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Post by HailStorm on Oct 9, 2005 9:48:37 GMT -5
I found this when randomly googling for Polos (I thought they might have an official site with pictures of polos everywhere that would be a joy to behold. Alas, I don't think they do.) If there's any of you numerous non-Brits out there who have money that they don't know what to do with and a burning desire to know what we're on about when we talk about ribena and stuff, then this might interest you: www.britstore.co.uk/index.htm
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Post by Islander on Oct 9, 2005 13:09:52 GMT -5
OoooKay, that's odd. Although, then again, Ribena is very good... I suppose it's only right we share it with the rest of the world ;D!
No Polo pics flying everywhere (shame), but try this for the history of the Polo: The Hole Truth
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Post by Menack on Oct 9, 2005 14:14:25 GMT -5
That's, like, the worst pun I've evur seen.
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Post by {88Keys} on Oct 9, 2005 21:40:56 GMT -5
Hmmm...very interesting site. Although in many cases all it really does is show you a picture and not really explain what anything is to us dense non-Brits. I'm still not sure what Ribena is; looks like grape soda to me. And blackberry flavor too? Bleh. "Quaker Oat Krunchies" looks a lot like my favorite cereal, "Quaker Oat Squares." And Marmite looks a lot like Vegamite, which thankfully, we do not have here. I have heard of its horrors.
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Post by Kitten ♥ Lovell on Oct 10, 2005 1:39:21 GMT -5
Why is it when I hear 'British food' I automatically think of Fish and Chips.
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Post by HailStorm on Oct 10, 2005 13:07:30 GMT -5
Arrr that's a shame I hadn't thought of that. I think the main purpose of the site is to cater to Brits abroad though and so they don't spare a thought for curious non-Brits who want to see what our sweets and chocolates are like. Ribena is blackcurrant flavoured cordial/squash (you know, like a concentrated fruity syrupy substance that is diluted with water to make a refreshing drink) As Islander said, it's very good indeed. I was brought up drinking it, I drink it still, it's marvelous. But only the original full sugar version. The 'light' version is a bit substandard and the sugar-free 'Tooth-kind' is evil. It tastes like that pink stuff they give you to swill with at the dentist >< Marmite is much like vegemite only without the vegetable extracts - it's just yeast extract. And it's gorgeous... I can't imagine what it's like going into a supermarket and not being able to buy marmite (or vegemite, which is quite good but not quite as spot-on as marmite). Curiosity... Americans and Canadians: do you have Bovril? (a dark bown paste that you stir into hot water to make a tasty warming mug of hot beef drink)
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Post by Menack on Oct 10, 2005 14:45:35 GMT -5
I stopped investigating about british food when I found out they eat french fries with vinegar.
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Post by HailStorm on Oct 10, 2005 17:07:42 GMT -5
I stopped investigating about british food when I found out they eat french fries with vinegar. Some people do. I generally don't eat french fries very much. And when I do, generally I have them plain. Chips on the other hand (no, not your skinny little fries, big chunky proper chips (which, by the way, are better up north ) must be liberally sprinkled in vinegar and then salt. And before anybody dares suggest differently, there is an important difference between fries and chips. And chips are better for you (er. not quite so bad for you...) than fries too. Aha, pictures to help illustrate the difference: Chips: bikesandbeef.co.uk/ridepics/morebeersthangears/chips.jpgFries: whyfiles.org/128potato_blight/images/fries.jpg
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Post by Menack on Oct 10, 2005 17:37:03 GMT -5
Oh. So, Fries are just 'industrial' chips, e.g. what McDonald's gives you for US$5. But still, vinegar is for salads only! You wouldn't eat lettuce with ketchup now, would you?
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Post by {88Keys} on Oct 10, 2005 21:57:12 GMT -5
It's yeast extract. You're eating YEAST EXTRACT. I'm so glad I live here. My husband tried a tiny, tiny bit of Vegamite once and nearly died. I mean, he was doing the Ace Ventura thing, trying to get the taste out of his mouth. And this is the man who tried dog buscuits and thought they "weren't that bad."
Ummm...we have boulion cubes. You disolve them in hot water to make broth. You can drink them, but mostly they're just used for cooking. Personally I wouldn't drink one. Never heard of Bovril.
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Post by MirrorCard on Oct 12, 2005 15:45:37 GMT -5
I stopped investigating about british food when I found out they eat french fries with vinegar. ick. I think someone has said that on here before. That or I've heard that before. You wouldn't eat lettuce with ketchup now, would you? don't tempt them *lol* Haven't heard of Bovril either but I haven't experienced a wide variety of food.
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Post by HailStorm on Oct 13, 2005 5:36:11 GMT -5
It's good for you - full of vitamin B, possibly iron aswell (I can't be bothered going looking for the marmite to find out). It's an aquired taste but it's ace. It tastes like autumn afternoons, being ten, enjoying pulling a sickie from school, late night snackage... *le sigh* Marmite on toast is one of the most satisfying food you can eat at some times. Besides which, bread has yeast in it, what's the problem?
I wouldn't eat anything with ketchup. *shudder* Urgh nasty stuff.
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Post by Islander on Oct 13, 2005 17:21:08 GMT -5
As Islander said, it's very good indeed. I was brought up drinking it, I drink it still, it's marvelous. But only the original full sugar version. I always drank it, and still do occasionally. Not from a carton, mind you, they get the concentration all wrong. No, I buy a bottle of concentrate, and dilute to taste. What I used to love, though, was the strawberry flavor. They only did it for a couple of years, and then stopped . It was lovely. I've still got a little - don't drink it, though, BBE March '92 . Hows this for an interesting concoction: For most of my life, I couldn't take tablets without choking (I can now ;D). Whenever I had a headache, my Mum got a soluble paracetamol, dissolved it in a little water, and topped it up with conc. Ribena - it was very odd *shudders at the thought*. The 'light' version is a bit substandard and the sugar-free 'Tooth-kind' is evil. It tastes like that pink stuff they give you to swill with at the dentist >< The 'light' version is indeed a little odd. The 'Tooth-Kind' doesn't deserve the Ribena brand - it's just too revolting . Marmite is much like vegemite only without the vegetable extracts - it's just yeast extract. And it's gorgeous... I can't imagine what it's like going into a supermarket and not being able to buy marmite (or vegemite, which is quite good but not quite as spot-on as marmite). Right, before we go any further, let me make one thing very clear - Britain is very much divided on Marmite. Half love it (like Hail). Half think it is the most repulsive, disgusting spread around (like me). Find me one Brit who thinks it's 'OK' - we either love it or loath it!
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Post by Gideon on Oct 14, 2005 6:14:17 GMT -5
Find me one Brit who thinks it's 'OK' - we either love it or loath it! There might be one here... It's been ages since I've had marmite, but although I do remember enjoying it when I used to have it, I didn't love it. I liked the taste, but didn't think it was amazingly delicious - so I guess you could say I just found it okay. But then again, it has been years since I've had it...maybe I should try and have some again so I can form a proper opinion on it. Maybe if I had it now, I'd find my tastes had changed, and I'd either love it or hate it.
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Post by Menack on Oct 15, 2005 15:06:50 GMT -5
You wouldn't eat lettuce with ketchup now, would you? don't tempt them *lol* Lol! I actually laughed with that comment. I wouldn't eat anything with ketchup. *shudder* Urgh nasty stuff. Oh, sure! Fries with vinegar is tasty but ketchup is urgh nasty stuff. Sheesh!
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