//------------------------------//
// 2- Pie Tasting 1.0 
// Story: A Recipe for Rainbows 
// by SnowOriole 
//------------------------------//

“Oh- wowwwww!” Apple Bloom ran in excitedly and got up on the kitchen stool to get a better look. “Can I help?”

Applejack ruffled her hair lovingly. “You sure can, sugarcube. I just so happened ta’ need a taste tester.”

Apple Bloom reached for the mixing bowl. “I can do that!” 

“Nonono, not that one,” Applejack gently pushed her hoof away from the raw apple mixture. “I’m talkin’ about the apple pie that we brought to Pinkie’s potluck yesterday.”

“Pinkie’s potluck? But whatever for?” The filly watched as her sister retrieved a fully-baked pie from the fridge and set it on the counter.

She removed a layer of foil as she explained. “We got feedback that the pies at the potluck were better than usual. I was hoping to recreate it so that Ponyville can keep enjoying the finest of the fine.”

Apple Bloom munched on the slice spooned to her. She cocked her head thoughtfully and said, “I guess it’s a little sweeter than usual?”

Applejack jumped up. “Sweeter like how?”

“Umm...” Apple Bloom licked her lips and cut herself another slice messily. “It’s just sweeter. Like, yum.”

“Oookay...” Applejack cut Apple Bloom’s slice in half so she could try it again. Still no different. She vaguely remembered Twilight mentioning that fillies had more acute tastebuds and could taste more flavours than an adult. Applejack decided that she must be getting old.

Apple Bloom had finished her second slice and was picking up the butter knife again. Applejack tutted and shook her head. “That’s enough for today, sweetie.”

She pouted and put the knife down. Applejack added, “You’re going to be eating a lot more pies later. I don’t want ya to get sick.”

The pout disappeared immediately, replaced by a big grin. “Yayyyyy! I get to be your taste tester!” Apple Bloom skipped around the kitchen while Applejack kept the remaining pie back into the fridge. When she settled down, she trotted calmly out the door, knowing that she best be well-behaved in case her sister changed her mind.

The place returned to peace and quiet, save for the clucking from the hen house next door. Applejack grabbed a few items from the fridge and got to work.


><><><><><><><><><><><


Applejack had in front of her three steaming pies: the first with white sugar, the second with brown sugar and the third with honey. From each, she had cut a teeny slice.

The whole kitchen was permeated with the warm smell of baked pie, and it must've travelled because her little taste tester was back, sniffing the air with a greedy look on her face.

"Granny was askin' where you were and I said you were making pies for dinner." Apple Bloom hopped onto the counter and squinted. "These are for dinner, right?"

"T'would be plum wasteful if I let you taste a little and threw the rest away," Applejack hadn't really thought about it that way- she had been so caught up in making the pies that she'd forgotten about other farm duties. She decided to go along with it. "Yes, they're for dinner."

"I could just help you eat everything," she offered.

"Now, now Apple Bloom," Applejack chided. "What did I say about too many sweet treats?"

"You get tummy aches."

"Do you want tummy aches?"

"No sis…" Apple Bloom climbed off the counter reluctantly.

Applejack patted her head. "Good girl. Now help me taste these pies- I tried them beforehand to make sure they ain't too hot, so just-"

Apple Bloom scarfed down all three slices. She glanced up expectantly as Applejack face-hoofed, "-be careful."

"These dun quite taste the same as the other time." The young pie-taster licked her lips.

Applejack craned her neck. "And why?"

She shrugged. "I dunno. But hey, the honey one tastes real good!"

Applejack slumped on the table and waved her hoof. "Never mind. Go help set the table or somethin'."

"Okay!" Apple Bloom giggled and skipped out the kitchen with a mouthful of jangling cutlery. Applejack watched her go with a sigh. What had she expected? Apple Bloom was just a filly. She hadn't much of a vocabulary to describe the different tastes, and she didn't do any cooking to be able to pinpoint ingredients.

She began to clean up the kitchen, a few ideas forming in her mind. She would need to go see somepony tomorrow… Somepony with refined taste.


><><><><><><><><><><><