topic Is maple flavor sophisticated? in Q Talk

Is maple flavor sophisticated?

mormel20 — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:25:11 GMT

I was watching "Gourmet Holiday" and they had a fudge presentation. They were going through the various flavors and when speaking of the Maple Nut it said for "sophisticated palates". Twice, in fact it was called sophisticated. When I think of the flavor of maple I think of a "down-home" or "country" type thing...not sophisticated.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

jbinrwc — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:26:51 GMT

@mormel20 wrote:
I was watching "Gourmet Holiday" and they had a fudge presentation. They were going through the various flavors and when speaking of the Maple Nut it said for "sophisticated palates". Twice, in fact it was called sophisticated. When I think of the flavor of maple I think of a "down-home" or "country" type thing...not sophisticated.

I agree.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Snowpuppy — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:28:51 GMT

I didn't watch but as far as maple syrups go, yes there are varieties.

You can get a deep, rich amber color and heartier flavor to match. I guess that may make it more sophisticated? 🙄

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Mindy D — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:42:34 GMT

Maple flavor for a pancake syrup is expected, so it could be thought of as ordinary...something you see everyday. Maple flavor for fudge is unexpected and not seen everyday so as far as the palate goes, it's for a sophisticated palate, one that veers off the tried and true to try something a little new. Those with a sophisticated palate have tried new things and developed their palete.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Josmad — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:41:11 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
Maple flavor for a pancake syrup is expected, so it could be thought of as ordinary...something you see everyday. Maple flavor for fudge is unexpected and not seen everyday so as far as the palate goes, it's for a sophisticated palate, one that veers off the tried and true to try something a little new.

I don't think so. Every place I go, that has fudge, almost always has a maple flavor.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Mindy D — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:29:59 GMT

@Josmad wrote:
@Mindy D wrote:
Maple flavor for a pancake syrup is expected, so it could be thought of as ordinary...something you see everyday. Maple flavor for fudge is unexpected and not seen everyday so as far as the palate goes, it's for a sophisticated palate, one that veers off the tried and true to try something a little new.
I don't think so. Every place I go, that has fudge, almost always has a maple flavor.

@Josmad It's available, but not as frequently tried...not as frequently chosen. It can mean that those that choose to try it taste outside the more traditional chocolate flavor, they're adventurous and with a wider range of tasing experience, they become discerning. From a selling standpoint, they use the term as a compliment to induce sales of the product. It's meant to flatter those that choose it. It's meant to make them feel they are somehow special and elite. It, the maple fudge, is not really very sophisticated but the QVC host is saying it is. Those that have a sophisticated palate can also mean those that have tried many foods that come from different cultures and have flavors less frequently seen as a part of everyday foods in a culture. Sometimes the foods do not taste very good to those trying it for the first time and the food can have what's called an acquired taste. A fondness for it might also be considered a part of a sophisticated palate.

I'll give you an example. I will order foie gras at a restaurant. I actually order two of them from the appetizer menu at a restaurant that serves continental cuisine. I have it served as my entree. No one else in my group of friends would order it when we dined as a large group. I've developed a taste for it. This would be years ago. I wish the restaurant was still open. Anyway, Klime, the European chef and owner, would always come over to me when I ordered it. He loved to prepare it. In France or other parts of Europe it wouldn't be unusual to order, but over here, it's for the sophisticated palate.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Carmie — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:53:30 GMT

I think maple flavored fudge is quite ordinary and common. I have had it many times with and without nuts.

IMO, I think Douglas Fudge in NJ makes some of the best tasting fudge using real cream.

They have at least 18 different flavors and all are wonderful. I buy it in person or on the internet and have it shipped. I have a pound left in my freezer.

I also make some great homemade fudge. I used to make a lot of different types of candies, but had to cut back because I wanted to eat it way too much...Yummy.

Call it whatever, sophisticated or not, as long as it's delicious.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

chrystaltree — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 23:54:33 GMT

Nit pick much? 😂

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:24:55 GMT

@mormel20 I thought the same thing when I heard Rachel say that. Maple fudge with nuts has been around for as long as I have. My dad's favorite! I never thought of it as sophisticated, but maybe my dad had a hidden side to him . That being said, I really like it, if it isn't too sweet.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Mindy D — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 00:38:28 GMT

@Josmad @It's hard to see, but the first word on the restaurant's review is "Sophisticates".

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

layla2450 — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:34:21 GMT

What a RIDICULOUS comment, but NOT surprising.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Trailrun23 — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:49:51 GMT

I am sure they were using the term "sophisticated" to try and sell more fudge...perhaps it would make customers curious enough to try it.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

IamDoodles — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:56:46 GMT

Just marketing propaganda. Ignore it.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

granddi — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 01:16:00 GMT

I learned at a Maple farm? in Montreal that the light syrup is the best. We asked about the dark maple. The guy said "that's what we put on baked ham."

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

AuntG — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 01:19:51 GMT

To me it signifies more of a down home flavor, nothing sophisticated.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

lavenderfields — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 02:36:06 GMT

I think that the richness of the butterfat and the other top quality ingredients would tend to give the maple a more sophisticated flavor.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

Josmad — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 03:19:28 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@Josmad wrote:
@Mindy D wrote:
Maple flavor for a pancake syrup is expected, so it could be thought of as ordinary...something you see everyday. Maple flavor for fudge is unexpected and not seen everyday so as far as the palate goes, it's for a sophisticated palate, one that veers off the tried and true to try something a little new.
I don't think so. Every place I go, that has fudge, almost always has a maple flavor.

@Josmad It's available, but not as frequently tried...not as frequently chosen. It can mean that those that choose to try it taste outside the more traditional chocolate flavor, they're adventurous and with a wider range of tasing experience, they become discerning. From a selling standpoint, they use the term as a compliment to induce sales of the product. It's meant to flatter those that choose it. It's meant to make them feel they are somehow special and elite. It, the maple fudge, is not really very sophisticated but the QVC host is saying it is. Those that have a sophisticated palate can also mean those that have tried many foods that come from different cultures and have flavors less frequently seen as a part of everyday foods in a culture. Sometimes the foods do not taste very good to those trying it for the first time and the food can have what's called an acquired taste. A fondness for it might also be considered a part of a sophisticated palate.

I'll give you an example. I will order foie gras at a restaurant. I actually order two of them from the appetizer menu at a restaurant that serves continental cuisine. I have it served as my entree. No one else in my group of friends would order it when we dined as a large group. I've developed a taste for it. This would be years ago. I wish the restaurant was still open. Anyway, Klime, the European chef and owner, would always come over to me when I ordered it. He loved to prepare it. In France or other parts of Europe it wouldn't be unusual to order, but over here, it's for the sophisticated palate.

I really don't think your example is comparable to maple flavored fudge.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

jackiejenny — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:09:58 GMT

You can go to any Amish community during candy season and get maple fudge.

Usually county/state fairs have it too.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

CalminHeart — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 11:04:10 GMT

I suppose sophisticated can be used many ways but it usually implies refinement, taste, haughtiness, or superiority.

The closest it might come to sophisticated is if it's directly out of a tree in Vermont. Even then, I would not consider maple syrup sophisticated.

Re: Is maple flavor sophisticated?

candys mine — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 11:24:06 GMT

I suppose if you don't usually have Maple flavour it's rare enough to be considered "Exotic" or sophisticated."

All I can really say is real Maple Syrup has a "sophisticated" Price Tag.