THERE was plenty to think about for Bournemouth students when they took part in a blind taste test yesterday.

Around 30 pupils from the Bishop of Winchester School were blindfolded and encouraged to touch, taste and smell a variety of ingredients.

The interactive workshop held in The Square was organised by Bournemouth and Poole College as part of the Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival.

Barry Dawson, apprenticeship manager for hospitality catering at the college, said they wanted to show the students how to use all their senses in the kitchen.

“We went for a Mexican theme and the aim was to introduce them to a range of new flavours and textures.

“We also get them to compare shop-bought food as opposed to freshly-made ingredients like guacamole, sour cream and salsa. We also want to show that it is cheaper and tastier if they make their own.”

The pupils were also given the chance to design their own dish using a selection of fresh ingredients and tortilla wraps.

Pupil Rachel Homer, 15, said it was good to try new food.

“I usually only eat chicken nuggets, pizza, garlic bread and Yorkshire puddings! I tend to stick to basic foods because that’s what I’m used to.

“Mexican food has more flavour. I really liked the tomato salsa and the tortilla wraps,” she said.

Her school friend Sian Barnett, 15, agreed: “It was interesting to see the same foods that we eat used in a different way.

“I’ve never tasted coriander before. I wasn’t very keen on the guacamole that we tried in a blind taste test though!”

The educational interactive workshops will run morning and afternoon throughout the week until Friday.

For more information, visit bournemouthfoodanddrink.co.uk.