that make you smile, the strong ethical values and friendly persona… They’ve not put a foot wrong until now, which is pretty impressive really.
Unfortunately, whatever ‘good’ innocent thinks it can do for people with this deal, whatever its best intentions, it will all be far outweighed by the general perception (rightly or wrongly) of the company as a sell-out. And it’s always harder to undo bad publicity, so they say.
Guess it will be interesting to see what happens next – it’s certainly generated a lot of comment on the innocent blog.
And, to counteract the gloom, here's an interview with the first lady of organic food and just plain good eating - Alice Waters, we are not worthy. Although that's a bit of a scary photo.
It’s an interesting one – innocent’s whole thing is projecting an (eco)friendly home-spun image without anything so filthy as money tainting the brand. They make those drinks because they love us and want us to be happy, don’t they? Well yes, they probably do – but they don’t give them away for free either. Hooking up with McD’s just highlights the more commercial side of things – perhaps that’s what’s upsetting people so much.
If it means that kids will drink something instead of fizzy crap… But no, even though I realise that innocent already sell through big names like Tesco’s and Starbucks, this deal with the Golden Arches feels different. Kinda grubby.
I’ve argued it round in my head a few times and all I can come up with is that innocent is very likely to be damaged by its association with McD’s (and definitely not vice versa). It’s a real shame – I’ve been a big fan of fruity happiness in little bottles for a long time. Those clever labels that make you smile, the strong ethical values and friendly persona… They’ve not put a foot wrong until now, which is pretty impressive really.
Unfortunately, whatever ‘good’ innocent thinks it can do for people with this deal, whatever its best intentions, it will all be far outweighed by the general perception (rightly or wrongly) of the company as a sell-out. And it’s always harder to undo bad publicity, so they say.
Guess it will be interesting to see what happens next – it’s certainly generated a lot of comment on the innocent blog.
And, to counteract the gloom, here's an interview with the first lady of organic food and just plain good eating - Alice Waters, we are not worthy. Although that's a bit of a scary photo.
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