Peach, Nectarine, Plum, Apricot

Apparently, there has been some problem with my comments system. And I am still not able to solve it. I tried removing the codes, this and that, and it didn't work out. So anyway, here comes another post. Let's see how the comments system is this time.

But yes! Thank you for your email, and your answer: Peach, Nectarine, Plum, Apricot is absolutely correct. :-D

Peaches look similar to nectarines, but their seed looks very different. This peach seed is dry to touch, like a peach stone should be. It also has pits/little holes in it. If you crack it open, you might actually find something that looks like a raw almond inside. The skin is furry, and is therefore a closer relative to the apricot, who is also furry.
The nectarine on the other hand has a wet and furry seed, and it's skin is smooth and almost shiny. Not furry like the peach at all. The smooth skin brings a sour tang to the taste buds when you bite into its sweet and fragrant flesh.
The plum also has a smooth non-furry skin that gives a sour tang, just like the nectarine. Amongst the four, this black plum is the sweetest. We get this in Singapore quite often, don't we? We also get another smaller variety called the sugar plum...that one has a slightly red-ish purplish color.
Last but not least, we have the apricot, which is has a fuzzy exterior like the peach! I wonder whether the furry-ness of the apricot and the peach dulls down any sour taste of the skin? Because I don't get a hint of sourness when i bit into these fuzzy fruits. The size of the apricot is of course quite small, and it bears the resemblance of dried apricots, even in size!

How come a grape can shrink into such a small raisin whereas the apricot has almost the same size when it is dried? Perhaps the apricot has more solid mass and the grape has more water content.

It has a mild sweet taste, definately not as sweet as the plum. But it is not sour, unlike the dried-apricot of which some acid was involved in the process of preservation. And what really hits you in each bite is the distinct fragrance of the apricot. Mmmm...
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So, did you guess 'em right? ;-) Have a great week!

Guess the Fruits in season

Living in a country with four seasons, I'd think that Blueberries are currently in season, because they are are selling abundantly in supermarkets, and are getting cheaper.

Here are four very similar fruits that are also in season.

EVERYBODY! From Left to right, are you able to tell which fruits are what?

In the comments box, give your answers as 1.___ , 2.___, 3.____, and 4.____, and must have all four correct, then I will announce who is right. I have a feeling that this might be too easy, but everyone, just try for fun ok! And if there's more than one comment, try not to see other people's answers (I trust you ;-) hahaha).

Ok, just in case there are people in the audience who don't eat fruits (Aiyoh why you don't eat fruits, so unhealthy!) and can't tell what the fruits look like on the inside, perhaps you might be able to tell which fruits are what if I let you see what they look like on the outside.

SUBMIT your answers in the comment box NOW!

Free Pastry with Any Beverage at Starbucks!

What a bargain! Take a look at this:
I decided to check it out this morning, and yes it is true! The offer ended at 10.30am, and I was there at 9.30am++, and it was not crowded, and still had plenty of pastries left, beautifully displayed. :-)

I ordered the signature hot chocolate, but they ran out of it, so I got myself the regular hot chocolate (which is less rich than the signature one), Tall, for $2.85. All the pastries such as the raspberry scones, muffins, bagels etc look so pretty, and I got the prettiest one, the "Cheery Cherry Pie" which was billed as 'Tart Cherry' $2.25 as you can see in the green box, followed promptly by the next line that it was 100% discounted because it was Free Pastry Day.

But frankly, it was not a free pastry day? It was just a few short morning hours which ended at 10.30am, not a full day event. ;-) Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

I tried to check online what the price of a Tall Hot Chocolate in Singapore would cost, but "check here check there" cannot find leh. Tricky Starbucks... Can someone check the price, and post it in the comments please? I wanna compare! Hehehe.
One thing I know though, Starbucks here is trying to promote it's pastries by touting it to be real good food made from real fresh ingredients. I wonder if it is this year's new idea because it says (C) 2009. Here's what the front and the back of the paperbag says (someone check if Sg is having the same promo?):

Front: "REAL FOOD. SIMPLY DELICIOUS. We've got good news. We removed the artifical transfats, artificial flavors, artifical dyes and high-frutose corn syrup. Now your food not only tatstes better, it is better. We hope you enjoy the difference."
Back: "Hi, We're making a change. Using simpler recipes and taking out artificial ingredients. So your food not only tastes better, it is better. It's a start. But we think it's a good one. Hope you do too. Enjoy. Your Friends at Starbucks P.S. More to come."

Maybe that's why they're giving away free pastries this morning. And it's true, it's pretty good. The shortcrust melted and crumbled well, and was not too buttery. The cherry fillings inside had whole cherries. Definately not maraschino cherries from a can, possibly fresh cherries made into a cherry jam preserve/filling. Good healthy morning. :-)