Bovril Taste Test Day is inconclusive

Winter League

Please Note: Some, or all, of the facts below may not be true!

Friday was the first day of the Pairs KO qualifying rounds at Thorpe Green which has become the traditional unveiling of the latest version of the much-awaited 2025-26 Bovril Brew. However there is some confusion around the production of the best version of the highly popular and well-proven beefy drink. That is because there are now two source versions available - a Powder version and a Paste version. Which provides the better drink to comply with the memory some of us have with the drink of old, always available at Winter sporting events?

The three ladies from the Thorpe Green catering team pictured above, with the packets of the Bovril Powder version are (left to right) Maureen Robb, Julie Whiteley and Josie Wadsworth. The scene is set for once and for all to agree the preferred version of this mug of unrefined memories. The Tasting Panel of Four assembled to, once and for all, determine which version produces the better copy of the ultimate sporting drink - Powder or Paste.

The Powder version is produced and it comes in a sachet of nine plastic cups each containing the right amount to produce a cup of the traditional drink that the makers believe that, mixed and well stirred, produces the ultimate brew.

The first pack of nine cups is opened. The Panel examine the list of ingredients which is extensive and includes a heavy proportion of Salt (not recommended), Celery (allergy alert), Ribonucleotides, Maltodextrin and a Caking Agent (none of them understood) along with onion extract and others of doubtful origin and long unpronounceable names.

This mix of ingredients is taken in good faith and is flushed with hot water (not boiling) and stirred within an inch of its existence to produce a concoction that doesn't invite a hearty mouthful all at once. It is like a fine wine. It should be taken in small doses until the hot edge to the drink is tempered down by the cold Winter air. The panel members nod knowingly to each other as they savour the samples put before them.

However we have a major problem with no paste version available on the testing day through an oversight on one member's part (no names) so the test is put back a week when we are assured that the Paste option will be available and we have to go through the whole routine once again. Well there are worse ways of spending a Friday.

Tune in for the results of the panel next week.