International Cuisine | Friday, 3rd period

[sharp_man]

"So," Hannibal said. "I hope you have all enjoyed this semester's trips and have learned a bit about the varied foods that Earth has to offer."

There were a lot of seafood and stew. What could he say? There was a lot of water.

"For our last trip, we'll be ending in Paris. It's the home of much that is considered 'Western' cuisine, and a personal favorite of mine. We'll be going to Le Grand Véfour, at the Palais Royal. This restaurant has been in existence for centuries, and has quite a lovely menu, as well as a wonderful view and a glimpse into late eighteenth-century decor."

He led them through the portal, which let them out just in front. "Please, enjoy."

Comments

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[era_two_triangle]

"But wouldn't it be easier to appreciate the food if it didn't have to compete?"

Maybe it was easier for humans to care about the food, since they had to eat it. And actually could.

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[sharp_man]

"To some extent, the surroundings magnify the experience of the food," Hannibal said. "A special environment makes the food feel special. There is a psychological element to taste, and every sense affects it."

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[era_two_triangle]

"Psychological, too?" Peridot frowned thoughtfully at that. "Mostly that makes me wonder if I'm experiencing taste wrong."

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[sharp_man]

"There is no such thing," Hannibal assured her. "But I have no doubt you are experiencing it differently than a human would. Both your physiology and your psychology are vastly different. It's one of the reasons I've been so interested in your experiences."

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[era_two_triangle]

"A scientific interest, then," Peridot offered, sounding actually kind of pleased with that. If there was any one reason she could appreciate, that was the one. "I suppose you don't get to witness many people discovering taste for the first time, do you?"

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[sharp_man]

"You are the first," Hannibal said, smiling. "It really has been fascinating. Have you made any observations in turn?"

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[era_two_triangle]

Peridot considered for a moment.

"Broth is the easiest, for me," she noted. "I feel like there's a whole depth of experiences I'm missing out on by simply licking things, and humans don't seem to react well to watching me chew them and then spit them out again, but broths are all there is about them already. A full flavor experience, right there in one fluid."

A mostly savory, often salty one.

Re: Listen to the lecture!

[sharp_man]

Hannibal nodded. "And which tastes do you enjoy? Is there a pattern to them?"