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Original poster

Food that sounds great in books but is disappointing in real life

473 replies

BlowDryRat · 13/03/2021 15:56

As a child I was very into reading the Famous Five and begged my mum to buy me ginger beer. It was a disappointing experience. It tasted horrible!

Ditto cakes made with chestnut flour (The Wolves of Willoughby Chase) and the butterbeer at the Harry Potter studio tour.

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 13/03/2021 20:38

Bread and dripping was not unusual in my childhood in the 50s/early 60s, very nice with a bit of salt and pepper.

PedrosPony · 13/03/2021 20:40

I've always thought lobster is very overrated.

PedrosPony · 13/03/2021 20:42

Oh sorry I took no notice of the book reference 😂

Lobsterquadrille2 · 13/03/2021 20:53

@PedrosPony

Oh sorry I took no notice of the book reference 😂
We're in Alice, but as a poem and a dance.
LApprentiSorcier · 13/03/2021 21:15

@The4Seasons

I tried onion soup after Harry Potter had some in one of the books. It was from a tin and rank. I imagine if it was home cooked properly it would probably be ok? And no to ginger beer, root beer and cream soda. Also grim.
Yes, I've made onion soup from scratch and it's nice - not strongly flavoured like the tinned stuff.
Anne1958 · 13/03/2021 21:16

I can recall my great granny sharing her bread and dripping with me when I was a young child in the early 60’s. It was standard fare for generations and I’ll admit to sometimes dipping a slice of bread into the roasting tin to mopping up the juices when I’ve roasted a chicken. I couldn’t eat it once it’s gone cold and coagulated like dripping though.

Veterinari · 13/03/2021 21:20

Love root beer. Like liquid germolene Grin

Who was the little boy in the books who always ate sardines on toast for his favourite tea? I always found it weird cos it was something my mum would foist on us as children and it definitely wasn't a treat!

LApprentiSorcier · 13/03/2021 21:21

Not quite on topic because much of it is poisonous to humans but I always thought Madame Cholet's cooking in The Wombles sounded tasty. Dandelion souffle with fine herbs and curried sycamore leaves ... daisy cream buns ... tangy lichen pie.

minniemoocher · 13/03/2021 21:26

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

They have frozen snails in Lidl currently, French week I presume, no frogs legs though

QuidditchQueen · 13/03/2021 21:32

Tongue sandwiches and lashings of ginger beer

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 13/03/2021 21:45

Reses Pieces. Vomit.

nellyburt · 13/03/2021 21:58

Canoli. Mentioned in lots of American books. Finally got one in New York. Disappointing

Gerla · 13/03/2021 22:07

@lapprentisorcier - I see what you mean!!

mommybunny · 13/03/2021 22:15

I’ve gotten to the end of page 4 and don’t think I can go on anymore - you people are killing me! You’re trashing all the foods of my childhood!

Tootsie Rolls were my dear Daddy’s favourite candy.

PB&J was one of my favourite lunches.

Cheetos (only crunchy, mind - puffy are indeed vile) were a beloved snack.

Root beer was my go-to drink anytime we went out for a meal - what’s not to like?!

Froot Loops were a cherished breakfast treat.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten. I can’t bear to look anymore,

herecomesthsun · 13/03/2021 22:24

Onion soup is one of my husband's favourites. I made it for him recently, with caramelised onions, fresh thyme, homemade stock and red wine and he was delighted. It needs to have croutons topped with melted cheese (should be cut from a baguette).

heronsinflight · 13/03/2021 22:32

I remember reading lots of adventure books set in the tropics where people ate breadfruit and thought it sounded like the most exotic thing ever. It's actually exactly like eating cotton wool.

kateluvscats · 13/03/2021 22:50

@DaisyWaldron

I have a craving for porridge after reading this thread.
Me too
Percivalthebabyspider · 13/03/2021 23:02

Turkish delight tastes like soap.

I never understood the Enid Blyton boarding school obsession with sardine sandwiches with tinned pineapple. Revolting!

RampantIvy · 13/03/2021 23:04

@nellyburt

Canoli. Mentioned in lots of American books. Finally got one in New York. Disappointing
You need to go to Sicily. A freshly made canoli is the food of the gods.
HedgeSparrows · 13/03/2021 23:17

Oreos. Dry, bland, rubbish (and I am sure mentioned in a book somewhere).

DragonPoop · 13/03/2021 23:27

I watched a lot of American kids tv shows Hmm
Oreos
Twinkies
Peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches
Sloppy joes
Pumpkin pie
Candied yams
Green bean casserole
Tootsie rolls

TalkToTheWind · 13/03/2021 23:29

@Xdecd

My nan used to tell me about oxtail soup as a warming and restorative treat for when you feel under the weather. One day I finally tried it and 🤮
Oh god I loved oxtail soup! I think I am from your nan's generation...
toolatetofixate · 13/03/2021 23:32

@EdithSitwell

Avocado toast. Looks lovely in pictures but doesn’t actually taste of anything.

Need a bit of coarse sea salt

toolatetofixate · 13/03/2021 23:32

What does the butterbeer taste like for those who've had it?

RampantIvy · 13/03/2021 23:33

It is very sickly and very sweet. It's like fizzy butterscotch.