Re: [CH] Pairing wine & food....

GarryMass@aol.com
Thu, 22 Jun 2000 17:21:08 EDT

In a message dated 6/00 1:21:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cpd@world.std.com 
writes:

<< Bitter is as far beyond
 > sour as pluto is beyond mercury.  I can't think of a single food item I
 > would categorize as truly bitter.  

bit·ter
Pronunciation: 'bi-t&r
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English biter; akin to Old High German 
bittar bitter, Old English bItan
Date: before 12th century
1 a : being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is 
peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion 
of hops -- compare SALT, SOUR, SWEET
The commercial hop (Humulus lupulus), native to Eurasia, is grown for the 
conelike female flowers, called hops, used to impart a bitter flavor to beer. 
Quinine is bitter and is used in a soft drink known as tonic, which is often 
mixed with alcoholic beverages. Excessive use may cause cinchonism, a 
condition characterized by ringing of the ears, dizziness, and headache.
Caffeine is slightly bitter.
bitter cress: any of a genus (Cardamine) of cruciferous herbs that produce 
flat pods and wingless seeds
Arugula anyone?  Dandelion greens?  Oh well, don't be bitter.
Garreth