A Tip from the good folks at BP
Of course we are all infuriated with the megacorporate arrogance of BP: a company that flaunts law, and shakes off regulation like a wet dog. And who is well on its way to turning the Gulf of Mexico, and even parts of the Caribbean into a big dead zone.
So how does this relate to tasting and uh, watermelon?
Simple. It turns out that Gulf shrimp are still being harvested and distributed, largely without testing and depending on the shrimpers to provide a clean product in the midst of widespread oil fouling in the area. Its way too expensive to actually perform widespread lab testing, so many of the local companies use another method...
Nosing and watermelon.
How does this work? Trained testers are taught to nose shrimp, clams, oysters and fish to detect tainting. To clear the palate inbetween nosing the testers keep close at hand a bowl of freshly cut watermelon. I'm serious.
Apparently the freshly cut watermelon is a reliable palate clearer.
Better than the crackers, cheese and cut fruit at a Burr Brothers tasting? You decide. Although public reaction has been negative "What? No lab testing?!", those of us in the know - you and I - should be aware that experienced and sensitive nosers have long been used to fairly judge the quality of all manner of food products.
But fer gawds sake don't compare this to the faux nosing at faux rum "competitions", which amount to little more than frat house drinking orgies without getting laid.
And all without watermelon...
Tasting Requirements: Glass, Nose and Watermelon
- Capn Jimbo
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