‘Best of Dave Chang Show’: The Origins of Fat Washing, Top Five Fruits, and the Bar Test With Dave Arnold
Jul 22, 2024
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Dave Arnold joins Dave Chang and Chris to discuss fat washing, originality in the culinary world, and the 'bar test' for cocktails. They rant about foams in drinks and share their top five fruits, including the best pears. The episode covers grilling techniques, flavor profiling, bartender skills, and the superiority of limes in cocktails.
Order simple cocktails at a new bar to test their basic drink-making skills.
Assess a bar's cocktail quality with daiquiri and Manhattan orders, not complex concoctions.
Avoid fancy cocktails to evaluate bartenders' proficiency; focus on classic drinks instead.
Critiquing sandwich naming conventions and mocking the term 'flavor profile' in food journalism.
Deep dives
Testing Bartender Skills with Classic Cocktails
Ordering a bourbon neat, a gin on the rocks, or a beer at a new bar to gauge their ability to serve simple drinks well. The simplicity of these orders ensures that even an average bar should be able to prepare them correctly.
Judge the Bar with the Daiquiri and Manhattan Test
Using the daiquiri and Manhattan as the litmus tests for a bar's cocktail-making skills. The daiquiri reveals the bartender's ability to shake a standard cocktail, while the Manhattan assesses their proficiency in preparation and stirring techniques without relying on complex ingredients or showmanship.
Avoid Ordering Complex or Uncommon Drinks
Suggesting against ordering elaborate or rare cocktails as a test for a bar's quality. The focus is on classic, straightforward cocktails like the daiquiri and Manhattan to truly assess the proficiency and skill of the bartenders, rather than relying on gimmicky or intricate beverage choices.
The Double-Decker Sandwich Debacle
Questioning the naming conventions of sandwiches, particularly the usage of "double-decker" for two slices of bread. Playful banter and deliberation around sandwich terminology, including the triple-decker with three slices of bread.
Criticizing the Use of "Flavor Profile" in Food Journalism
Expressing dissatisfaction with the term "flavor profile" commonly used in food journalism. Mocking the redundancy and unnecessary complexity of the phrase, suggesting that it unnecessarily complicates the simple concept of taste description.
Top 5 Fruits Discussion
The podcast episode delves into a lively debate about the top 5 fruits among the hosts. From discussing the virtues of apples and pears to defending limes and cherries, the hosts share their personal preferences and stories associated with each fruit. They banter over the best varieties and flavors, with watermelon emerging as a unanimous favorite for its refreshing and guilt-free indulgence. The conversation transitions into humorous arguments about the worst fruits, such as durian and fresh figs, with comical comparisons to candy preferences.
Importance of Centrifuge and Product Launch
Towards the end of the episode, there is a shift to discussing the upcoming launch of a new product, the next generation of spinzalls, a high-quality centrifuge. The hosts emphasize the versatility and quality of this equipment, highlighting its utility in various culinary applications. They humorously mention separating blood as a potential use, prompting laughter and banter among the hosts. The episode wraps up with a lighthearted promotion of Dave Arnold's podcast, social media, and innovative culinary products for enthusiasts to explore.
Dave is revisiting some of his favorite episodes and interviews for his ‘Best of Dave Chang Show’ series. In this episode, Dave Arnold joins Dave and Chris to talk about fat washing, which leads to a conversation about the merits of originality and innovation in the culinary world. Dave Arnold deciphers fancy-sounding bartending techniques and describes the “bar test” he uses to determine whether a bar’s cocktails are worth ordering. Plus: an all-time rant about foams on cocktails, and top five fruits, including the best pears money can buy.
Hosts: Dave Chang and Chris Ying
Guest: Dave Arnold
Producer: Victoria Valencia, Gabi Marler, and Euno Lee
