"So that's how unboxing videos looked like in the 1800s. Who knew ?"

January 11, 2019 10:56 PM

Mrs. Crocombe receives a letter, then writes a response and prepares a package.
Mr. Townsend receives a letter and a package.
Mr. Townsend writes a letter and prepares a package.
Mrs. Crocombe receives a letter and a package.

Viewers wishing to argue about whether the packages were delivered via the TARDIS or Doc Brown's DeLorean are cordially directed to the YouTube comments.

posted by Lexica (11 comments total)

I was a Mrs. Crocombe fan when she got her letter and sent the first package, but was confused about who she was sending it to. Much later on the yt algorithm spat out suggestions for the Townsend's responses and I've been enjoying their video backlog ever since. The best part about Townsends is when Michael Twitty comes on.

Recently the English Heritage channel did an interview with the actress who plays Mrs. Crocombe and it was fascinating. Evidently she really never cooked and only now makes desserts!

I really wish there were other folks doing things like this with historical recipes and cooking techniques from non-Western traditions. Maybe there are and I just don't know it because they're not in English. Regardless, this little time traveling culinary exchange is one of the most wholesome and charming things to happen on YT in ages.
posted by Mizu at 4:41 AM on January 12, 2019 [6 favorites]

What a fun YT channel!
posted by drlith at 5:50 AM on January 12, 2019 [1 favorite]

What a lovely rabbit hole to fall into! Thank you for posting this.
posted by james33 at 6:52 AM on January 12, 2019

Thanks for these links. I watch the Townsend channel often as a relief from reading the political megathread but hadn't come across these. A whole new channel to explore. BTW, Indian pudding is a tasty dessert, historically interesting as an early example of fusion cooking. It is also useful when entertaining gluten intolerant guests.
posted by Botanizer at 7:45 AM on January 12, 2019

This is fun. I sometime watch these channels but hadn't seen the collab.
posted by Wretch729 at 7:46 AM on January 12, 2019

This is fantastic. If you enjoyed this, you might also like Great Depression Cooking With Clara.
posted by xedrik at 7:46 AM on January 12, 2019 [3 favorites]

They neglected to mention that making people eat seed cake leads to murder.

/Miss Marple
posted by betweenthebars at 8:52 AM on January 12, 2019

I am soooooo trying that pudding recipe.
posted by deadaluspark at 9:36 AM on January 12, 2019

Absolutely charming!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 6:15 PM on January 12, 2019

I hadn't come across either of these channels before, and am now looking forward to watching all of them!
posted by Tentacle of Trust at 8:23 PM on January 12, 2019

I've never gone the extra mile to make Indian pudding, but I love hasty pudding with blueberries or cranberries and maple syrup. It's a delicious, quick, filling meal to throw together. Maybe before winter's up I'll try the baked version.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 1:32 AM on January 13, 2019