Your ViewsKeep your e-mails pouring in, it's good to know that there are lots of you out there with views and opinions. To help you work out what is what, are now little icons to help you see biscuit related themes. And now you can see at a glance which are the most contested subjects via this graph (requires Flash 6.0 plugin). Please keep your mails coming in to nicey@nicecupofteaandasitdown.com | If you like, you can use this search thingy to find stuff that matches with any of the icons you pick, or use the fantastic free text search, Yay! | Your e-Mails |
Martin Clutterbuck
Oreo Review |
Hi Nicey, do you remember me, Martin in Thailand? Congrats on all the media exposure, richly deserved. When last I wrote, Marks and Sparks were selling McVities standards here - digestives, rich teas etc. at 85 baht/packet. Excuse me, but in Thailand that can buy enough rice to feed a family of 5 for a week. Seriously. There was a local biscuit somewhat reminiscent of Nice called "Homey", which stood in on occasion, but I became excited when a new biscuit appeared, Fun-O. The name's a bit of a giveaway, so I just had to tell the story to the attached pic.
Oreo mutates into Custard Cream - amazing biscuit evolution in Thailand!
1. The original, Oreo Nabiscoensis, familiar to biscuiteers worldwide, made under licence by PT Nabisco Foods in Indonesia, selling at the Thai consumer-friendly price of 5 baht for 3. Don't worry, the funny writing just says "Oreo."
2. Oreo Knock-off-oensis, "Cream-O", made by "Jack 'n Jill" aka URC (Thailand) in Samut Sakhon near Bangkok, cleverly selling at 5 baht for 4. 2a. (not shown) an intermediate species of Cream-O, in the same size packet, but with chocolate cream filling.
3. An evolutionary breakthrough! Someone at URC decides to put a light shortbread mixture in the pseudo-Oreo moulds, but still with chocolate cream filling. The result is called "Fun-O." Now we are getting 6 biscuits for 5 baht.
4. Amazing convergent evolution! Light shortbread with custard cream filling. It might be showing signs of its Oreo ancestry, but taste-wise, this "Fun-O" is a bona fide custard cream! Still at 6 for 5 baht too.
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Nicey replies: An outstanding bit of pure biscuit research the Martin. Unfortunately as there isn't a scientific journal dedicated to the science of biscuits you'll have to settle for us as the platform on which publish your astounding thesis. |
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Mike Jarman
Botham's Tea, Shah Ginger and Ginger Choc Chip biscuits Review |
To Andrew McMurtrie,
It was cup of tea time,
when I discovered this rhyme,
of praise and a niggle,
It made me quite giggle!
Although, I find it quite odd,
That when ordering cod,
You found our girl dour,
Are you quite sure?
I’m particularly proud-
Blow trumpet if allowed.
That when put to the test,
Our staff are the best!
The Tea Council recommended,
by awarding us ‘Highly Commended’.
A tribute bestowed,
and an honour to hold.
So family McMurtrie,
Please don’t get shirty,
We treat guests as kings,
Serving tea, scones and things.
Which I’m sure you will learn,
if you come back next term.
Our ‘blacks and pinnies’ are neat,
efficient - and really quite sweet!
So let me put things right,
- An offer if I might?
When you next come for tea,
You can have it on me!
Mike Jarman
From Botham’s Tea Rooms
Tea Council Award of Excellence 2003
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Gary Smith
McVities Digestive Cream Review |
Can you help? I haven't seen Sweetmeal Digestive Creams in the shops for ages. Two biscuits, about 2/3rds the size of a regular digestive, with cream in the middle - obviously, where else would the cream be? Anyway, what's happened to them? Where can I get hold of them ? Please advise.
Gary in Bristol. |
Nicey replies: Oh dear, we reviewed them when they came out but they didn't quite work for us. Sounds like they might have been canned. We did hear of a 'Hills Digetsive Creams' which were like a Custard Cream crossed with Digestive, but you would need to look in corner shops for those. |
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Lee Bolton
Bahlsen Crumblys Review |
I've just had three of these that I found at work and they were very nice indeed. Perhaps my pleasure was heightened by knowing that they weren't mine as such, but I don't know, I think they just tasted mighty fine. The description on the bottom of the packet reads "Biscuit tarts with a blueberry fruit filling decorated with a crumble topping", and that does about sum it up. The almost crunchy crumble is an excellent touch which I haven't come across before, but I'm guessing there's a range of Crumbly's out there. And blueberry doesn't appear enough in our diet ( except those over-rated muffins that taste of little but baking soda). If you haven't done so already, try them yourselves. |
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Andrew McMurtrie
Botham's Tea, Shah Ginger and Ginger Choc Chip biscuits Review |
Elizabeth Botham makes very fine tea,
But her silver tea pot burnt me.
In Whitby Town we sat down,
The wife, myself and Kids 3.
After Nicey's tip, we planned a trip,
For homemade biscuits and tea.
Their blend was a good pour,
Though the waitress was dour.
(but in Yorkshire that's the score!)
But transported back to Victorian time
(By the Botham's time machine!)
I pondered this eternal question.
Twixt bickys and tea, and fish and chips,
What would your choice be?
Whilst some might go for Whitby cod,
IT'S A CUP OF TEA FOR ME ! |
Nicey replies: So that's mostly a thumbs up. Actually I've been thinking about breaking into our last Botham's All Butter Fruit Cake most of this morning, it survived a trip to Colchester Zoo the day after the Bank holiday, (which I think it enjoyed) but its on borrowed time now. |
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