Classic British 'soaps' and the TV Dinner

'Soaps' is short for 'soap operas'. I'm not sure if the term is used universally, but it refers to long-running drama series. Soaps are a similar concept to Japanese 'doramas' or K-dramas. I think the nickname arose because in the past these dramas were often inter-cut with TV ads for soaps and detergents. 

The UK is famous for its 'soaps'. Some of them have run for decades, covering all sorts of contemporary social evolutions, and are well-known parts of British culture! Soaps are usually characterised by not-so-realistic storylines, being easy to watch/listen to (quite addictive!), and often broadcast during family viewing/listening times. 

Most British soaps are based in working-class communities. And they often clumsily try to weave  topical social issues (divorce, homosexuality, racial issues, bullying, homelessness etc) into their storylines. In later years, a lot of soaps also started to introduce ridiculous plots (murders etc!) to get higher ratings. Soaps are often broadcast on several days each week.

A classic UK trend during my childhood was to eat a 'TV dinner'. This means eating your evening family meal (often on trays on your laps) while watching a soap together. The main shows were screened at about 7pm = dinner time!

Tbh, I haven't watched any soaps since I was a teen - but here are some well-known UK ones. If you are not British, note the regional accents...

1. Coronation Street (known as 'Corrie') - TV
This series is set in the North of England, in a fictional town called Weatherfield. The series has been running since 1960! It covers the lives of local residents, who often congregate at a pub called the Rovers Return. There are elements of humour in Coronation Street, but on the whole the storylines tend to be depressing to watch (this is a trend with UK soaps!) 

2. Eastenders - TV
This soap began in 1985. It is focused on a fictional place in the East End of London, called Albert Square. It features the lives of local cockney residents, who often congregate at a pub called the Queen Vic. (Seeing any similarities here? ^^)  This show also has lots of depressing storylines, and some of the most miserable are traditionally screened at Christmas! (Happy happy!)

3. Emmerdale - TV
This one is set in a fictional, rural farming community in the North of England. It used to be called 'Emmerdale Farm' but in the late 80s, it got a trendy makeover to boost ratings. Suddenly it became a lot more 'racy' and glamorous! And while sleepy Emmerdale Farm was screened on weekday afternoons, the new version has a later, peak broadcast time. Emmerdale Farm started in 1972. 

4. The Archers - Radio 
Is set in a farming community in the English Midlands. The first episodes were broadcast in 1950, and it is the world's longest-running soap. The storylines cover (clumsily portrayed!) topical social aspects, farming, and the relationships of residents of a fictional, rural town called Ambridge, where the Archer family lives. The storylines are more lighthearted than those of Corrie or Eastenders! The show features characters of all classes.

The Archers was first introduced to encourage farming after WWII, when Britain needed to boost agriculture. It's just a regular drama now, though I think it might appeal to older generations than some of the other UK soaps! 

My grandmother and mother used to listen to The Archers. In our household, the weekend Omnibus edition would often be on the radio while traditional Sunday lunches were being prepared :)

Listen: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qpgr/episodes/player


Honourable Mentions: The Aussie Soaps
Aussie soaps Neighbours and Home & Away were HUGELY popular in the UK during the 80s and 90s. I am not sure if they're still being broadcast there? These soaps were altogether more sunny and cheerful than the UK ones, and were screened at about 5pm. They were an absolute must-view for housewives, and most University students!

Other Classic UK Soaps

• Hollyoaks (1995-present) - unrealistic lives of a group of plastic young people in a fictional town near Chester in England. 
• Brookside (1982-2003) - depressing drama featuring the residents of fictional Brookside Close in Liverpool. The close (a group of houses) was actually built in real life, and the series was filmed there.
• Crossroads (1964-1988 - resurrected briefly in the 90s) - low-quality drama set around the fictional Crossroads Hotel in the North of England.

Nitro Coffee - gimmick, or worth another try?

This stuff has been around for couple of years worldwide. It originates from bespoke coffee houses in the USA, apparently. And this one came to Singapore via Korea. I rather like coffee, and had been curious for some time to try it. 

What is it? 
A cold coffee, which is infused with tiny nitrogen bubbles, which apparently alter both taste (richer, sweeter, smoother) and texture (creamier). It is served from a pump, like beer. And to all intents and purposes, the black version pours, looks and settles just like a Guinness! 'Cold brews' (coffee made by steeping beans for ages in cold water, rather than quickly with hot water) are all the rage these days, it seems - but not all are also Nitro.

I tried black Nitro coffee for authenticity. My friend had the milk (white) version for contrast. 

The Verdict
It's OK. Tbf, we had a disappointing experience with the venue we chose. The service was snotty, and the black brew was served with about 60% ice (as well as being cold from the tap!) which watered down both texture and taste. So I can only review on this basis.

Texture: seemed unremarkable, but might be different without so much melting ice! Taste: definitely less acid, and sweeter than a regular black coffee (which is normally far too sumpy for me). But the flavour was, again, heavily influenced by meltwater! The white one was nice enough, milk-shaky, looks pretty - but nothing special about flavour or texture compared to other coffees. 

The cost comes in at about $2 more than a regular coffee (the white one a bit more). I am still not sure if it's worth trying this stuff again, maybe at a better venue? Or might it just be another hyped gimmick, like Frozen Foam Beer and other things? If I do try, I'll let you guys know! 

Where it is served in Singapore: some branches of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf have Nitro pumps. (This applies in other countries too.) Some Starbucks branches also have it worldwide; and probably smaller, craft cafe outlets in your area :)

[Avoid: Boyles Coffee Singapore if you prefer nice service, and don't want to pay $5 for ice!]

Also on this blog: 

Frozen beer foam beer