Planning enjoyment
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The tasting's hedonic appeal came from the enjoyment of flavors and conversation, rather than any practical need to compare recipes. One visitor practiced moderation by choosing a few samples, eating slowly, and stopping while the experience was still pleasant. Another visitor's overindulgence left no room for the dish he had most wanted, because he repeatedly took extra portions simply because they were available. The host offered smaller servings without ranking guests by how much they consumed.
The organizer kept the hedonic purpose visible by asking which moments people had enjoyed, rather than treating an empty serving tray as the only sign of success. Moderation allowed guests to sample several dishes without assuming they needed to finish every offering. The account of one visitor's overindulgence concerned excess in that particular experience, not a judgment about everyone's appetite. At the next tasting, people could request another spoonful instead of receiving oversized portions automatically.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.