EDIBLE “gold” that can be sprayed on your Christmas turkey has proved a massive hit at an upmarket Scots store.
Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh says its first supplies of the £25 spray sold out in a week, despite increasing bleak prospects for the world economy.
Carol Dawson, food market and wine shop manager at the store, said: “It took us a little bit by surprise just how popular it was, particularly given the price.
“It’s quite an expensive thing for people to buy just to try out. But it’s an indicator of how popular it is, that people are willing to pay that much in order to give it a go.”
The spray, which is made in Germany, can be used to bring glitter and glamour to chicken, steak and other cuts of meat.
And those with a sweet tooth – and deep pockets – can spray it on chocolate cakes, muffins and petit fours.
The Esslack Food Finish Spray is said to be tasteless – perhaps in more senses than one – and safe, made from ethyl alcohol, food additives and colourings.
Ms Dawson said the gold spray would appeal to people looking for something a bit different on the Christmas table.
She said: “People are definitely a bit more adventurous than they’ve been in the past.
“They like the traditional elements of Christmas but they also want to do something out of the ordinary that’s going to surprise their guests and give them a talking point. Presentation is half the battle.”
Mary McGowne, founder of the Scottish Style Awards, said she thought a gold turkey would be a stylish addition to festivities.
She said: “I think it sounds like a fabulous idea.
“It’s the kind of thing that will add real glitz and glamour to any Christmas,” she added.
“It’s the one day of the year when the family can get together and people can go overboard on style and food.”
But not everyone is convinced that the highly-priced, 100ml spray makes sense.
John Quigley, owner of the Red Onion Bistro in Glasgow, suggested the product was fool’s gold.
He said: “It’s going to appeal to people who either don’t know how to roast their turkey properly and are trying to cover up their mistakes, or to people who have far too much money.”
And Dumfries turkey farmer Tom Carr agreed. “I would advise against using something like this,” he said.
“We take a lot of time and effort to produce a turkey that has its own golden look. When you start colouring meat you’re taking it a bit too far.”
The makers of the product, Deli Garage, insist it is “certified tastless”.
However, one food critic who has tried gold-sprayed turkey said there was a metallic aftertaste “that makes my fillings tingle”. She did admit: “I think this may be my imagination”.
