Branston Pickle - well sort of!

Branston Pickle represents a real problem area of food for me. Firstly its a bit like a sauce and I do not eat sauces. Secondly its got bits in and those bits are vegetables which is even worse. Thirdly the smell of it is very strong and it looks.... well.... it looks as though it has already been eaten once!

It is most definitely not a safe food for me. It is also one of the last things I would ever think of trying. However last week I was eating dinner with Dad and we were having cold chicken which I do like as its plain and not threatening. To liven it up for himself, Dad was having some Branston Pickle with his. I was curious as to why he liked this "sweet pickle" and asked him what it tasted like. Unhelpfully he replied "it tastes like Branston Pickle"!! He then suggested I try a bit. Hell no! He then said "don't try the bits just dip your finger in and taste the sauce". Hmmmm....... Could I do that? I was curious. But was I curious enough to do that?

Well in a moment of abnormal bravery I opened the jar and plunged my little finger in. I thought I would do my usual "very tip of my finger to only get as little as possible on my finger to try" style. Instead I stuck my finger in the jar quite a way. Without really thinking I then stuck my finger in my mouth and licked all the brown pickle off! My Dad was shocked I had done it, but not as much as I was!! I then did it twice more (with different fingers obviously!).

Now I have not suddenly converted to eating pickle nor did I try any of the bits which are part of the pickle. However the brown sauce bit was not disgusting. I didn't retch and I didn't feel sick afterwards. It was a strange taste. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it either.

Its not really a successful tasting in the sense that I have added a new food to my diet, as I haven't. But it is a success that I managed to try it without triggering a panic attack, I could put it in my mouth, shut my mouth and swallow it and think about the taste! I have no idea why this worked or whether I did anything differently. I can only hope I have other successful tastings which might add to my diet and of course the new treatment might help.