What’s your opinion on boba tea?

What's your opinion on boba tea?
What’s your opinion on boba tea?

As a wall, I don’t get to experience that joy, but I asked one of my helpers and she told me it was the perfect marriage of a delicious drink and chewy goodness. It does tend to be pricey, though, so you might want to explore the various make your own recipes on the internet.

Why does drinking Monster give me flashbacks of getting cut from my school’s varsity basketball team?

Why does drinking Monster give me flashbacks of getting cut from my school's varsity basketball team?
Why does drinking Monster give me flashbacks of getting cut from my school’s varsity basketball team?

I’m sorry Monster triggers unpleasant memories for you. Taste can be strongly tied to memories. This short article in Science Daily (bit.ly/TasteMemories) explains some of the underlying mechanisms. Maybe get your hydration and caffeination needs met with something else that doesn’t bring you back to a bad time?

Do you like Taiwan? Why? What is your favorite food in Taiwan (:?

Do you like Taiwan? Why? What is your favorite food in Taiwan (:? From OCAC_Boston :) I'm Taiwan not Thai
Do you like Taiwan? Why? What is your favorite food in Taiwan (:? From OCAC_Boston 🙂 I’m Taiwan not Thai

I love Taiwan. It’s such a crazy blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese culture, with Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist temples of all kinds, all of which have intricately carved & colorfully painted walls. I don’t eat (I am a wall), but one of my library assistants says to get scallion pancakes from one of the many walk-up windows, oolong tea, and if you’re into that kind of thing, squid-on-a-stick, a popular snack at seaside places like Yehliu. But you need more walls on tall subway platforms in Taipei, or else all the babies will blow away!

Sign in Taipei subway station, "be alert to strong wind" with image of baby in stroller blown off a platform
Sign in Taipei subway station, 2004

Chicken or the egg?

Chicken or the egg?
Chicken or the egg?

I have checked with my helpers and they like both chicken and eggs. There are so many ways to prepare and enjoy them. Do you have a favorite recipe?

Ales or lagers?

Ales or lagers?
Ales or lagers?

Why not both? Sam Adams’ new Sam ’76 is a blend of an ale and lager designed to appeal to the Budweiser crowd – my human friends tell me it’s pretty good for what it’s trying to be. Generally speaking, if you want fruity or more adventurous beers, you’re looking at an ale. Lagers should be crisper and cleaner on the palette (i.e. they should not have strong aftertastes like a stout or an IPA – both ales). Both have their strengths and both can be delicious.

Bar suggestions? {:þ

Bar suggestions? {:þ
Bar suggestions? {:þ

Oh man. So many options: Tiki Bar (it is summer): Blossom in Brookline, Bar by the Elevator near MIT Traditional Cocktails: Alden & Harlow in Harvard Square, Drink in Seaport, The Hawthorne in Kenmore Beer Bar: Lord Hobo near MIT, Publik House in Brookline, Deep Ellum in Allston Wine Bar: Spoke in Davis Square, Troquet in the Theater District Dive(ish) bar: Bukowski Tavern in Back Bay, Biddy Early’s in the Financial District, The Silhouette (or “The Sil”) in Allston Sports Bar: Game On in Fenway, Sullivan’s Tap in the North End (Bruins), Buff’s Pub in Newton Irish Music: Try Greenbriar in Brighton on a Monday night, there’s a cool traditional Irish music jam session starting around 7pm.

Is putting ketchup on eggs gross/disgusting?

Is putting ketchup on eggs gross/disgusting?
Is putting ketchup on eggs gross/disgusting?

As a wall, unfortunately I don’t have opportunities to try out different food combinations, so I can’t tell you my personal opinion on ketchup on eggs. However, I do find that food tastes vary widely between people and are really just a matter of personal preference. What might seem gross to some is a wonderful treat for others. I recommend being open minded when it comes to trying different foods and, if you find that you don’t like something, don’t judge others for making a different decision for themselves. In fact, being open minded and slow to judge others is pretty good advice outside of food preferences too!

Where can I get the best pasta in Boston?

Where can i get the best pasta in Boston?
Where can I get the best pasta in Boston?

You should head down to the Little Italy of Boston, the North End! This area of Boston is packed with some of the best Italian restaurants in the city, all boasting about how their homemade pasta is the best. Many of the walls in this historic district have heard patrons rave about how excellent their dinners were, but see for yourself! If you venture down there, you’ll see people lining the streets in queues just waiting to sit down and mangiano! If you’d like to stay a little closer to home, check out Carlo’s Cucina in Allston, which has a great North End feel. Or if you want something fancier & authentic & don’t mind a trek to Needham, try the spaghetti alla carbonara at Spiga.

Three part question

Three part question: 1. Di BC dining halls compost? 2. Does BC Dining Services itself (kitchen prep, catering, etc.) Compost? 3. If (2)=no, Who would I talk to to encourage Dining Services to compost? Thanks
Three part question:
1. Do BC dining halls compost?
2. Does BC Dining Services itself (kitchen prep, catering, etc.) Compost?
3. If (2)=no, Who would I talk to to encourage Dining Services to compost?
Thanks

The general answer is mostly yes! 1 – Corcoran and McElroy now have “post consumer food waste” composting for what’s left over after eating. 2 – Yes! All dining halls compost kitchen prep waste. As for Q3, several student groups such as UGBC Environmental Caucasus and EcoPledge have engaged with BC Dining to help bring this all about. BC Dining has several other initiatives regarding sustainability, see: bit.ly/BCDiningSustainability

Which coffee drink/roast has the most caffeine?

Which coffee drink/roast has the most caffine?
Which coffee drink/roast has the most caffeine?

The roasting process of coffee beans occurs at a high enough temp to destroy some of the caffeine molecules contained within coffee. So, contrary to expectation, light roast coffees have more caffeine than dark roast. Espresso has a high caffeine content (~150 mg) for its volume of liquid (~2 oz.), but less than a normal cup of coffee (~235mg in 12 oz.). Here’s a great list of common coffee drinks and their caffeine content: bit.ly/CaffeineList.

Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice?

Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice? I got it a lot early this semester at the downstairs vending machine and at Hillside. But suddenly I couldn't find it anymore :(
Why did BC discontinue the Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Raspberry bottle juice? I got it a lot early this semester at the downstairs vending machine and at Hillside. But suddenly I couldn’t find it anymore 🙁

BC subcontracts with the vending machine companies, who are the ones who make decisions about which products to sell in their machines. I recommend contacting the vending company to express your preferences: service@abvendingco.com. In the meantime, perhaps you could make a trip to a grocery store & buy several to tide you over until the end of the semester.

Any explanation for the recent replacement of original M&Ms w/ Raisinets in all the vending machines?

Any explanation for the recent replacement of original M&Ms w/ Raisinets in all the vending machines? Where can I submit feedback and is God punishing me?
Any explanation for the recent replacement of original M&Ms w/ Raisinets in all the vending machines? Where can I submit feedback and is God punishing me?

Perhaps God is testing you. This is almost as horrific as biting into that amazing chocolate chip cookie, only to find it is, in fact {shudder} oatmeal raisin. You can (and should, for the well being of all) send feedback to service@abvendingco.com.

Do pineapples belong on pizza?

Do pineapples belong on pizza?
Do pineapples belong on pizza?

Food questions are always tricky for the wall, because as a wall I cannot taste things. Often I am forced to turn such questions over to my minions who are always willing to risk burned mouths and tomato sauce stains on their shirts in pursuing these difficult questions. After their diligent and arduous testing a broad majority concluded that pineapples belong on pizzas: 59.1% in favor, 18.2% maybe, and only 22.7% opposed. Here are other toppings they recommended: Anchovies, goat cheese, fresh basil, onions, avocado, mushroom, sausage, arugula salad, peppers, a runny egg, left-overs from my fridge, ham, pineapple fried in coconut oil, kalamata olives, mushrooms, Bot pineapples, BBQ chicken, artichokes, extra fresh tomatoes, AND whatever you want! It’s your world, squirrel.

Pie chart showing BC Libraries staff response to "Does pineapple belong on pizza": 59.1% yes, 22.7% no, 18.2% maybe
Pie chart showing BC Libraries staff response to “Does pineapple belong on pizza” (44 responses of 100+ surveyed)

Sushi or Sashimi?

Sushi or Sashimi?
Sushi or Sashimi?

As a wall I do not have any taste buds, but my acolytes assure me that both are delicious. Sushi or Sashimi, like many things boils down to personal tastes. Do you prefer your raw fish to be served with rice and seaweed (and other things) or do you enjoy the purity of the fish to be unsullied by other ingredients? The choice is yours.