Thursday, June 17, 2010

Because Every Country Needs Circular Pasta

Today's excursion into British groceries involves something called "Branston Spaghetti Loops".

The label shows something similar to SpaghettiOs.

They taste like a slightly blander version of SpaghettiOs, if you can imagine such a thing.

The label claims ingredients such as Paprika, Onion Powder, Clove Extract (??!!), Capsicum Extract, and Garlic Oil.
I can personally attest that no such flavors are evident in any way.

(Wait... I should probably spell "flavor" with a "u" when I'm referring to British stuff.)

There was way too much sauce, and not enough "flavour".

(There, how's that?)

I'm curious about something, though. There are heating instructions on the label; it includes directions for microwave and for "hob".
Judging from the context, it would appear that a "hob" is a stovetop. I've never heard this term before. (Have you?)

Other oddities:
* It says "maize starch" instead of cornstarch.
* It has "wholewheat" as one word instead of two.
* Fiber is spelled "fibre".
* One of the ingredients is "Vitamin & Mineral Mix".
..... (I feel healthier already.)
.

12 comments:

whall said...

I thought you knew that when something has "flavour" it's mutually exclusive with having "flavor"

Anonymous said...

Yeah, it's tyre not tire and colour not color LOL.

Been a while since I've had the Branston loops so cannot recall the taste, didn't know they had some of those ingredients in them.

I eat spaghetti O's although they do smell weird in the can I think.

A couple of my favorite canned Brit foods are Heinz Oxtail soup and Heinz Macaroni and Cheese which is very pale yellow almost white and is yum on toast.

nonamedufus said...

You're saying it's bland? But of course. Who do you think came up with the distinctly unappetizing-sounding bangers and mash?

Anonymous said...

Capsicum? That's like chili powder, right? To bad you can't taste it in it. I'll bet it would be good.

I swiped something from you. Hope you don't mind.

Chris said...

I think I can even alter the commercial jingle to make it work . . .

"The neat new spaghetti that tastes kinda like poop, UH-OH, Spaghetti Loops."

Maybe not.

MikeWJ at Too Many Mornings said...

I barfed up a can of SpaghettiO's when I was kid and can't even look at a can of them--or anything similar--without feeling quesy all these years later. So your richly described and illustrated post had me wanting to turn the hob on, wait until the room filled up with gas and then light a match.

Monkey Man said...

Wait! You're trying to tell me that SpaghettiOs/loops have flavo(u)r? Reediculous. I'm not buyin' it.

PattiKen said...

Well, at least you're healthier. that's something.

Anonymous said...

So when do you try haggis?

Janna said...

Whall: I'm beginning to wonder!

Miksplace: I do have a Heinz item I'll be reviewing in a few weeks. By the way, had you heard of the "hob" before? Is it really a common term over there?

nonamedufus: It is very, VERY bland. Very. I have to admit I'm intrigued about "bangers and mash", both because of the name, and because it involves sausage. I'm a big fan of sausage.

AliceAudrey: I agree; capsicum would have been great if only I could've tasted it!

Chris@Knucklehead: LOL! It was so bland it didn't even taste like poop. :(

MikeWJ: So does "hob" only refer to a gas stove, or does it include electric stoves as well? Or are ALL British stoves gas-powered? Oh, and by the way, please don't light that match. At least not until you've answered my question.

MonkeyMan: Rather the opposite; I'm warning the world that they are entirely devoid of flavour. :)

PattiKen: LOL! Better than nothing, right?

probablydontlikeyou: Gaaahhh! Thankfully, it does not appear to be available at my local grocery store. Words can not express my gratitude.

Anonymous said...

Hob, yeah what we call the cooker,or the stove over here.

Bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potatoes) is yummy with brown sauce and Heinz baked beans.

Janna said...

miksplace: Sausages and mashed potatoes? That doesn't sound so bad... Is it just plain regular sausage? Or does it contain things I'm better off not knowing about? (Truth be told, there are probably a lot of sausages here in the States whose ingredients I'm better off not knowing about).