h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Joy of Eating Toast - A3921347
Author: bourne106 - U1505341

This is the first time I've put something up for review, so I would appreciate honest comment on what I've written.
Just be gentle...

Hi bournes106

I enjoyed reading your article about eating toast. Your writing is easy to read and I'm sure you will write lots of good entries for h2g2.

Before you go any further with this article, you should probably read the Writing-Guidelines - particularly the bit about not writing in the first person - and look at the existing Edited Guide Entry on toast, A592788.



Amy

Hi Amy

Thanks for that, I've taken out the first person references (I wrote the entry before seeing the guidelines... duh!) and I've put in a link to the other entry on toast.

I think this works?

Stu (my first name )

>>It has been proved that the majority of the best toast recipes were first discovered at this time of day.<<

Really? There's proof of this?

This is a nice addition to the previous entry.

You could, if you liked, include some of the reasons that toast persists in absence of the need for preserving bread. Certainly there was a time when people baked bread most every day, and discovered that day-old (or worse) bread was not easily 'freshened' by reheating but could be toasted to improve the flavor.

Nowadays, bread often has preservatives that keeps it soft for a few days, and it lasts even longer if refrigerated or frozen. Perhaps you could discuss the continuing advantages of toasting. It does, for example, make some sandwiches more secure. Peanut butter and preserves help hold untoasted bread together, but some condiments are more watery and make the bread soggy if it is not 'reinforced' through toasting.

I look forward to your entries in the EG.

Having looked at your toast eating methods I can deduce that you are a diagonal slicer. Not sure what this tells me about you though

I cannot do crust-last as I don't bother to cut the toast in half before I just wade in...

You have pretty good powers of deduction, but are slightly off the mark this time.

I used to a diagonal-slicer (A method normally inherited from your parents), but I am now currently working on a hybrid method. This is where I have combined the 'pick-n-mix' and the 'crust-last' methods.

The results are mixed at the moment... but I'll keep you all posted!

This is very good stuff!

IS;

Shouldn't that be: 'I'll keep you all toasted!' bourne106?

I toast your entry!

Everybody likes toast! (I wonder what reaction we'll get to this comment?)
'Well, where's your proof?'

Cheers

Heh! Very entertaining. Your obvious enthusiasm for charred bread is very infectious, and well written to boot.

Is it worth putting in a bit about the heat from toast changing the consistency of some toppings? Consider the difference between spreading peanut butter on bread, (where, contrary to an earlier poster, I have found that the bread seems to disintegrate,) and on hot toast, (where the heat of the toast 'melts' the peanut butter, making it easier to spread and much yummier). It's not all about which way round you eat it, y'know.

I always save the crust until last, 'cos it's my favourite bit. And I don't cut the toast at all. It's one big chunk for me!

Great stuff! I don't get to eat much toast anymore, but I love the stuff when I can, especially with peanut butter. Considering that food is something that people eat not just for nourishment but also for pleasure, could this perhaps be a jumping off point for a whole series of "The Joy of Eating" entries? As a foodie, I'd definitely love to see something like that.

There are at least two types of toast butterers too, those who like to butter hot toast so that it all melts and goes soft, and those who put the toast in a rack to cool before spreading.

I see that my joy of toast spreading, almost like a good dollop of Marmite on a hot slice!

I did consider discussing the many toppings and how best to use them, but I thought it made the it too long. Maybe a topic for someone else to take up as a future entry?

Don't start the Marmite debate.

We'll be here until doomsday.....

"Skimming the Top – A very complicated method, and is tricky to master. Here, the person uses their mouth to peel the topping off the slice of toast, leaving the crispy underside to munch on. Similar to the ‘Crust Last’ method but produces a more concentrated enjoyment of the topping."

But what if you, like me, toast both sides?

Wow a double-spreader! I never met one before, I thought they were just an urban myth!

...tell me, how do you cope with topping-spillage? ...are there only specific toppings that'll work? ...if so which combinations are there? ...does it force you into the crust-last method? ...how do you apply the second topping without making a mess of the first?

Please tell me your secrets!

Wait, I think I've gotten confused.

Your right, my mistake. (I guess they really are an urban myth)

In the 'Skimming' method you do toast both sides, but by using a melting topping (peanut butter is best) one side of the slice will go soft and gooey. This is the side that can be skimmed-off!

Yes, I've tried that.

How's this coming along?