Taste Test Number 2- Maine Oats!

Maine Oats are featured this month in our taste test series, and Mrs. Plummer's and Mrs. Morin's classroom took it upon themselves to prepare and taste and series of oatmeal recipes. First, we all gathered together for "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," where we read about porridge. Then, we decided we would make some porridge ourselves- only we were going to add Maine blueberries and maple syrup to ours! (According to the story, they did have some additions, honey, berries, and nuts) Our oats were also special because they came from Maine.

Then, we divided up into our respective classrooms, to measure out the appropriate amounts of oats, water, and blueberries.

We also had a station that examined the different textures, colors, and smells of oats, whole wheat flour, and all-purpose flour to continue our whole grain discussion. Mrs. Morin's class all passed around the bowls of the different ingredients, and the kids noticed the soft, silky texture of the white flour, the sandy, grittier texture of the wheat, and the much coarser texture of the oats. We discussed how the all-purpose flour had been stripped of bran, and some other parts of the plant in the processing. The classroom got a little messy (and everyone had to wash their hands after getting in the flours) but it was fun.

After all the ingredients were measured, Mrs. Plummer's class walked the ingredients down to the kitchen, where they were cooked. 20 minutes later, the stovetop, blueberry filled oatmeal and the oven-baked apple oatmeal, (which Mrs. Dittmann had prepared earlier) were ushered back to both classrooms. Luckily, many parent volunteers were on hand to make everything go smoothly, and they began dishing and passing out the samples.

Most people tried the oats (even some older students who were visiting the classroom!), and many comments were heard. Some people didn't want to try the oats, but when they heard that they were going to need to vote on the winning recipe for the school-wide taste test, they decided to sample the two oat recipes. There was lots of excitement- many students wanted seconds, and said it was delicious! Some thought the baked oatmeal tasted almost like rice- it had a similar texture- and others could smell the cinnamon in the oat recipes, and noticed that familiar smell. Then it was time to vote. Both classroom results were neck and neck, with the baked oatmeal with apples nudging out the stovetop oats with blueberries by a hair. So, now the whole school will sample the results on Wednesday, April 1st, as our healthy, school-wide snack. Thanks to Mrs. Morin's class, Mrs. Plummer's class, and all the parent volunteers (Debbie Harper, Renee Melvin, Laney LaRochelle, Vicky Hennin, and Stephanie McElman) for being such excellent taste testers!