Sunday, February 19, 2006
What's in a name?
This morning's Wales on Sunday reports that Marks and Spencers' has tried to rename the traditional Welsh cake. They have been discovered marketing this Welsh delight as 'Currant Drop Scones'.
When tackled by BBC Wales programme 'X-Ray' a spokesperson said: "Previously, this product was only available in Wales, Scotland and the South West - we wanted to offer this delicious product to our customers throughout the UK and have therefore used the more recognisable name of 'Currant Drop Scone'."
A former National Chef of Wales is quoted in the paper as explaining that the two products are very different. A Welsh cake is made from dough he says, whilst a drop scone is made from batter and is more of a pancake. Marks and Spencer has relented and will be using the correct name from now on. If you see them, buy some. They are delicious.
All this renaming of food products is very topical of course. However, the two most recent examples came about for ideological rather than marketing reasons. The Americans renamed French fries as 'Freedom fries' to protest against French opposition to the invasion of Iraq. Now the Iranians have got in on the act:
Tehran, 7 Feb. (AKI) - Iran has decided to rename Danish pastries "Mohammedan" pastry - a new twist in the crisis which has triggered protest by Muslims throughout the world against cartoons of Mohammed first published in Denmark. The name change recalls when some Americans started calling French fries, "Freedom fries" to protest France's opposition to the United States-led invasion of Iraq.
I suppose renaming Danish pastries avoids the sacrifice of boycotting them altogether, but what a fuss and what does it achieve?
When tackled by BBC Wales programme 'X-Ray' a spokesperson said: "Previously, this product was only available in Wales, Scotland and the South West - we wanted to offer this delicious product to our customers throughout the UK and have therefore used the more recognisable name of 'Currant Drop Scone'."
A former National Chef of Wales is quoted in the paper as explaining that the two products are very different. A Welsh cake is made from dough he says, whilst a drop scone is made from batter and is more of a pancake. Marks and Spencer has relented and will be using the correct name from now on. If you see them, buy some. They are delicious.
All this renaming of food products is very topical of course. However, the two most recent examples came about for ideological rather than marketing reasons. The Americans renamed French fries as 'Freedom fries' to protest against French opposition to the invasion of Iraq. Now the Iranians have got in on the act:
Tehran, 7 Feb. (AKI) - Iran has decided to rename Danish pastries "Mohammedan" pastry - a new twist in the crisis which has triggered protest by Muslims throughout the world against cartoons of Mohammed first published in Denmark. The name change recalls when some Americans started calling French fries, "Freedom fries" to protest France's opposition to the United States-led invasion of Iraq.
I suppose renaming Danish pastries avoids the sacrifice of boycotting them altogether, but what a fuss and what does it achieve?
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What slightly irritates me is the modern practise of selling hot cross buns throughout the year, instead of just at Easter. If I was a practising Christian I'd be annoyed at this , and if I was a practising member of another religion I'd be equally annoyed.
As for Danish Pastries ... don't the Scandinavians call them Viennese Bread anyway?
As for Danish Pastries ... don't the Scandinavians call them Viennese Bread anyway?
I found something much like a hot cross bun but with wavy lines, a while back. Tasted much the same.
Just 3 more designs needed, and I can use them in ESP experiments.
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Just 3 more designs needed, and I can use them in ESP experiments.
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