A Dessert Fit For The Washingtons 

The only modern politics in this series is that Townsend is an agent of Big Nutmeg

Much credit to Jas Townsend and his people for not removing this video or disabling comments! It takes a strong tree to resist the hurricane.

I want a guy who looks at me the way John looks at nutmeg

I just found out about the host being upset about this video. I came here to support the host. He seems like a decent person who wants to share his passion of history with the world. I'm not interested in American history, but his passion fuels my interest. I watched many of these videos because of his passion on the subject. Sending my best wishes.

"Hi, I'm John Townsend and this is the final episode..." that long pause scared me for a moment

Came from your video where you are frustrated. You don't need to. You have such a unique channel for food and history lovers. Keep up the good work and don't care about political comments.

Nutmeg is to John what olive oil is to Gordon Ramsey

Sitting in quarantine, avoiding my homework, learning to make custard.

John's got a fever, the only prescription is more NUTMEG!

"Lists ingredients". Hmm maybe I could make this at home. "Stir for 45 minutes." Nope

Made the orange fool yesterday...and it made a fool out of me. Life lesson: never stop stirring while the custard is cooking or it will go from velvety to curdled and you'll have orange scrambled eggs. Stay at your post and stir, stir, stir! All was not lost, however: I took the scrambled mess, added more nutmeg (!), beat it to break up the pieces into what resembled wet cornmeal, made up a pie crust, poured it in, and baked it. The result was tasty and all the eggs, oranges and cream were not wasted.

Wait a minute... I see what's going on here. You had her make this particular dessert as a political smear against the saviour of Dutch Protestantism, William of Orange!! What are you, some sort of Papist?! Looks tasty though.

Only a true fool would construe this as anything political!

I'm English, and we still make fool nowadays. My mum commonly makes what we could call "fool" as a dessert in the summertime by folding whipped cream into a pureed stewed fruit (like raspberries, strawberries etc). If you add broken up pieces of meringue you get a recipe we call "Eton mess".

Came back to peep all the political and controversial comments but all I see is a lot of spicy nutmeg talk. Nutmeg: It goes well with controversy....and absolutely everything else.

Christopher Walken = more cowbell Jon Townsend = more nutmeg

The big reveal many years from now will be that none of these recipes actually called for nutmeg. John just keeps adding it because he has a severe nutmeg addiction.

Nutmeg is to James what Cayenne is to Chef John of Foodwishes

The same people who think this is political will probably think the same thing about a bartending channel making a video on how to make a White Russian.

This man has gotta be one of the most wholesome guys on the internet. So calming to watch and chock full of history.

Watched this video and came away with nothing more than a desire to recreate the dessert myself. I then started your latest video showing your frustration and dismay, so I rushed back here to just say; don't let a few bad "oranges" spoil your orange fool ! Keep up the good work !

So im not the only one who came to see this video to find the 'political' controversy' part.😅

Her: “This is our last episode . . . “ Me: ‘Wait, WHAT?!’ Her: “. . . to do a dessert.” Me: ‘WHEW!’

I came to see what the political controversy was all about and found a grown man laughing like a child in Christmas when he was allowed to sprinkle his dessert with a little nutmeg. Wicked, I tell ya.

Hold on, Jon asked for some nutmeg "up on top" Okay, everyone who is playing at home, take a drink.

Home Boy LOVES his nutmeg more than Garfield loves lasagna.

This guy is so geeked to share his passion for history and food and y'all just can't help yourselves but mock the dish, which is historically accurate, and turn it into something that it isn't. Can we just not hijack one thing into current politics just once?

I have scrolled through all comments. Theres ALOT. The political ones seem to have been deleted. I take no issue with that.

Came for the political outrage. I'm now leaving confused and craving a Orange Julius.

This is the best show, it reminds me of the PBS shows back in the 80s and 90s

Random Gentleman: What is this dessert? Townsend: A fool. Random Gentleman: Now _see_ here sir, are you looking for a fight?!?!! Townsend: It's an _orange_ fool. Random Gentleman: YOU NUTMEG POWDERED BOOTLICKER! IT SHALL BE PISTOLS AT DAWN

People who think Jon's "Orange Fool" for the Washingtons video is political are the same people who left out corona beers during their panic raid to Costco because they're afraid they'll get the coronavirus

I put on my tin foil beanie with antenna to pickup the hidden messages within this video and nothing! No hidden messages. I did receive a very sincere video that brings history to life in a very relatable way. 🖖

This guy needs a intervention on his nutmeg addiction lol

To paraphrase Sigmund Freud: Sometimes an Orange Fool is just an Orange Fool.

I can always count on Townsend to remain free of drama and politics. I gotta try this Orange Fool. It looks delicious and soothing.

I'm just waiting on the episode when he tastes the food or drink and says "geez this is awful" 😆

"It is the final episode here" I almost got a heart attack. D:

"Juice from 6 oranges" *pours in tang*

The most controversial part of this video I saw was the look he gave her when she told him he had to stand there and stir for 45 minutes lol

A good sub for Seville oranges if you can't find them is two oranges plus a lime = 2 Seville oranges. Also, you can do any number of fruit fools - mashed raspberry is particularly good, as is mashed strawberry (cut the sugar if the fruit is sweeter).

fool noun British Plural: fools A cold dessert made of puréed fruit mixed or served with cream or custard. Origin: ENGLISH late 16th century

I can see no reason why this video was taken as a modern political statement. Five seconds of research proves the drink name is centuries old. :/

I can understand seeing a joke in the title, but thinking it was intended is a stretch.

I went there and was confronted by a turkey that was nearly as tall as I am. I'm never going back.

I got the notification and I would've come here earlier but I was re-watching an earlier video and had to wait to get my "...as we savor the flavors and the aromas of the 18th century." You don't interrupt John's catchphrase, not even to watch another one of his videos.

My father and I watch these shows together and connect

When I'm President, I'm presenting Mr. Townsend with the Medal of Freedom.

Gordon Ramsey: Just add a little butter Martha Washington: hold my ladle

In a modern kitchen, you can place it in a double boiler and keep stirring until the custard thickens up. Then cool it in cold/ice water to keep it from overcooking. Given that cream is used and with the methods seen, I would think it is also possible Orange Fool can be turned in a Orange Semifreddo by preparing it as usual, but separate the cream. After the custard is made and cooled down, whip the heavy cream until thick, then pour and fold the custard until well incorporated. Then poured into a container and freeze it for 8 hours. If done right, you should have an orange custard-like ice cream that's great as a dessert in the summer months.

I came to read the spicy comments. Looks like I'm too late and they were all deleted.

"Orange Fool" is what we call my neighbor who always uses way too much bronzer! lol

how could anyone see this vid as political ??????

John, I have used your videos to help the homeless! They suffer from many different reasons for their state. Some of them have enjoyed your cooking video, the soldier cooking is very close to some, of how they live every day. Hope is something that they are lacking , a full stomach and a warm bed is everything to them. So thank You for your great videos and cooking ideas it does make a difference in the poor and homeless person that I try to help! God bless you and your family and your workers, they are helping others! Best Regards. Matthew Hill from Virginia.

Ingredients: 6 eggs, heavy cream (unspecified amount ~2 cups), juice from 6 oranges (from Seville, Spain), 1/4 lb of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter.

Orange Sneed

A fool is an English dessert. Traditionally, fruit fool is made by folding pureed stewed fruit (classically gooseberries) into sweet custard. Modern fool recipes often skip the traditional custard and use whipped cream. Additionally, a flavouring agent like rose water may be added. Foole is first mentioned as a dessert in 1598 (together with trifle), although the origins of gooseberry fool may date back to the 15th century. The earliest recipe for fruit fool dates to the mid 17th century. Why the word "fool" is used as the name of this fruit dessert is not clear. Several authors derive it from the French verb fouler meaning "to crush" or "to press" (in the context of pressing grapes for wine), but this derivation is dismissed by the Oxford English Dictionary as baseless and inconsistent with the early use of the word.

Just some introspection here. While watching this, it struck me that, today is an amazing age. Between the sugar, orange juice, cinnamon, etc., this would have been a dessert that would have only been for the very rich. The average American today would have everything available in their kitchens, with the exception of the fresh orange juice, and possibly the cream. .We live in an amazing age.

I came here for political message, found none

This man makes me want to sit down, read a book about history, and learn. I don't know what to feel anymore!!!!!!

I think a little rum would be good in this recipe

People in the 18th century must have had forearms of steel. Every dessert seems to involve stirring or whipping for at least an hour!

The "scandal" brought me here- and I am so grateful. What a relaxing escape.

Orange and cream is such a perfect flavor combination, I would love to try this

After watching this series my boyfriend and I took a trip here! Great experience! Still need to go to Gunston Hall!

John Townsend: Nutmeg Nut

So this is a early version of a Orange Julius?

My God, the level of insecurity you'd have to have to take offense at this is astounding.

Man, this is the coolest RU-vid channel, never have Americans and Europeans been so out of touch with their peoples history and culture, you will inspire many to change that.

Apparently the optimum time to make this is during a hail storm.

this is the most wholesome channel on youtube, i just cant believe anyone could find a beef with anything and am so curious as to how.

I see the "newer" comments are still toxic as ever Anyway the desert looks delicious, basically seems like a 18th century Orange Julius.

I also wound up here from the frustrated video, looking for the silly politicos. Jeez. Even if I had seen this when it was done, I think making a political connection would be a stretch. If, for any reason, the political climate and rhetoric had brought anything to mind, I would have dismissed it as an innocent coincidence. Your videos are pretty wonderful, and your zeal for your mission is inspirational, and anything that can bring together, people of all different inclinations, mindsets, and worldviews, with nothing to make any feel unwelcome, has to be a good thing. So, thanks.

Stumbled here over political fracas. Stayed for the delicious custard!

Sad this is the last Washington video! I've really loved them! Thanks so much :) Wonderful video as always!

just saw your other post about negative interpretations of this episode, so I wanted to put my support behind what you do, and I enjoyed the episode very much, it sounds delicious and I can not wait to make this myself! I love desserts with oranges or any kind of citrus!

John seems a little "giddy" this episode.

watched ur frustrated video. you already wasted enough time on these trolls. only a fool walks a way from a cooking show offended. keep up the good work. dont let the few spoil it for the rest who enjoy ur videos

Man, some people really thought Martha Washington time traveled over 200 years, traveled back, and then named this recipe just to dig at the person who was president in 2017. Whack.

Mr. T says “I pity the fool who doesn’t drink Orange fool!”

A little bit of orange zest on top or in the fool would really turn up the orange level!

The nutmeg fixation is probably historical, nutmeg was rare and very valuable in the 17th Century by the 18th it was becoming more available but still a little touch of luxury in a dish. Just how valuable it was thought to be can be judged by the Dutch thinking that a small island in the Indonesia covered in nutmeg trees was fair exchange for New York.

This man's personality is contagious, and I'm not even complaining

Its after midnight, everything is closed, and now I want custard.

People being upset about this is one of the funiest things i have ever heard.

I love this show. I is so saddening to see the hurtful and divisive comments. I hope you continue to make many more great episodes, most people really appreciate your wonderful work. Greetings from Germany.

Just watched your subsequent video. I understand your frustrations, but keep the faith Mr. T! The majority of your subs would be gobsmacked if you told us there was indeed a political message in the Orange Fool video. Everyone at Jas. Townsends & Son are class acts, and it makes sense that you are confused by those comments. Well, I and many others didn't get any political vibes, so just keep on doing what you do. We've appreciate all of y'alls hard work bringing us quality content. God bless! 🇺🇸👍🏻👏🏻😊

Basically seems like, if liquid form, it’s an orange flavored egg nog 🙌🏾

John, I am commenting under my spouses name as I do not face book, my preference. Anyways, I am a middle 18th century reenactor and have purchased items over the years from your online store and catalog to help fill out my kit. While surfing on you tube this morning, 2-3-18, I stumbled upon your videos on 18th century cooking. I had no idea you were doing these, what a jewel and so informative, both in techniques and historical content. I have watched a number of vids on other subjects too, and have learned so much already in just a short time. Only a few people have the gift to teach and instruct without letting ego get the better and you my friend are certainly one of the few. Mark Baker, Dave Canterbury too name two that have that rabbi mentality such as you do. I like the way you choose do this in time period clothing, it helps to put it in perspective. Keep up your good works and don't let these poop heads interfere . YMHS, campdog

A worthy desert for the 4th of July! Now, off to the grocery store for some oranges!!!

Ohhhh.....orange fool. I didn’t even realize it until I saw the controversy response video. This is absolutely hysterical and I absolutely think that the reference absolutely flew right past him.

Nice video Mister Townsend and lovely friend. I have a similar drink in Pakistan,with orange pakola, bread cake, and also nice cream like your drink. Hope to be visiting u 1 day

Do you get these at the "Orange Foolius"???

The sad part? If this fool had been made with any other fruit (gooseberry is another traditional one, for instance), no-one would have thought twice.

Just found the Mount Vernon series - such a treat to get to "visit" historic places! Most web searches on "fool" desserts say that the origin of the word is lost, but Epicurious links it to the French word "fouler" (pronounced foo-leh), which means "to press." Most "fool" dessert recipes I have seen appear to be pureed fruit with custard, so the "pressed" reference makes sense.

You Sir are as good man. My wife and I enjoy streaming your channel on our tv in the evenings. We have been inspired to visit Conner Prairie this summer. Thanks for this video. Cheers!

When I was a child growing up in Virginia, people from old Virginia families still occasionally made Fools and Syllabubs. Having said that, they were viewed as old-style dishes more for special events than regular desserts. Fools were cooked if I require correctly, but Syllabubs were not. Also, often Syllabubs had alcohol in them. Thanks for making this video and bringing back some memories.

This drink is the great great grandpapi of the orange julius

The wholesomeness radiating from this man is contagious, protect this man at all costs lads