The Devil's Picnic by Taras Grescoe Why you shouldn't eat M&S poppy-seed biscuits in Singapore By Christopher Hirst Published: 27 March 2006
Displaying considerable energy and a varying amount of relish, Canadian journalist Taras Grescoe has chomped his way through a long menu of comestibles banned by governments around the world. Items on this gastronomic index include Norwegian poteen, Burgundian époisses (a cheese that's banned in the US), Cuban cigars (likewise), Spanish beef testicles, criadillas (likewise), Swiss absinthe, Bolivian coca leaves and the unlikely demonic snack of Marks & Spencer's savoury biscuits - banned in Singapore for their poppy-seed topping.
The book is packed with fascinating detail, both about the weird ways of legislators and the ingenuity of humanity in circumventing their interdicts. In Norway, where a bottle of Smirnoff costs US$50, supermarkets sell "suspiciously capacious drums of sugar and bags of yeast" and "airplane-sized bottles labelled Scotch Whiskey, Ouzo and Strand's English Dry Gin". These do not contain alcohol but are flavourings for moonshine. Grescoe notes the flipside of Norwegian puritanism. In 2001, "338 people died of drug overdoses, making Norway the drug death capital of Europe".
In the chapter on coca, he reveals the sole exception to a 1962 UN convention banning cocaine is when the leaves are used as a flavouring agent. This loophole "allows Coca-Cola to import 175,000 kilograms of the highest-quality South American coca every year".
______________________________ It's stay away from Malaysia for fear of vampires year!
"The word Fascism has now no meaning except insofar as it signifies 'something not desirable'." -- George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," 1946
High Post Count = Manliness and Importance
#2 Most Friendly Guy, Connoisseur of All Things Fine, Elitist Ass, and One of the Two Biggest Douchebags in the Forums
In the chapter on coca, he reveals the sole exception to a 1962 UN convention banning cocaine is when the leaves are used as a flavouring agent. This loophole "allows Coca-Cola to import 175,000 kilograms of the highest-quality South American coca every year".
Coca and cocaine are two different things like sugar and alchohol or hemp and pot. I'm sure that you would like to lump them together in order to suport your mindless conservative agenda. BUT... the fact of the matter is that one is very different from the other making your above statement one of stupidest things that I have read in months. Congratulations!
CD
---------------------------------------------------------------- #423 "O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers." Julius Caesar
Posts: 1951 | Location: NOR-CAL-USA | Registered: June 22, 2003
In the chapter on coca, he reveals the sole exception to a 1962 UN convention banning cocaine is when the leaves are used as a flavouring agent. This loophole "allows Coca-Cola to import 175,000 kilograms of the highest-quality South American coca every year".
Coca and cocaine are two different things like sugar and alchohol or hemp and pot. I'm sure that you would like to lump them together in order to suport your mindless conservative agenda. BUT... the fact of the matter is that one is very different from the other making your above statement one of stupidest things that I have read in months. Congratulations!
CD
ROTFLMAO!!! I did not write the review -- Christopher Hirst did. And Taras Grescoe wrote the book. Write Grescoe a letter if you think he is wrong. LOL!!!
You seem to know a lot about drugs, LOL!!!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Coriolanus,
______________________________ It's stay away from Malaysia for fear of vampires year!
"The word Fascism has now no meaning except insofar as it signifies 'something not desirable'." -- George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," 1946
High Post Count = Manliness and Importance
#2 Most Friendly Guy, Connoisseur of All Things Fine, Elitist Ass, and One of the Two Biggest Douchebags in the Forums
They have it for a little under $16. I read a couple more reviews that sound positive. I'm going to check the local store tomorrow and see if there is a price difference.
Still laughing about Cal-Dunce's post. If you're going to accuse someone of writing the "stupidest" thing you have ever seen, you better know who said what, LMAO.
______________________________ It's stay away from Malaysia for fear of vampires year!
"The word Fascism has now no meaning except insofar as it signifies 'something not desirable'." -- George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," 1946
High Post Count = Manliness and Importance
#2 Most Friendly Guy, Connoisseur of All Things Fine, Elitist Ass, and One of the Two Biggest Douchebags in the Forums
Originally posted by shortsqueeze: Do you expect any less from hcf?
Ohhhhh, you're asking for trouble with that post, lol. I think I hear them coming . . .
______________________________ It's stay away from Malaysia for fear of vampires year!
"The word Fascism has now no meaning except insofar as it signifies 'something not desirable'." -- George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," 1946
High Post Count = Manliness and Importance
#2 Most Friendly Guy, Connoisseur of All Things Fine, Elitist Ass, and One of the Two Biggest Douchebags in the Forums
Originally posted by Coriolanus: They have it for a little under $16. I read a couple more reviews that sound positive. I'm going to check the local store tomorrow and see if there is a price difference.
Still laughing about Cal-Dunce's post. If you're going to accuse someone of writing the "stupidest" thing you have ever seen, you better know who said what, LMAO.
You're the one that thinks that "It's interesting." I fail to see what is interesting about a book that prooves with out a shadow of a doubt that COCA-Cola might use some Coca. Wow. That does indeed sound "interesting" Goriolanus. Call the New York Times! Headlines Headlines Headlines...
Oh wait... I see that it does indeed contain the phrase "Cuban Cigars" in the first paragraph that must be it. You're right! Very news worthy and interesting story.
CD
---------------------------------------------------------------- #423 "O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers." Julius Caesar
Posts: 1951 | Location: NOR-CAL-USA | Registered: June 22, 2003
Originally posted by Coriolanus: They have it for a little under $16. I read a couple more reviews that sound positive. I'm going to check the local store tomorrow and see if there is a price difference.
Still laughing about Cal-Dunce's post. If you're going to accuse someone of writing the "stupidest" thing you have ever seen, you better know who said what, LMAO.
You're the one that thinks that "It's interesting." I fail to see what is interesting about a book that prooves with out a shadow of a doubt that COCA-Cola might use some Coca. Wow. That does indeed sound "interesting" Goriolanus. Call the New York Times! Headlines Headlines Headlines...
Oh wait... I see that it does indeed contain the phrase "Cuban Cigars" in the first paragraph that must be it. You're right! Very news worthy and interesting story.
CD
Keep digging, LMAO!!! No way out for you on this one, Cal-Dunce. You thought you had me and absolutely made (and continue to make) a fool out of yourself. Please, keep going, LOL!
______________________________ It's stay away from Malaysia for fear of vampires year!
"The word Fascism has now no meaning except insofar as it signifies 'something not desirable'." -- George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," 1946
High Post Count = Manliness and Importance
#2 Most Friendly Guy, Connoisseur of All Things Fine, Elitist Ass, and One of the Two Biggest Douchebags in the Forums
What are you talking about Cori? Are you on medication or something?
But hey... if you think that COCA-Cola using coca is "interesting" then please by all means buy the book. I was wrong it was a very insightful post.
CD
FYI- You might find it interesting to read up on Samual Adams Brewery... it seems that they actually use "Hops" in their beer. Interesting.
---------------------------------------------------------------- #423 "O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers." Julius Caesar
Posts: 1951 | Location: NOR-CAL-USA | Registered: June 22, 2003
