Etiquette Boss: Entertainment etiquette

October 9, 2013 Phillipa Morrish

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Dessert Etiquette: Sorbet and Sherbet

Sorbet and sherbet are usually used to describe the same dish, but purists are aware of their differences. Add a touch of elegance to your meal by serving sorbet in between your first course, which might be fish broth or a shrimp cocktail, and your meat course, which might be meat or chicken. It will cleanse the palate and avoid taking the taste of one course over to the next.

The serving of sorbet dates back to the Roman Empire when hosts served packed snow brought down from the mountains to clear the palates of their guests between each course. In modern times it is only served in between the fish and meat courses.

Sherbet can be described as its cousin. Sorbet and sherbet look alike but sorbet has no dairy, while sherbet has a small amount of milk and can contain egg whites. It is therefore creamier, more like ice cream but with fewer calories.

Another difference is that while sorbet is used to clean the palate, it can be used as dessert, especially for lactose-intolerant guests. Sherbet, however, is used only as dessert because of the milk it contains.

Another difference that separates these cousins is in the eating utensils that accompany their service. Depending on texture and when it is served, sorbet may be eaten with a fork or a spoon, while sherbet, as dessert, is only served with a spoon.

YOUR BEST APPEARANCE: Younger Hands

Our hands usually betray our age because of prominent veins, lines and thin skin. To improve its appearance, exfoliate twice per week with a sugar and olive oil mixture. Rinse and apply a hand mask. You can mix egg yolk with olive oil; leave on for 15 minutes and rinse.

Next, do a finger massage. This third step can be done nightly. Apply a few drops of olive oil or your favorite moisturizer on your fingers while doing a finger massage. The horizontal lines on your fingers will seem less noticeable if you massage your fingers in a circular motion instead of pulling each finger from bottom to top.

Keep your hands moisturized daily, even if you use simple petroleum jelly. You will be rewarded with younger looking hands.

Phillipa Morrish is the president of Etiquette Training International.