What I've learned on the Orchid Board

[WhiteRabbit]

Dondurma
Dondurma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Two qualities distinguish Turkish ice cream: texture and resistance to melting. Inclusion of the thickening agents salep, a flour made from the root of the Early Purple Orchid, and mastic, a resin, impart chewiness.

more results for 'orchid ice cream' https://www.google.com/search?aq=0&o...chid+ice+cream

[Connie Star]

We had a holiday dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, and it came with orchids on the plate- they were dens. I asked if I could have the plants but they said they throw them away. I may just have to lurk by their trash bins.
They really had no discernible taste, and not much texture.

[Pelepel]

Connie, not even salt and pepper could save that dish? LOL

Too bad they throw them away, though! I could ask them to donate them to your "rescue" program!

I was looking up the orchid ice cream, and recalled reading it in the novel "Orchid Fever" where they explain the whole process. I would LOVE to try some. Turkish icecream I believe? I know the Greeks make it as well. I've had mochi ice cream..wonder if the texture is the same?

[Coconutmuffn]

Mmm... my orchid collection began after my cat developed an expensive (vet bills) craving for my toxic houseplants. I had to re-home all of the plants and was left with so many bare windowsills. Luckily, the cat is not as inclined to nibble on the orchids.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Coconutmuffn

Mmm... my orchid collection began after my cat developed an expensive (vet bills) craving for my toxic houseplants. I had to re-home all of the plants and was left with so many bare windowsills. Luckily, the cat is not as inclined to nibble on the orchids.

A few times there have been threads started with a title along the lines of "Help! My cat ate my orchids!" and my first inclination is to tell them not to worry, orchids aren't toxic - tho I realize that wasn't what they were upset about

[jrodpad]

Recently, my dog ate/tore apart a whole bunch of my orchids (phals, prags, paphs, etc.). I was on the phone with the ASPCA's pet poison control (who knew?), giving the Latin names of the victims to the operator. One by one she ran them all through the ASPCA's database and they all came back non-toxic. Wish I would have read Bud's post - it would have saved me $65!

- J

[keithrs]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

We had a holiday dinner at a local Chinese restaurant, and it came with orchids on the plate- they were dens. I asked if I could have the plants but they said they throw them away. I may just have to lurk by their trash bins.
They really had no discernible taste, and not much texture.

They probably buy cuttings... They sell them at Asian food stores quite often...

[SydneyH]

jrodpad: Now I know to save the $65 if one of my animals munches on my orchids. -Sorry about your orchids though.

Sydney