Vampires/Food

[Obsessed]

I always thought vampires couldn't taste food- eps. when Angel turned human and devoured everything in sight in I Will Remember You. Yet, how was Spike able to recognize the flavor of Mountain Dew in Destiny?

[Dorian's Kitten]

Angel doesn't seem to eat, but Spike does on several occasions. He adds cereal (weetabix) to his blood and particularly enjoys that onion blossom thing at the bronze. My guess, Angel chose not to eat because he doesn't need to and Spike chooses to eat because he can and he enjoys it.

[Obsessed]

But can they taste food? I get the impression that vamps can't taste it... eps. when Angel seems clueless about the flavors of food.

[kana]

Vampires can taste food and most likely distinguish between different flavours but they don't quite get the same enjoyment out of it that humans do. Angel states his forgotten 'how good it tastes' when human but that doesn't mean he's incapable of tasting it at all when a vampire.

[digitalMindy]

I think it's more of a desire thing. If the hunger pains Angel got were not satiated by blood but food then maybe he would enjoy it a bit more. It's like when you're craving Chinese but are only offered Italian (which you love) it doesn't taste as good. So when Angel was temporarily human, he had the food-type hunger cravings. And thus food taster so much better to him.

But Spike likes his luxury and by luxury I mean the onion thing at the Bronze

[ThePoet's<3]

Spike also loves hot spicy buffalo wings. Something I gladly share with my favorite vampire... I never could get into the blood and Weetabix though... It is interesting how Spike always seemed to continue to enjoy food-food. Hot cocoa w/marshmellows and untold quantities of alcohol...

[Mabus]

Well....I notice that Spike seems to enjoy the intense flavors most--spicy buffalo wings is a good example. So perhaps he doesn't really have much sense of taste either? Possibly vampires can still taste regular food, but not very strongly?

[Dorian's Kitten]

That certainly sounds plausible. I kind of thought that maybe Spike was just more of a sensualist, you know he just sort appreciated the finer things in life: sex, drinks, food, rock and roll, a good fight... It might have something to do with their perspective backgrounds, Spike came from a more upper class-used to the good life one. Or it might have to do with Angel having a soul, like he didn't think he deserved enjoyment. Or maybe it is just a personality thing.

[ThePoet's<3]

What about denial...?

I was thinking about that somewhat. Angel is so used to denying himself the things that bring happiness and joy into his life - maybe he carries that over into food?? (I've had some "religious experiences" with chocolate myself - so I could understand the denial of pleasure!! I usually give it up for Lent... )

But Spike doesn't have to deny himself those pleasures so he imbibes freely?? Just a thought...

[Mabus]

What about denial...?

I was thinking about that somewhat. Angel is so used to denying himself the things that bring happiness and joy into his life - maybe he carries that over into food?? (I've had some "religious experiences" with chocolate myself - so I could understand the denial of pleasure!! I usually give it up for Lent... )

But Spike doesn't have to deny himself those pleasures so he imbibes freely?? Just a thought...

I think that's very much a part of it, Poet's <3. Though I don't think it's so much that Spike doesn't have to and Angel does as that Angel doesn't believe he deserves it. Angel seems to me to be incapable of ever getting over the things he's done (and maybe he shouldn't--not necessarily that you ought to get over a few lifetimes of killing). To Spike, it's happened, there's nothing he can do about it now, and he may as well get on with his existence.

[Dark Ages]

I just think that Angel didnt new that he didnt need food so why should he eat it. I thin Spike ate food bacause he new he could and he liked it so he did it for the heck of it. It seems like Spike isnt an average vampire he does things to see people reactions.

[Dorian's Kitten]

I think that's very much a part of it, Poet's <3. Though I don't think it's so much that Spike doesn't have to and Angel does as that Angel doesn't believe he deserves it. Angel seems to me to be incapable of ever getting over the things he's done (and maybe he shouldn't--not necessarily that you ought to get over a few lifetimes of killing). To Spike, it's happened, there's nothing he can do about it now, and he may as well get on with his existence.

I certainly agree that we see more of Angel's remorse, but I'm not so sure we can assume Spike doesn't have or wont get there too. We have to remember that Angel certainly didn't become a champion overnight.

This got me think though about a great Angel season five scene.

Later, the little table between Angel and Spike is littered with empty miniature bottles of various sorts of alcohol. Pan over to Angel as he finishes off another one.

ANGEL
(looking at the empty bottle in his hands)
Huh. Really can't get drunk off these things.

SPIKE
(slouching in his chair, twirling an empty bottle in his hands)
Not us, anyway. Vampire constitution. Not always a plus.
(beat)
How did you know?

ANGEL
Drank a lot of 'em, and I still don't like you.

[ThePoet's<3]

OH that is a funny scene!! You know - those two really DO like each other... They are as different as "day and night". I love the contrast between the personalities. It's what makes the 'Verse go round!!

But I didn't think about the Vampire constitution... But food does seem to fit in with their personalities.