2007年VOA标准英语-Decorative Arrangements Can Be Tasty Too

By Ade Astuti & Nia Sutadi
Bethesda, Maryland
19 February 2007
 
watch Edible¹ report

On special occasions people in the U.S. often show their love with flowers. But these days there is another choice -- instead of giving a bouquet² of flowers many are sending their loved ones an "edible bouquet" of fruit. For producers Ade Astuti and Nia Sutadi, VOA's Jim Bertel has more.

 
One of the arrangements of fruit available at the store
For the past few weeks one particular business in the city of Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., has been very busy. This is "Edible Arrangements," which provides a service to romantics who want to say I love you.

Candice Rittenberg is the owner. "We're a replacement³ for flowers. [It is] Something of an alternative, a healthier aspect of it. It's fresh, it's unique, [and] it's beautiful. And we love it."

 
Fruit pieces on wooden skewers⁴ ready to be placed in a basket
The idea is simple -- rather than arrange flowers into a bouquet, they arrange fruit into an attractive display. Instead of roses and carnations⁵, customers can send an assortment⁶ of fruit such as cantaloupes, melons and pineapples. Not only are they beautiful gifts, but they are edible too.

"Valentine's Day, of course we have women sending things to men. A lot of men coming in here, especially on the very last second: 'I need something for my girlfriend, I need something for my wife.' And, of course we're going to accommodate⁷ that with something fabulous," says Rittenberg.

These displays may not be the traditional way to express one's love, but they are becoming an option for those who want to appeal to a loved one's palate in addition to his or her heart.

1 edible   

n.食品，食物；adj.可食用的

参考例句：

• Edible wild herbs kept us from dying of starvation.我们靠着野菜才没被饿死。
• This kind of mushroom is edible,but that kind is not.这种蘑菇吃得，那种吃不得。

2 bouquet   

n.花束，酒香

参考例句：

• This wine has a rich bouquet.这种葡萄酒有浓郁的香气。
• Her wedding bouquet consisted of roses and ivy.她的婚礼花篮包括玫瑰和长春藤。

3 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

4 skewers   

n.串肉扦( skewer的名词复数 )；烤肉扦；棒v.（用串肉扦或类似物）串起，刺穿( skewer的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Damaged skewers and clogged bobbin holder. 木锭子破损，纱管支架底座阻塞。 来自互联网
• I heard you really like mutton skewers and that you can eat 50 at one time. 听说你特别爱吃羊肉串儿，一次能吃五十串儿。 来自互联网

5 carnations   

n.麝香石竹，康乃馨( carnation的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You should also include some carnations to emphasize your underlying meaning.\" 另外要配上石竹花来加重这涵意的力量。” 来自汉英文学 - 围城
• Five men per ha. were required for rose production, 6 or 7 men for carnations. 种植玫瑰每公顷需5个男劳力，香石竹需6、7个男劳力。 来自辞典例句

6 assortment   

n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集

参考例句：

• This shop has a good assortment of goods to choose from.该店各色货物俱全，任君选择。
• She was wearing an odd assortment of clothes.她穿着奇装异服。

7 accommodate   

vt.容纳，向...提供住处，使适应，顺应

参考例句：

• You should soon accommodate yourself to the new circumstance.你应尽快适应新环境。
• Are there enough shelves to accommodate all our books?有足够的书架容纳我们所有的书吗？