- Coffee, canned cherries and fondant cake are just a few of the items that our readers identified as having deceiving looks
- This week’s question: What is a habit you picked up from your parents?
Just because something looks nice doesn’t mean it will be tasty. Photo: ShutterstockThis week’s question: What is a habit you picked up from your parents?
To take part, drop us a line via this form or email us at [email protected] by 11.59pm on October 18. Tell us your name, age and school.
Our students weren’t big fans of these foods ...
Chau Sum-yin, 15, Pui Kiu College: Gummy bears attract people with their colours and adorable teddy bear shape. There’s no doubt they look appealing, and their flavours, like strawberry, lime, and orange, sound delicious. But unfortunately, they taste like medicine. When you chew them, you will notice they have the same texture as a rubber band.
Tac Cheng Cheung-fung, 17, Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School: In the past, I thought brewing coffee seemed like a cool, professional job, especially doing latte art and drawing extraordinary patterns and spellbinding pictures. But actually trying coffee changed my mind. The unsatisfying bitter taste surged into my mouth, causing discomfort and disgust. I will never forget that incomprehensible sensation.
Bethany Torres, 14, Ho Yu College and Primary School (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen): Animated food always looks so much better than any food I eat in real life; sometimes I wish I could just jump into the cartoon. Whenever I sit down and watch a Disney movie, I always get hungry whenever food is shown.
Jade Chan Hau-yu, 14, Ma On Shan St Joseph’s Secondary School: When I first saw canned cherries, they looked sweet, juicy and shiny. They make desserts look really fantastic and attractive. However, when I had my first bite, I realised their appearance deceived me. I couldn’t have imagined they would taste so chemical and artificial. It was the same as the cough syrup I took as a child. How awful!
Readers tell us the worst toppings that could go on a pizza
Anson Hui Sai-to 13, Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School: From the outside, guavas look like large pears. When you cut them open, you’ll see an appealing white or red colour. While they may resemble a hybrid of pears and strawberries, do they taste as good? Not necessarily. Guava can be either too sour or too sweet. They also have a very firm texture, making them difficult to bite and digest. Additionally, one should avoid drinking water immediately after consuming guava due to potential digestive issues. This arguably makes it a less beneficial food than pears and strawberries.
Yvonne Zhao Yiman, 15, Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College: Many bakeries make various styles and flavours of doughnuts. They are colourful and often have decorative icing to catch people’s eyes, especially children. But when I tried one, I realised it was too sweet. It was like eating five spoons of sugar.
Charmaine Kwok, 11, Heep Yunn Primary School: People are attracted to the colourful appearance of macarons, but they are too sweet for me. You would assume that different colour macaroons would have different flavours, such as strawberry flavour for pink ones or mango flavour for yellow ones. In fact, they taste almost the same. The only thing you can really taste is the sweetness. I don’t think they are worth the luxurious, high price.
Horace Chan Ting-ho, 14, TWGHs Li Ka Shing College: Foie gras, known as one of the “Three Great Western Delicacies,” has a smooth and velvety appearance that makes it visually stunning on the plate. I couldn’t resist tasting it. However, when I took a bite, I realised the taste of foie gras didn’t quite match its appearance. It’s overly greasy flavour was overwhelming and too heavy to enjoy. Also, it had a distinct liver taste that I wasn’t accustomed to.
What is your favourite after-school snack, and why?
Vienna Lai Wing-tim, 16, Christ College: Fondant cakes come in various shapes and are full of magnificent decorations that perfectly combine cake and art. Although they look pretty, the taste doesn’t match. The outer layer of a cake will be covered with fondant, which requires a lot of sugar to keep its shape. It is not only sweet but also tastes like clay. The only good thing about these cakes is their appearance.
Christine Chau Hoi-ching, 15, Yuen Long Public Secondary School: I’m not a fan of a Japanese dish called dango, which is perfectly shaped glutinous rice balls smothered with soy sauce served on a stick with a piece of seaweed. The way they look makes it hard to resist the temptation to take a bite. I had the chance to try one a few years ago, and I must say, it was extremely underwhelming. It tasted so plain that I couldn’t even finish it.