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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

I am a bit scared of Herman

64 replies

galois · 21/05/2011 21:03

One of my friends gave me some gunge in a margarine tub last week. Apparently it he is called Herman and it will become part of a cake. I have been given an instruction sheet with him, which tells me to stir him every day, talk to it and some days feed it milk, sugar and flour. And keep him at room temperature. For ten days.

If you're confused, see this - scroll down for Herman's instructions

The whole milk and room temperature thing is making me feel a bit queasy. I make my own yogurt on occasion, but I boil the milk first and refrigerate the yogurt when I've made it. This Herman thing contains milk at room temperature for 6 days. Then you mix it up into a cake and eat it apparently. And you save a bit of it to give to another friend in a margarine tub and they feed it and feed it, and then make it into a cake with 16-day old uncooked milk. Or 26-day old or 36-day old depending on how many friends Herman has visited. I know that the original Herman gets diluted as you go along but AIBU to boak a little, make a nice cinnamon cake for the family and release Herman into the wild to start a new life in the compost bin? Or will I be rejecting this kind offer of slightly stinky and fermenting friendship?

OP posts:
sodiumion · 21/05/2011 21:05

My Herman got released into the wild. I didnt have any milk when I went to do it Grin

Crevix · 21/05/2011 21:06

herman is very delicious.

AgentZigzag · 21/05/2011 21:07

I've been part of a 'chain' for a similar kind of cake (and proper ginger beer) and it was the best cake I'd ever tasted, so moist.

Definately make Herman up, and stop thinking murderous thoughts about the little yeast life forms, trying to justify the act by saying you're setting them free, tsk Hmm

Grin
sodiumion · 21/05/2011 21:08

It's quite a shame that all the teenagers making their Hermans haven't realised that he's alcoholic...

ZZZenAgain · 21/05/2011 21:08

looks ok in the photos

but who comes up with these weird ideas? I couldn't really be bothered with it myself, I'd set him free

MumblingRagDoll · 21/05/2011 21:10

Poor Herman. Look afer him! Make him into a cake and he will repay you!

PacificDogwood · 21/05/2011 21:10

I had a Herman for years Grin

He is every woman's dream Wink - yummy and reliable.
Don't even think about releasing him into the wild - he might just take over the world (now that The Rapture does not seem to be happening)!

(Useful hint: use long-life milk Wink)

PacificDogwood · 21/05/2011 21:11

'Tis just like sourdough starter

Vallhala · 21/05/2011 21:21

Whatver you do, don't spill the bloody thing on the floor! You'll be scraping and scrubbing the sticky goo off your tiles for hours.

The idea rather gave me the creeps too. No issue for me, I don't eat anything with dairy produce in it, but I could envisage DD2, who was responsible for Herman, becoming rather ill. The landing on the floor wasn't deliberate but it may heve been for the best!

Does anyone know how the damn thing got the name Herman?

dawntigga · 21/05/2011 21:23

Don't ever eat sourdough bread if you don't like the idea of that.

ThinksIt'sALovelyIdeaTiggaxx

SarahStratton · 21/05/2011 21:43

Oh a Herman

Thank you for sharing, I'm going to make myself a Herman tomorrow :)

Counterstrike · 21/05/2011 21:53

Dd just finished making hers now! Too sweet for my liking though.

SarahStratton · 21/05/2011 21:55

Herman the German cake? It's a German recipe, I think.

PacificDogwood · 21/05/2011 21:57

Yes, it is German

There are 8 Herman variation on this German cooking/baking website Shock

ZZZenAgain · 21/05/2011 21:59

is that the right link?
lol at Herman the German

the recipe is alright but why do you have to give a bit to other people to stir for 10 days or whatever it was?

PacificDogwood · 21/05/2011 22:00

Oh dear Blush

Tries again

SarahStratton · 21/05/2011 22:00

It grows Zzen. Big time it grows. If you don't divide it up and give it away Herman will take over your kitchen first. Then your house. Then the world.

It's a sort of kitchen back door attempt at World Domination.

By yeast.

5inthebed · 21/05/2011 22:01

My mam used to have one called Boris, he was very yummy.

ZZZenAgain · 21/05/2011 22:01

pmsl

everyspring · 21/05/2011 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SarahStratton · 22/05/2011 17:27

I have made my Herman today.

I have new homes lined up for lots of baby Hermans and DD2 is going to blog his adventures Grin

GwendolineMaryLacey · 22/05/2011 17:37

Oh my God. Just Make A Bloody Cake. What a faff!

SarahStratton · 22/05/2011 17:41

Nooo Gwendoline, Herman cake is delish. My mum used to make it and she's having one of Herman's babies. Anyway, I've delegated all Herman care to DD2 Grin

PacificDogwood · 22/05/2011 17:43

Herman is not just A Cake Shock

He is a member of the family Wink

SarahStratton · 22/05/2011 17:54

Thank you Pacific :)

Herman has a lovely new home on the worktop. With a sticky on it saying 'feed me'. Just in case DD2 forgets. I warmed the milk to blood temperature, although it doesn't say to do so. I can remember my Mum doing that.