FOOD AND DRINK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20273, 6 April 1934, Page 1

FOOD AND DRINK.

Changing Public Palate in Britain. LONDON, March 26. The Food and Wine Society, recently formed to cultivate tfie art of eating and drinking in Britain, held an Empire wine-tasting function m a West End restaurant in answer to the criticism that the society had not given Empire wines a fair trial. Some of the greatest British and French experts were present. The society did not give an official verdict, which was left to individual guests, but the “ Daily Express ” representative, after asking opinions of guests, says that the experts w’ho camto sneer remained to drink. All declared themselves surprised and delighted. The theory that economics directly affect gastronomies is advanced on account of the striking change in Britain’s diet in the past few years. It seems that the economic stress has been largely responsible for the turning from potatoes to grapefrut, from joints to salad or ice cream. The “ Daily Telegraph ” inquiries among vegetable dealers, provision merchants and caterers show that lately there has been a pronounced demand for foods, some of which were unknown here before the war. Not ably there has been an enormous increase in the consumption of grapefruit, oranges and lemons. Among the many reasons advanced for the change is the spread in motoring and the week-end habit, smaller families and fewer servants, a desire for variety and well-balanced meals the growth of “ dietetic consciousness ” and the high tension and anxiety caused by the pressure of modern conditions. The last-named is producing a tendency to eat lightly of vegetables and salads instead of heavy, leisurely meals.