The average human tongue has up to 8,000 tastebuds ready to identify each morsel we consume as salty, sweet, sour, bitter, or umami/savory. Yet, we often do not include taste in the stories we write. Today, give your busy tastebuds a little love as you choose a travel memory where taste takes center stage.
Remember, the maximum word count to post every day is 750 words, the equivalent of three (3) double-spaced, typewritten pages. You can write fewer words but not more, and all words count, even the little ones. If you haven’t yet watched the
If you’d like, use the handout below to create a cluster or mindmap of possible story ideas. Print out several blank cluster diagrams and use them to focus your story on a moment that involves only a few people and a short period of time. If you’ve not yet watched the Brainstorm Your Stories by Clustering video, you may want to do that first.
When you’ve settled on what you wish to write, create a draft of the story, post your work in the comments section below, read a few of your fellow challengers’ stories, and include a word or two of encouragement. Happy writing!
Taste story- some we like and some we don’t
Gerry,
An interesting approach to pimentos. While I like them and use them in a fair number of recipes, I’m not so sure about soup.
Sounds like you had a fun trip anyway.
I’d like to hear some more from the trip. Seems like there’s much more to add.
John
Here is my story titled A New Thing, highlighting sense of taste…and gelato. 🙂
All feedback welcome.
Hello Lisa Marie, A great story, beautifully narrated. You took the reader on an engaging journey, from beginning to end. Guess I can identify with your mother, I, too, would be having that special taste and flavour every day and then some.
Great story my friend. Wonderful you engaged the reader with dialogue. Gelato was a new experience for me when I was in Rome. Once I found out what it was, my friend and I had gelato every day for 2 weeks. Great stuff.
Lisa Marie, you never cease to amaze me, first with your fantastic writing skills, your Ohio heritage,and now with your Italian life and lingo. Loved and understood your “Close the door, you born in a barn.” I, too, grew up with that expression.
PS thanks for telephone help, my other daughter got the icon back on my phone and think Zoom hooked up, will check it out tomorrow. Challenge marathon has consumed me.
Thank you and you’re welcome, Jackie. Glad you were able to get it all worked out.
Thanx LM,
I’m sitting here at 2330 hours eating Capaccino Crunch, thanx to you.
Nice story.
Lisa, I love your story, and I LOVE Gelato. My favorite is tiramisu. Thanks for your great descriptions.
Day 3 – traveling to and from school, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight grades my after school snacks were true culinary tasting treats.
Here is my story about taste. Enjoy!
Julie,
Good descriptions of the food. I just finished breakfast. But now I’m hungry again.
BTW, we stayed in Punta Cana almost twenty years, when it first opened to tourists. Food was good. The beach was unnerving, as there were guards armed with semi-automatic weapons everywhere. I caught the blackjack dealers cheating several times and wound up staying out of the casinos. Other than that, we had a great time.
John
Day 3 Word Count 99
Once again Thierry, you amaze me.
Thierry, How creative! So many different tastes and different locations. Yum! Your descriptions made me hungry! Thanks for sharing!
Very creative, Thierry. Many different tastes packed and an interesting design, also. All the variety and different locations…kind of like a cruise but with words.
Day 4 Word Count 345
Thanks for sharing Thierry. Excellent writing that grips the reader and takee us along your journey, Look forward to reading more of your writing.
Thank you for reading, Lorna. My writing in english is at a turning point as I understand more how to convey events and feelings for the reader to enjoy.
Wow, Thierry – such excellent writing. Enjoyed all the descriptions. Understood the parallels. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Julie, my approach to writing is shifting. Feedback has a lot to do with it.
Thierry, I felt right at home with all of your 345 words. At first I thought what a neat way to brainstorm and then realized all of your statement were aligned to what I had come to believe was my own rattled brain. I am sure others feel the same way. I loved it and what a neat writing challenge. Be sure to repost it on Day 4.
Loved your Day 3 – taste ingenous just list the food.
Thank you Jackie, yes we are not alone in our brain patterns and thoughts.
I love all foods, I chose to make it simple as simple dishes leave long impressions sometimes.
Ah…those travels within! Such beautiful language and images! Really – your English is quite expressive! A truly lovely piece.
Thank you Robin, so much to discover in writing on english territory!
I enjoyed your poetic piece, Thierry. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Etya, your loyalty as a reader in keeping an open mind to all is soothing.
My pleasure
Day Three – A story of one of my best trips.
Nancy, what a unique story. Your trip was so well described. I was right there with you. I love to snorkel. Thanks for sharing!
DAY THREE. posted on Day Four.
Dar, the taste of wild strawberries lingers within, once you are deprived of it going through life. Wild blueberries have always been my favourite except for wild strawberries which sweetness is not matched to this day. Aren’t we so priviliged to have been part of that world? Thank you again.
Dar,
I’m a meat and potatoes guy. But I had the whipped cream ready after this one. If I wasn’t on a low carb life system, I’d be eating short cake right now.
Nice trip.
John
What a wonderful recollection, Dar. You took me with you to the top of the hill, the search for crocuses and the dandelions wreath, and then to the bottom of the poplar tree where the wild strawberries grew. My favorite line was: “With each delightful morsel I would close my eyes, hum involuntarily and savour the sweet gift from the heavens.”
Day 3
Linda, loved, as Etya pointed out below your vivid taste descriptions below and I, too, tasted the heavenly foods of the Amish. I have Menonite roots and have listened to tons of books on tape of the Amish and Mennonite community, but this is the first time I read a person actual account of tasting their foods. Thanks.
Thanks,Jackie
“…I bit into the
buttery, flakey crust as the sweet, tangy filling oozed out, hitting my taste buds. The
wonderful sweetness melted in my mouth. I was in heaven!
Good to the last bite.” Great description, Linda. I love apricots, but never had a turnover with it.
If you love apricots, you have to find an apricot turnover to taste. You won’t be disappointed!
A descriptive story of a fun fall road trip. You live in beautiful country. I sneaked a peak on Google to find out where you were. It sounds like you know where to look for the shops and food along the way.
Thanks Nancy, The ironic thing is we now have an Amish
community living much closer to us, which takes some of the charm out of it.
Thank you
Nice description of a delightful fall road trip. I liked “beautiful apples and warm cider.” The ending tied everything together!
Thank you
Linda, thank you for sharing a one-day adventure that brought back sweet memories of Amish country in Michigan. You and your buddies jammed a lot into a one-day trip. Your picturesque writing (flapping in the wind; aromas wafted) made me feel like I was on the trip with you. Thx for sharing.
Thanks for the kind words, Rose
My Day 3 writing is attached.
What a nice memory. I know that seeing something with family makes it that much more wonderful. You wrote with warmth and sentiment. Good job.
I have been to Interlaken, and I have eaten fondue there as well. One of the most beautiful cities/towns in Europe, I am sure. Your memories rekindled mine. Well done.
Raymond,
Good descriptions of not only the countryside, but your mom as well. The “tribe of eight” was special.
John
Raymond, great story. You described your trip so well that I went along with you and your family for a ride. It was a wonderful gift you gave you parents, a small repayment for what they did for you.
As a mother, I feel special when either one of my sons invites me on a trip with them. I am sure that being with you and your brother made this trip even more special for your parents.
Raymond, that was a beautiful gift for your parents. Your planning and caring were evident in the majestic agenda. I loved the ending. A very nice story written by an appreciative son.
Enjoyed a glimpse into Europe, its sights, and the fondue.
Here is my story for today. Hope you enjoy and i would appreciate receiving your comments
Your story makes me want to hear more, Lorna, or read more. Thank you for sharing, and yes that meal sounds divine!
Thank you for your encouraging comments Lauren. Glad I was able to communicate my experience with the meal!!
Lorna, I loved your story. It taught me some history about the islands that I was unaware of. The description of the meal was wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Etya, Pleased you loved my story. Your positive comments are so encouraging.
Thanks for the overview of Trinidad, Tobago, Venezuela and Jamacia and how they influenced your life. Your description of Caracas helped me visualize a big, vibrant city. I loved your description of the food.
Nancy, Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your positive comments.Mean a lot.
Lorna, I could taste that meal and it made me want to fly to Venezuela! Nice description of a place I’ve never been. I liked your description of the houses, “tightly packed and precariously perched.” I’m sure you have lots of other interesting stories about the Caribbean.
Nancy, Glad you could visualize Caracas in some way, and glad that you could taste that meal. It was an experience that I have shared countless times.
Here is a very short draft of a much longer story. I wish I had time to say more.
I couldn’t download the story.
Oh, I had fun with this one! And I’m caught up! Here’s my entry for Day 3: I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant. On first sight, it didn’t seem memorable, or even promising. The usual Italian color scheme of red, green, and white dominated the entry, a flat façade in the middle of a strip mall on James Island, just outside Charleston, South Carolina. Planted on the sidewalk by the front door, a rotund plastic chef, complete with the iconic hat and a pencil moustache, waved one arm endlessly back and forth, back and forth. It… Read more »
I enjoyed your story, it made me want to sit back, relax and enjoy a scrumptious meal. I had a similar experience in Palm Springs, California, but it really had red and white tablecloths and I had a pizza.
A lesson in (never judge a book by the cover) which works with people too. As usual another good story by a very good writer. Thanks for sharing.
Terry, this is a beautifully laid out story — from the beginning to the end I was captivated, wondering what would come next. Lots of detail to keep me reading. You described the ambiance of the restaurant as well as the flavors. Nice job.
Great descriptions! I could see the waving chef, almost taste the meal.
This was a great read. I would say it was up to professional standards. The descriptions were wonderful . Keep it up.
A great story, Terry. I liked the suspense you build and enjoyed your descriptions. The deceiving description of the restaurant’s appearance reminded me of a hole in the wall Sammy’s restaurant in Delancy, New York. The ending was great.
Moussaka.
Moussaka is a good tasting dish. I make it sometime.
Nice description of moussaka Norma. Now I want to make it. LOL!
Mouthwatering story. Thanks for sharing this Mediterranean dish.
I’m hungry…and I love recipe books. This should be in one.
That photo and recipe could be in a cookbook! I saw the layers as you described them; I could taste those layers, too. Succinct yet thorough!
Yum! Did you have any Retsina? A bitter wine…
Here is my Day Three story.
Sheila,
You pissed me off with this one. Since I grew up in Brooklyn, you have my mouth watering. While I’ve had many black and white cookies in my life, I could handle that. But cheesecake, especially from Juniors (originally from downtown Brooklyn), was a hit below the belt. Cheesecake is the national food of Brooklyn, USA.
How am I gonna sleep now?
John
John: https://www.juniorscheesecake.com/all-items/
Thanx Sheila,
I can’t get over the prices for those cakes.
John
Wow, Sheila, you made me miss New York and its theatres. When I lived there, I also preferred little mom-and-pop restaurants to visit. I miss having this luxury while living in Florida. My favorite line: Cheesecake in New York City is like heaven in a plastic clamshell box.
Wow. A smorgasbord of restaurants. How could you choose? I didn’t know there were so many kinds of cheesecake.
What a delightful trip leaving you with great memories. Well told. Thank you.
Sheila, a fun read. I loved that you saved your money to go back to NY and do all your favorite things: theater and food. Nice variety of flavors. Makes me want to go!
Eating your way through New York in sandwiches and cheesecakes; what a way to go. You had me at Snickers Cheesecake.
Here is my Day 3 story.
Awesome itinerary Orah (I just hit the wrong key and it read Oprah). Had to be a wonderful cruise. My only question is the decaf cappuccino. That’s a contradictory of terms.
Lovely story, Orah. I enjoyed it!
What a trip! Philadelphia to Seattle, with a stop in Vegas, to Alaska for a Jewish New Year cruise, then to Central America (with many stops along the way) through the Panama Canal, to Caribbean to Florida and back to Philadelphia. Hope I have this straight. I would love to have a decaf Cappuccino, I will have to look for one. What a wonderful, fulfilling trip for you.
What a pleasure to be a presenter on cruise ships! The variety of salmon dishes sounds delicious. Hope you get a chance to do that again.
Sounds like a wonderful trip!
Patricia, Lauren, et al,
After walking the dog, I poured a vodka, returned to my laptop, and thought about beer. It’s been a strange day. But I think (THAT) I rallied.
Love this story John. A story about taste and I am seeing a parallel with life. All of a sudden, you lose the taste for something, be it beer, music, etc. But its a shifting unto something else, different but engaging.
John, you sounded like a connoisseur of beer. Great job on the description! Loved the story.
I have to say, I had a taste for beer before the age of 18 as well. When the age for drinking lowered to 18 from 21, I was 17. The bartenders took a while to figure out who was underage. My favourite was Kokanee, in British Columbia. I am afraid I have turned into a teatotaler, who drinks many kinds of tea and coffee, but I enjoy the memories of my beer drinking days. I enjoyed your story.
John, I must say this story brought many giggles and memories Your story reminded me of two guys in my photography group. We would stop in for an after shoot drink, and these two guys started at the top of the beer menu and drank their way down the list to the bottom. I on the other hand was a wine ‘snob’ and sipped away politely. It was always fun hanging with them and the rest of our creative group. p.s. It this were my story, I would delete the last line and replace it with….something like….I don’t know why.
Odd The Villages had that effect on you….I am in Montana for the summer – they have tons of breweries! And a pretty good assortment of bourbon hangouts. But, when I’m in Florida (Palm Coast) we tend to sip vodka and gin…ooops….did I say “sip”…more like guzzle…heh, heh.
I enjoyed this story. Lots of good descriptions. Easy to follow. It was educational for me also. Thanks!
John, You gave me more of a beer education than I ever want to know…never acquired a taste for the stuff. But I think we have a younger friend with whom you’d enjoy hanging out.
I was rolling when I heard your description of Salt Lake City and the Polygamy Porter. My daughter is there now on a business trip and I’m going to pass your tip on to her. Not a place you’d expect to have any alcohol at all.
Sheila,
If she goes to Wasatch, tell her to buy a tee shirt. They’re a hoot.
John
John, your stories are always as light as a good light beer. Nice job.
Thanx Orah.
It’s been a busy week so far. I’m trying to catch up on my readings. Glad we have the weekend to catch up.
Ooops…my story disappeared? I’ll try again
What a lovely story. I could smell the fenugreek, the all spicy, cardamom and cumin as I read your story. Turkish coffee is the best when made with the right blind of coffee beans. I love it! Thanks for giving me a glimpse into your culture. And, yes, I knew why you eat with only one hand.
You were probably the only one who knew why the left hand was not used! Thank you for your comments!
I enjoyed your description of a different culture and way of life. The way you wrote about the Doro Wat engaged my sense of smell and taste beautifully. I especially liked the part about eating with the hands, the delicacy of it, and the lack of clattering forks and metallic taste. Nicely done.
Hi Robin. I loved your description of the Doro Wat. This seemed to be a stable influence in your life. I like how you incorporated food with the people in your life.
Robin, I enjoyed your story. It provides a wonderful portrayal of how food brings people together and creates connections. You provided a detailed description of Dora Wat and how it is eaten. Thanks for sharing this experience.
Thank you!
Day 3
I hope you’re not getting tired of stories about my swearing dad and my childhood travel adventures. Here’s another one. My dad loved meatloaf! Cheap hamburger molded into a loaf and covered with ketchup, that’s what he asked for on his birthday and any other day he was given a choice. His mother, our Grandma Grace, taught her six kids how to swear, how to avoid the law, and how to love meatloaf. It took years for my mother to perfect this dish because Grandma never wrote down a recipe. Her instructions were: a hunk of ground meat, some onions, some crackers, a couple… Read more »
Ivy and meatloaf…comfy family traditions. You did a great job of creating a feel of nostalgia for the reader. Did the ivy catch on among the siblings like the meatloaf did? Isn’t something how your mom created stability among all the moving, with two simple traditions. “Then, we knew we would be safe and happy in our new home until we had to move again.”
Wow, Nancy, what a colorful description of your life. “Suddenly, I had an urge for meatloaf. Joyce said she would be happy to make it for us, and she did. It was the best goddamn meatloaf we had ever tasted, and she wrote down the recipe.” This was a perfect ending and a beautiful homage to your father.
Your mother’s meatloaf won your Dad’s heart. It was great that your mother brought stability to your life by keeping traditions and routines and of course, Meatloaf.
I am sharing this story with my table mates here at the retirement home. I hope you don’t mind. I know they will enjoy it as much as I did. I would have loved your Dad, swearing and all. You must have a thousand or more memories of him, thanks for sharing.
Great story of a caring family and its stick to your ribs meal.
Lovely, heart-wrenching, beautifully centered around the meat-loaf with a bit of cussing motif!
Day 3. Hello fellow travelers. Here is my story.
Oh Etya, I loved your story and wonderful descriptions, especially ‘knees holding up chin’ in car. My husband and I, on a one day, self toured, subway to Vatican from train station, then on bus to Colosseum where we walked the old Roman ruins, Colosseum and then urged by another tourist to San Pietro in Vincoli, an off-the-beatten-path church up a side street where Michelangelo’s sculpture of Moses (an unreal treat) pizza at a place in the plaza there. We then walked onto the Pantheon area and relished in it’s sights. We have no pictures as our camera was later… Read more »
What a sweet memory. As with so much of your writing, the sense of history is a strong theme here. I’m impressed by Yefim’s resourcefulness and quick grasp of Italian. I love the humor of the car ride (“my legs supported my chin”) and the way you tried to connect the unfamiliar pizza with a dish from Russia.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story of Italy. You brought out the sights and sounds of the city by your descriptions of the Coliseum and the Statue of Moses. I loved your description of Pizza.
I appreciate your comment, Nancy.
Wonderful story. Your description of Moses was almost mystical. Hail tasty pizza.
Thank Orah.
What a powerful description of the statue. I could feel your connection to it. What an amazing experience. I loved your description of the pizza. You had quite the adventure that day. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading.
Wow! What an amazing day! Moses AND pizza! Wasn’t it Michelangelo who felt he was releasing the image from the stone – that it resided there before his chisel made its first bite.
It was. He could look at a slab and envision what was inside,
Etya — what an exciting life you have lived! I’m enjoying your adventures. You described a fun way of discovering a new delicacy! I loved “my legs supported my chin.” Your story had a nice build-up with a satisfying punchline at the end.
Thank you so much, Nancy. I are a good critiquer.
Etya,
I loved your description of the statue. Your words are powerful. Great description of discovering pizza.
Thank you, Millie. I hope Pizza one of the foods you like.
Hello fellow writers,
Here is my entry for day 3. Let me know what you think.
Rare moments of savouring. I am not such a desert person myself and totally was in the moment with you in Louisville. Could one suggest your business life was at the image of ingredients from that Kentucky Derbie pie? A rich fulfilling creer?
Millie, you had me at “The warm chocolate melted in my mouth, the hint of bourbon, the crunchy nuts mixed with the ice cream, I was in heaven. It could snow all night. I was going to sit at this table and savor every bite. I did think about licking the plate, but I thought it might be overboard, especially since I could get a second slice. I didn’t. My flight was called.” I am not a big fan of chocolate, but the entire concoction sounds intriguing. Now, I want to bake one. Off to find a recipe for Kentucky… Read more »
I enjoyed your food travelogue, and boy did your description of being a picky eater resonate! I was infamous as a child for clinging to plain ham and chicken, forget the local cuisine. The description of the Kentucky pie made me hunt for a recipe, and the way you set your discovery in the middle of a crowded, snowy airport gave it added impact. Not a place you’d expect to get a taste of heaven.
I am glad you found the Kentucky Derby Pie at the end of a long day. I enjoyed your story of the foods you don’t like as you travelled.
You just made my day. Love, love, love your writing. Your descriptions are super.
I have made Kentucky Derby Pie, which I think goes by other names too. My friend from Louisville used to have an annual Derby Day dinner with fried chicken, various sides, and pie for dessert. She is older and no longer entertains but your story brought back happy memories for me.
I liked your description of all the foods that were not up to your standards. Since I have not eaten sugar or drunk liquor in 25 years, I am afraid the Kentucky Derby pie was lost on me, but it sounds great if you like that kind of thing.
Your description of the Kentucky Derby Pie made me hungry. I need to try that. What a treat to find something you liked at the airport of all places. I liked the description of foods and how you altered them to satisfy your ‘picky pallet.’
Bourbon! The only sad thing is…I believe the alcohol evaporates out when cooked.
Great description for someone who likes plain food. Loved “picky pate.” I could really feel your frustration with the snow and your search for something to eat. How lucky that you found just the right thing. Delicious reading.
Here is my story for Day 3. Confession – The original is a story I wrote several years ago. I made some minor edits for today’s challenge, it fit the criteria so well. Still my favourite memory of a meal.
Note – AG in the name of the restaurant is the symbol for Silver, so each letter is pronounced.
I like the surprise ending. I think you got an extra special meal. By your description it seemed delicious especially the dessert.
Inspired cuisine, inspired eating and inspired writing. Beautiful sensual descriptions of the food. Nice writing, “Mom.”
Thanks Orah.
So funny!!! You must be very proud of your son! Hope he cooks for you when he’s home!
Thanks Robin. When he is home and I am cooking I will often say, “How would you do this?” That’s usually all it takes to get him into the kitchen and doing the cooking. I learn a lot from him.
Rose — beautiful story. You mentioned some dished I’ve never had: amuse bouche and bacon jam! Makes my mouth water. Your description of the restaurant and the food was delicious. Loved the “symphony of tastes.” The ending really made me smile! Nice job.
Nancy, Thanks for taking the time to read my story and for your comments.
Rose,
I was delighting in all the sensual details, describing the room and each dish. What a surprise. Loved it.
Thanks so much Millie.
Patricia,
You finally got me. I got up at 0330 and jumped on my laptop. It’s 0420 right now and I’m totally brain-farting. I have a 1000 tee time. I’m in conflict mode right now. Can’t come up with a story ………… Can’t sleep.
But have no fear (like you’re really fearful), I’ll work something out.
Gonna try the sleep thing again.
John
I bet you’ll feel better after hitting a few balls around…