Mark, did you send some to me ? So far nothing has arrived.

I thought it's common knowledge that these stock cubes contain flavour enhancers ? Not necessarily only MSG but also stuff such as "yeast extract" (which is, essentially, also MSG). Glutamate is not necessarily bad per se (Parmesan contains LOTS of it), but some people do react to the monosodium version as I do, too.

Hhhm, most stock cubes contain MSG and other flavour enhancers. IMHO, that might be a pretty good thing to try out.

As someone who struggles to get certain british TV channels here in Germany ever since some new Astra satellites got launched I feel with the Irish. However, their own TV channels are so heavily geo-restricted that you can't get even get them in, say, England via satellite. So - who are they to complain

Chonk, I also live in Germany (Osnabr

If I can I'll also either order a Mango lassi or, if in a turkish establishment, I'll order an Ayran:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran

I'll need to try this banana lassi and see how it is. Sounds interesting. I don't know where to get rose water, though.

I'll second that. The german discount stores (Lidl, Aldi, etc) really make no fuss about returning anything if you are not happy with a product. I assume they have the same policy in the UK. They'll just give you your money back or a direct replacement if they have one and your device got broken. I have a fairly pricey AEG stick blender that keeps getting broken (the actual blending attachment looses connection to the motor) but while waiting for an, admittedly free, replacement I also bought a really cheap one from Aldi in the meantime (15 Euros). It has the same power rating, is just as loud but also works just as good. Plus, it hasn't broken down *yet*.

Personally, I'd label this one as "Urban Myth".

Microchip in food ?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/8824481/Chinese-restaurant-bankruptcy-fear-after-false-dog-meat-rumour.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049141/Chinese-restaurant-faces-bankruptcy-threat-false-rumours-diner-choked-microchip-served-dish-GREYHOUND.html
http://philosophydog.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/chinese-restaurant-diner-finds-dog-microchip-in-food-is-a-hoax/
http://www.petforums.co.uk/pet-news/160250-dogs-microchip-chips-tooth.html

"Cat's in the ladle": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH46SmVv8SU

Good general tip for pastes: It's worth adding just a little bit of salt when making the paste. It helps your mixer grind everything easier. At least that's what I found.