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To not understand the UK's obsession with sprouts?

136 replies

tawitttawoo · 24/12/2023 01:36

They're vile! Yet the British population seem enamoured with the bloody things. No matter how they're prepared they still taste like farts. We were a no sprouts household when I was younger. DH doesn't like them either.

Every year these we go to another home for Christmas dinner the little bastards are passed around the table, and I just pass them right on by me to the next person. And every year someone calls me out saying "ooh you've not got any sprouts on your plate". Or they'll come over and insist I take some despite me politely declining several times.

We've spent Christmas overseas with relatives several times and sprouts were never served

OP posts:
x2boys · 24/12/2023 12:13

tawitttawoo · 24/12/2023 01:36

They're vile! Yet the British population seem enamoured with the bloody things. No matter how they're prepared they still taste like farts. We were a no sprouts household when I was younger. DH doesn't like them either.

Every year these we go to another home for Christmas dinner the little bastards are passed around the table, and I just pass them right on by me to the next person. And every year someone calls me out saying "ooh you've not got any sprouts on your plate". Or they'll come over and insist I take some despite me politely declining several times.

We've spent Christmas overseas with relatives several times and sprouts were never served

Different people like different things ,personally i love sprouts but I'm not that enamoured with chocolate🤷

StoodySmithereens · 24/12/2023 11:37

So when did you start eating your own farts 🤔

HRTQueen · 24/12/2023 11:32

I didn’t realise that it’s genetic

great I can now shut down the conversations that always happen numerous times in December of ‘it’s because you need to try them cooked …..’ ✋😆

similar conversations are had around Marmite many of us know for a fact it’s delicious but some claim it’s vile 😮 apparently that’s genetic too

Onelifeonly · 24/12/2023 11:00

I love them as long as they are still firm after cooking. And yes do eat them at times other than Christmas. Most of my family like them.

DelilahBucket · 24/12/2023 10:57

@phoenixrosehere yes it is similar to the coriander thing. Saying that, it will be somewhat to do with prep too as boiling strips out flavour, and nutrients , and leaves it in the water.

TurquoiseSeasAndSilverSand · 24/12/2023 10:56

Kalettes are a nice compromise.

To not understand the UK's obsession with sprouts?
PutinSmellsPassItOn · 24/12/2023 10:39

I'll never forget the Christmas we all snuck our sprouts to the dog who was hiding under the table........then spent the day regretting it 🤣🤣🤣

flowerchild2000 · 24/12/2023 10:39

GettingStuffed · 24/12/2023 10:31

I don't mind red sprouts but the green ones can do one.

Ok my new life goal is to find the red ones. Just googled it and they sound yummy!

flowerchild2000 · 24/12/2023 10:36

Simonjt · 24/12/2023 10:31

They’re brussels (brassica oleracea), rather than sprouts as in small shoots of cale etc that is commonly served in salad. When I live in the USA, sprouts in the area I was in always referred to new/baby leaves of tender plants like kale etc.

Oh that makes sense too. I've always heard those just being called baby. My grandmother used to grow red potatoes but we called them new potatoes. It's funny how different areas use language differently. I do feel stupid not realizing the brussel sprouts thing though, I've even googled it before trying to understand. Even though I understand british english pretty well & how things are shortened often. I hate being a cliche!

Snackpocket · 24/12/2023 10:33

I bloody love sprouts. I eat them all the time, not just at Christmas. I am happy with them boiled or more fancy. I’ve even had sprout slaw which was delicious!

GettingStuffed · 24/12/2023 10:31

I don't mind red sprouts but the green ones can do one.

Simonjt · 24/12/2023 10:31

flowerchild2000 · 24/12/2023 10:23

Edit: Just saw the link above! Brussel Sprouts! I've never seen them referred to without the Brussel part. I sound like an idiot American. But we distinguish those apart from the other kind of sprouts, the little tender shoots from various seeds or legumes that are eaten raw. Now that I understand I agree with most others. They are nasty if cooked from frozen or boiled. I only eat them roasted. It's like night and day on taste and texture.

Since the topic is raised, can someone please post a photo of sprouts? I'm in the US and I've seen sprouts mentioned lots of times but the way y'all describe them sounds nothing like the sprouts I know about. For example I've never known sprouts to be cooked, only raw on a salad usually, and most people don't eat them at all. I genuinely would love to know!

Edited

They’re brussels (brassica oleracea), rather than sprouts as in small shoots of cale etc that is commonly served in salad. When I live in the USA, sprouts in the area I was in always referred to new/baby leaves of tender plants like kale etc.

flowerchild2000 · 24/12/2023 10:30

MasterBeth · 24/12/2023 10:28

@flowerchild2000 , we're talking about Brussels Sprouts (like little cabbages) not alfalfa sprouts or bean sprouts

Edited

Thank you and please don't judge me lol

MasterBeth · 24/12/2023 10:28

@flowerchild2000 , we're talking about Brussels Sprouts (like little cabbages) not alfalfa sprouts or bean sprouts

To not understand the UK's obsession with sprouts?
To not understand the UK's obsession with sprouts?
curtaintwitcher78 · 24/12/2023 10:25

When boiled to death they taste like farts. When cooked for less time they taste completely different and a bit on the horseradishy side.
I blanch them then fry them up, bit of chestnut and pancetta and it's a gooorgeous side dish.

flowerchild2000 · 24/12/2023 10:23

Edit: Just saw the link above! Brussel Sprouts! I've never seen them referred to without the Brussel part. I sound like an idiot American. But we distinguish those apart from the other kind of sprouts, the little tender shoots from various seeds or legumes that are eaten raw. Now that I understand I agree with most others. They are nasty if cooked from frozen or boiled. I only eat them roasted. It's like night and day on taste and texture.

Since the topic is raised, can someone please post a photo of sprouts? I'm in the US and I've seen sprouts mentioned lots of times but the way y'all describe them sounds nothing like the sprouts I know about. For example I've never known sprouts to be cooked, only raw on a salad usually, and most people don't eat them at all. I genuinely would love to know!

MasterBeth · 24/12/2023 10:22

Hermittrismegistus · 24/12/2023 01:40

I've never tried one.

Is this supposed to be some weird anti-stealth boast?

phoenixrosehere · 24/12/2023 10:21

DelilahBucket · 24/12/2023 10:12

It's genetic. Some people taste a compound in them that is bitter. There's also the fact that the varieties grown now are far nicer than 20+ years ago and traditionally most people don't boil their vegetables to death anymore, so people who hated them may well now like them but refuse to try.

Interesting.

When I had them boiled, they tasted bitter (which I didn’t mind but disliked the texture) but when I steamed them they tasted sweet. I thought it was preparation.

Wondering if it’s a similar gene to coriander where it has a lemony taste to some like me and a soap taste to others.

oneflewoverthe · 24/12/2023 10:19

Sususudio · 24/12/2023 10:15

I don't understand the UK's obsession with plain boiled vegetables with only salt and butter for seasoning, but each to their own.

Same here. They taste much nicer roasted or fried and with different seasoning. Sprouts are horrible whatever way they are cooked though.

Comtesse · 24/12/2023 10:19

I really like sprouts, so does whole family - we have them probably every 10 days over the winter - steamed is better then boiled, shredded and stir fried is good, roasted is excellent too.

Sususudio · 24/12/2023 10:15

I don't understand the UK's obsession with plain boiled vegetables with only salt and butter for seasoning, but each to their own.

bryceQ · 24/12/2023 10:13

KylieJennersMakeUpSponge · 24/12/2023 01:39

They’re vile when boiled.

But chopped up and sautéed with pancetta and chestnuts, they taste amazing

Agree this is how i love them

RuthW · 24/12/2023 10:13

Love them

DelilahBucket · 24/12/2023 10:12

It's genetic. Some people taste a compound in them that is bitter. There's also the fact that the varieties grown now are far nicer than 20+ years ago and traditionally most people don't boil their vegetables to death anymore, so people who hated them may well now like them but refuse to try.

Branleuse · 24/12/2023 10:12

The UK isn't obsessed with sprouts. They're joking about with you. Noone actually cares whether you like sprouts or not. It's a bit odd to have a specifically sprout free household.
British people are similarly not obsessed with parsnips or turkey, but it is traditional part of Xmas dinner

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