Originally Posted By Liberty Belle On the weekend, Mum had a really sweet dessert and then said "I need something savoury now". That got me thinking. I'm pretty sure I heard once from someone (I think it was even on here?) that Americans don't use the term 'savoury'. So my questions: - Is that right, or was the person who told me craaaaaazy? - If so, is it a case of "we know what it means, but just don't really use it" like "fortnight" or a "what the heck does 'savoury' mean?" sort of situation? - If, indeed, you don't use it, what do you say when you feel like eating something that's not sweet? If, indeed, you were my mother polishing off her bread-and-butter pudding and ice-cream and then craving something savoury, what would you say? - Why do I care so much about this? Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated
Originally Posted By Lil Mermaid I heard the word "savoury" from time to time. Yet I read a lot of food and restraunt review blogs. I use it for dishes that aren't sweet but delicious in a dessert sense. Great example is breadpudding or sweet potato bread. Things of that nature. HTH
Originally Posted By chickendumpling - Is that right, or was the person who told me craaaaaazy? Probably a little bit of both. - If so, is it a case of "we know what it means, but just don't really use it" like "fortnight" or a "what the heck does 'savoury' mean?" sort of situation? I think it is a "fortnight" sort of situation. Plus, we spell savory differently and tend to see it only in commercials for cat food. We do however use the term "UNsavory" a lot, but that's when we're referring to people. - If, indeed, you don't use it, what do you say when you feel like eating something that's not sweet? That hasn't ever happened to me. - If, indeed, you were my mother polishing off her bread-and-butter pudding and ice-cream and then craving something savoury, what would you say? I don't know because to me bread and butter pudding itself is savory. Maybe I'd just say, "Mmmmmmmmm, I need me some more of that bread pudding!" LOL. I do feel it necessary to say that dumplings are considered savory by some. - Why do I care so much about this? 'Cause you're crazy like the rest of us which is why we like you so much.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Hahaha! Love the answers, thanks!! >>I don't know because to me bread and butter pudding itself is savory.<< Yeah, I should've mentioned - this was a much-sweeter-than-usual-bread-and-butter-pudding. Plus, there were about 3 scoops of ice-cream on top so all in all, it was pretty sweet! We say unsavoury too, and I've always wondered - doesn't that mean you're essentially saying the person is sweet? Oh, soooo many questions about this word! LOL.
Originally Posted By DJ7K Great question, Liberty. I've sometimes had trouble finding the right word to describe something the opposite of sweet - no particular reason. However, um, when my Grandfather sent my Dad his recipe for crepes years ago, at the end he explains, "This recipe is for making dessert crepes, if you wish to make a lunch or dinner crepe, omit the sugar." Then my Dad further explained basically the difference is one is sweet and the other is savory, or heheh savoury =) >> Plus, we spell savory differently and tend to see it only in commercials for cat food << Oh yes. I haven't noticed it as much in the commercials when I used to watch tv, but on the labels of the cat food I noticed it. I think we should spell savoury that way more often in the states. The last 4 letters go well with the word devour. (alright just nevermind about that )
Originally Posted By beamerdog Savory foods: spaghetti & meatballs Casseroles vegetable bakes hollandaise sauce I think of savory foods as those with the opposite of sweet. But not just salty, there's got to be some other flavor involved. I rarely use that word, but often think it. My family might look at me funny. 'xcept for my SIL who used to have a catering business! And maybe if I ever met Alton Brown, lol.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm interesting. I had never really heard it before I moved to the UK. But it is used all the time here (like fortnight). Before moving to the UK, I had never really heard it in the US other than the context of an "unsavory character".
Originally Posted By Tiggirl I use "savory" a lot to describe food... Maybe I'm not really American... ~Beth
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I savor something when I crave it. And two things my English family savors in California is Poor Man's Rice Pudding, and Bird's Eye Custard on hot apple pie. Now that is something to savor(anticipate and enjoy for a lenghthy time)!
Originally Posted By DJ7K >> Oh, now I want crepes!! << You may not wanna visit IHOP's website then. You'll want them even more, as that is their current promotion right now, or featured dish.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I use "savory" a lot to describe food... Maybe I'm not really American... ~Beth*** Well, there is that anti-popcorn issue, IPB. What's next, dissing Apple Pie? Go back to Russia, ya commie!
Originally Posted By Mr X I've heard natto (rotten soybeans over rice) referred to here as "savory". I don't see it, myself.
Originally Posted By DJ7K Actually I just looked it up, the correct spelling is savoury. And here is more info on the subject from our friends at Answers.com/Wiki: <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/savoury" target="_blank">http://www.answers.com/topic/savoury</a> >> Well, there is that anti-popcorn issue, IPB. What's next, dissing Apple Pie? << Oh don't be ridiculous. Popcorn and apple pie are favorites in every nation. *Quickly becomes naive* Churros however are found only in America! =)
Originally Posted By LuLu Somehow the word savory makes me salivate ;-) I don't use the word when speaking, but it doesn't make me think of dessert at all. More like something with an herb or spice to it. And a bit of salt ;-)
Originally Posted By friendofdd savo(u)ry <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/savoury" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.co.../savoury</a> pungent <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pungent" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.co.../pungent</a>
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Ha, this is really interesting, thanks for all the insights! >>More like something with an herb or spice to it. And a bit of salt ;-)<< That's how I use it. Well, I use it for basically anything salty and not sweet. Looking at the link DJ shared, it looks like some people use it for things that are 'savoured' or delicious as well, which isn't really how I use it. As for the spelling issue, I'd say it's just like things like colour and flavour - they have the U in Australia and the UK, but not in US spelling.
