Christmas lunch can be intimidating. You see the cousin who has a thousand university degrees. The other one who’s doing work with abused children. The auntie who, as far as you can gather, is in charge of a lot of people, and most possibly the entire city.
As you put your game face on to see the family, readying your responses and deflections: “no, I do not have a partner, but how’s your ex?” “Yes, I am still at the same job, how was your trip to South America?” “No, I haven’t got any plans for travel, where’s the wine?”
You can rest assured that you are in control with at least one area of sophistication. Yes, you can tell the difference between cheeses. And not just any cheeses – brie and camembert cheese. The comparison that that has everyone, everywhere stumped. I doubt your sister’s boyfriend who-pretends-to-be-arty-but-really-isn’t won’t be able to do the same.
The best passive aggressive Christmas presents. Post continues below.
Take the victories where you can. Multiple university degrees are one thing. Knowing cheese is something else entirely.
Here’s how you tell the difference. Learn your lines. Have them at the ready. There’ll be no more questions about your finances or relationship status. They’ll all understand: she knows what she’s doing.
Production
Brie and camembert are made very differently. Understanding the foundations will put you ahead of anyone who can make a lucky guess as to which is which.
Cream is added to brie during the cheese-making process. There is no cream in camembert. This mean brie is 60 per cent milk fat, compared to camembert’s 45 per cent.
