Dutch Delight: Borrelnootjes
EM periodically tests typical Dutch foods with help of international students under the name of ‘Dutch Delight’. This edition, Vietnamese IBCoM student Ngô Minh Công (18) tastes borrelnootjes.
The product
Borrelnootjes are a savoury snack: peanuts coated in a seasoned crispy layer. ‘Borrel’ means an alcoholic drink, ‘nootjes’ means nuts, which already suggests the appropriate context to have some borrelnootjes. Similarly, they are often called ‘cocktailnootjes’. Have some at a party with a beer or a glass of wine, or as the name suggests, a cocktail. You can buy them in any Dutch supermarket in a variety of different flavours, such as oriental or Mediterranean herbs.
The review
Ngô picks a few borrelnootjes from the bowl and tastes them: “They’re pretty dry. Not bad, but not really special. Just a snack.” He has never had them before, and doesn’t think he would ever buy them himself: “I mean, if I would get them for free, I’d eat them. But I wouldn’t buy them in a supermarket.”
After trying a few more, Ngô notes that they seem a little familiar: “They taste like pizza actually. Interesting.” All in all, borrelnootjes seem like an appropriate snack to have at a party, but nothing more. As they’re pretty dry, it’s best to have them with a drink, as the name already indicates.
Score: 2 out of 5.
1= I flushed it down the toilet
2= If you bought it anyway, eat it, why not?
3= Quite nice actually
4= Really good food
5= Best food I’ve ever tasted
