What does "mealy" mean? - Recipes & Cooking Advice - Eat Your Books

Forum

Welcome Guest! You can not login or register.

Notification

Icon
Error

What does "mealy" mean?   Go to last post Go to last unread
#1 Posted : Monday, January 8, 2024 6:19:33 AM(UTC)

Pleased to see the book "Vegan Cheese" appear on the library bookshelf. One of my household is dairy intolerant (amongst others) and switched to a commercial vegan cheese until it became apparent that there was something in it to which they were also intolerant.


Flicking through a copy of the book I notice, at least, one recipe that used the word mealy which I do not understant (in a culinary context). Could someone enlighten me as to what texture the author is actually refering to as I would like to make my household member some walnut parmesan to top off the gluten-free pizza I make for them on a regular basis.

#2 Posted : Monday, January 8, 2024 9:31:15 AM(UTC)

I take it to mean dry and crumbly, the consistency of cornmeal.

#3 Posted : Monday, January 8, 2024 1:31:52 PM(UTC)

 


(mli IPA Pronunciation Guide)


ADJECTIVE

Food that is dry and powdery can be described as mealy.

...the mealy stodge of pulse, grain and potato dishes.

From Collins online.




#4 Posted : Monday, January 8, 2024 2:52:04 PM(UTC)

"Mealy" always makes me think of large chunks of potatoes that have been frozen...once thawed the texture/mouthfeel can be...well... "mealy" :)

#5 Posted : Monday, January 8, 2024 4:00:33 PM(UTC)

averythingcooks;49507 wrote:
"Mealy" always makes me think of large chunks of potatoes that have been frozen...once thawed the texture/mouthfeel can be...well... "mealy" :)


That is perfect.  Very mealy. 

#6 Posted : Monday, January 8, 2024 6:01:50 PM(UTC)
And mealy seems to be “first cousin” to “sandy” — the texture that shortbread is to be processed to make a crust.
#7 Posted : Tuesday, January 9, 2024 9:12:31 AM(UTC)
IME "mealy" is an unpleasant texture, something you don't want to produce in your food. Unpleasantly unsmooth.
#8 Posted : Tuesday, January 9, 2024 10:56:46 AM(UTC)

ThePatheticBaker;49503 wrote:

Pleased to see the book "Vegan Cheese" appear on the library bookshelf. One of my household is dairy intolerant (amongst others) and switched to a commercial vegan cheese until it became apparent that there was something in it to which they were also intolerant.


Flicking through a copy of the book I notice, at least, one recipe that used the word mealy which I do not understant (in a culinary context). Could someone enlighten me as to what texture the author is actually refering to as I would like to make my household member some walnut parmesan to top off the gluten-free pizza I make for them on a regular basis.


have you see the Netflix series "you are what you eat" ? Mentions breakthroughs in vegan cheese !

#9 Posted : Friday, January 12, 2024 3:46:49 PM(UTC)
I think “mealy” is very different depending on what kind of food you are talking about.

If it’s describing a dough or something grain-based, then something akin to “crumbly and sandy”. (Neutral to positive connotation.)

If used for vegetables and fruits, it’s usually negative: the texture is unpleasantly soft and mushy, probably also a little grainy - not yet spoiled, but not as crisp and fresh as it ought to be (e.g. a mealy tomato or apple or potato).
#10 Posted : Friday, January 12, 2024 9:19:46 PM(UTC)

Mealy is hard to describe, and sometimes unpleasant, but not always. Mealy apples are soft, grainy and bland instead of being crisp and flavorful. They've been in storage too long. Yuk! Nobody wants a mealy apple. Mealy potatoes, on the other hand, are potatoes with a lot of starch and a dry texture, as opposed to waxy potatoes. Mealy potatoes are preferred for recipes like mashed potatoes and potato cakes, and waxy potatoes are for potato salads. 

You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.