Spaghetti Robots Hangovers & Chocolate

I like to go to the grocery store, the cheese shop, the farmers market – a bag of uncooked food is a world of possibility and wonder. However, market research contradicts my worldview - most consumers see grocery shopping as a chore. Japanese research and development teams are going one better than giving the spouse a list, ordering online and home delivery – a grocery shopping robot.

According to the press release “Robovie can wirelessly receive a list of items selected beforehand by the customer, carry the shopping basket, and make recommendations about what to buy.”

Italians Seize Pasta Makers. Not a Slow Food movement encouraging peninsula residents to make their own nor an Anti-carb police action - Investigators seize records from the 5 leading pasta manufacturers to search for evidence of price fixing after the 50% rise in the price of the queneaentail Italian food. Industrial Union of Italian Pasta Makers (UNIPI), claim innocence, so innocent they are appealing an EU fine for doing (allegedly) doing the same thing from late 06 to the beginning of 08.

Whiskey or whisky drinkers fare worse than vodka drinkers, hangoverwise. In a study, volunteers were given bourbon whiskey and vodka and asked to report on the physical effects. Those who drank whiskey reported more of the traditional hangover symptoms the next day. Congeners, the chemicals that provide the taste, body and coloring for whiskey and whisky also contain the chemicals acetone and acetaldehyde, which can't be that good even in trace amounts. Read the report by following this link.

The Ivory Coast, a country that supplies 40% of the world’s cocoa expects an abundant crop this year. Even with that piece of good news not all is well in the Chocoverse – Hershey’s bid to buy Cadbury has upset at least one person at the NY Times. Arthur Lubow lays out his grievances at the proposed merger here. At issue is not collusion, market share or high-minded fair-trade practices (or lack of them) rather the way Hershey handled the takeover of his beloved Scharffen Berger. Anglophile perspective here.

Study finds dogs are always ready to go on a walk. Not really breaking news but the research, which did not study belly rubs and chewy treats, has been peer reviewed and published. In fairness the report is really about people and exercise. Fred and Lily, the Saucydogs, are great companions. And there willingness to walk, exercise - get me outside more than I would go myself, even so a dog walking robot would be more helpful than a grocerybot, especially in Oregon's damp, chilly December