Constance mentions in the body of her article that she thinks Europeans have a better palate for savoury foods- but might it be the case that there is so much sugar in the average Americans' diet that they cannot enjoy something which does not have a liberal sugar content?

Having worked in the US I distinctly recall being shocked by 'breakfast breads' one might find in many hotels there. If the light shines on a pile of breakfast breads one can clearly see the sugar glistening in the bread.

Sugar, of course, is extremely addictive and it would be better for most Americans to try to get used to less of it!

Interesting comments, considering America's per capita consumption of sugar is less than Europe's and just over half of Australia's.  And that the ubiquitous American sweet breakfast breads - the cinnamon roll and the Danish - trace their origins to Europe as well.

Although it may be tempting to blame the guests' rejection of currents on their inferior American palates, it may be that currants are simply never offered for sale here in US supermarkets.  Other berries, such as the raspberry, are quite popular even though they're not nearly as sweet as some other fruits.