Aromatic alternative: Combining pipe smoking with a food snack

[LudwigB88]

I’m curious if anyone else snacks while smoking their pipe. I asked because today I was smoking some Black House (my favorite English/Balkan) and in between puffs I had some very fine dark (85%) chocolate and the mixture of smoke in my mouth with the chocolate was terrific. I’ve flirted with aromatics, but the problem I always have (others concur) is that you get room note, but very little taste. So I’m curious if others combine their pipe smoking with snacks such as nuts, chocolate, dried fruit. Mind you: I’m not suggesting that one smoke their pipe while eating a hamburger. Although that might be fascinating. I recall years ago watching an Anthony Bourdain video where he visited the world famous French Laundry restaurant, and the chef prepared a dessert with extract of Marlboro cigarettes, since Bourdain was a smoker. Apparently the dessert was fantastic.

 

[bullet08]

I don't eat when I'm smoking. I do remember people eating and smoking when smoking was allowed in restaurants. But I personally find that tobacco mixed with food isn't exactly what I'm looking for as far as culinary experience is concerned. Drinks, on the other hand, do compliment smoking rather nicely.

 

[warren]

Enjoying a reheated slice of pizza with a pipe smoldering in the ashtray as I type this.

 

[LudwigB88]

I don't eat when I'm smoking. I do remember people eating and smoking when smoking was allowed in restaurants. But I personally find that tobacco mixed with food isn't exactly what I'm looking for as far as culinary experience is concerned. Drinks, on the other hand, do compliment smoking rather nicely.

I completely understand your point. I always drink while smoking pipe. But never alcohol ! I think booze/alcohol deteriorates mouth lining and could cause health issues combined with smoking.

 

[LudwigB88]

Enjoying a reheated slice of pizza with a pipe smoldering in the ashtray as I type this.

Haha ! Hope the tangy Virginias pair nicely with the tomato sauce !

 

[LudwigB88]

Enjoying a reheated slice of pizza with a pipe smoldering in the ashtray as I type this.

I love me some nice marbled blue cheese! Years ago I picked up a very aged tin of C&D Opening Night that had the most incredible almost blue cheese or almost roast garlic note. I’ve had that experience with some well-aged cigars as well. Almost like clams oreganato. Amazing stuff !

 

[Chasing Embers]

Rarely ever seated when smoking, so no.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

I do notice the additive effects of various food/beverages to the tast of pipe tobacco being indulged in. I have found several food/liquid enhancements that I would sometimes snack upon to give pipe tobacco a special added flavor. Like with you, I have found it so with chocolate, for example.

 

[LudwigB88]

I do notice the additive effects of various food/beverages to the tast of pipe tobacco being indulged in. I have found several food/liquid enhancements that I would sometimes snack upon to give pipe tobacco a special added flavor. Like with you, I have found it so with chocolate, for example.

Thanks for validation !

 

[growfood]

Now I can justify splurging on some Mexican stone ground chocolate, for the science of it all.

 

[SBC]

The only pairing that ever struck me as more than the sum of its parts was a pipe with coffee.
Specifically a balkan with medium roast sumatran.

I don't doubt that chocolate worked for you, but smoking and eating are pretty compartmentalized for me.

 

[LudwigB88]

The only pairing that ever struck me as more than the sum of its parts was a pipe with coffee.
Specifically a balkan with medium roast sumatran.

I don't doubt that chocolate worked for you, but smoking and eating are pretty compartmentalized for me.

Yes. I understand, and basically feel the same way. I was merely thinking of certain snacks one might eat in the course of smoking a bowl. Not necessarily combining, but for instance still having the taste of something like chocolate in one’s mouth when puffing. I often find a fine tobacco or a good cup of coffee can linger in my mouth for as long as an hour after smoking/drinking.

 

[ItsKarl]

I recently discovered that my palate is particularly partial to the combination of milk chocolate with a good straight Virginia. I will happily munch on a bite now and then as I puff, and not only do I love the taste, but the chocolate provides a nice protective (if temporary) coating against tongue bite. The chocolate I ate was Stratos, a Norwegian favourite. I have so far tried with two variants, both equally successful: a straight milk chocolate, and one with bits of hazelnut. I have tried them with other tobaccos as well, but it's only with the Capstans (the only straight virginias I have tried so far) that I've had a eureka moment.

 

[mortonbriar]

I find food/pipe muddies the palate. I am quite happy to smoke an aromatic if that is the flavour I feel like.

 

[dingdong]

Very hard for me to smoke without a drink (coffee/tea/liquor or spirits)...some snacking of course help. dried fruits like dates, raisins, nuts/bolts, etc

 

[ophiuchus]

I mostly don’t eat when I smoke and vice versa, but that’s not a hard rule. Coffee, tobacco and chocolate make up the trifecta for certain evenings. I’ve also nibbled on cheese and nuts between sips of port and a cigar on more than a couple occasions.

 

[kcghost]

To paraphrase an Irish man, "When I eat, I eat, when I smoke, I smoke".

 

[Cracklin' Tobaccy]

I prefer non-food snacks.