Flog It Blog It, A Tuning Fork & A Snack Attack!

A Talking Fork & Molly The Wally Brings You Her Top Ten Snacks From Japan!

First they made the talking toilet that and now from the land of the rising sun we have the fork that talks. Perfect if you find mealtimes a little boring. The EsTheremine is a fork that likes to play sounds as you eat. It can distinguish between different types of eating. For example when licking it produces the word 'pakupaku'. The sounds are apparently generated by the resistance value of the food. If food is bitten off, the fork produces a sound similar to a chicken clucking. When eating a piece of tempura the fork proclaims ‘Garigori’ and ‘shori’ while a stick of cheese produces the word ‘Paku’. The electronic talking fork it is certainly a novel way of livening up meal times. I know people who can make all sorts of funny noises when they eat without the use of any gadgets.

Now to go with the fork we thought we’d have a look at snacks Japan style.

Firstly we have candied squid. Being a collection of islands you’d expect the diet to include many foodables that come from the sea and the Japanese do not disappoint. If it swims, floats or even sinks they will eat it. They even eat Fugu the fish so poisonous it will kill you if not prepared properly. So should we be surprised that candy squid is a popular snack? It even comes in mouth watering flavours such as Cod Roe and Spicy Korean Cabbage. Meow one for our feline friends we think.

Need something to wash the candied squid done with? Why not try a cheese flavoured drink? Made by NEEDS a cheese factory based in Hokkaido, the drink was allegedly produced to raise awareness of cheese in Japan. Available in berry, yuzu citrus and plain flavours, steps have been taken to cut down on sweetness, securing you a salty cheese sensation throughout the entire drink. We are looking forward to the Gorgonzola and Stilton versions. 

Named Otoko Kaoru which translates as ‘Man Smelling Sweetly’ this we think is only for the very brave or very stupid. It is actually a brand of chewing gum that makes your sweat, smell like roses.

Next we will see pheromone inducing substances hitting the market soon or maybe we can expect a road-kill variety or Squirrel Sweat Gum? Can’t wait!

OK we have an innocent biscuit snack in the shape of small tubes filled with cream. But why name this snack ‘Collon’? Produced by Glico, the biggest candy company in Japan they are very popular. We believe you Gilco, one collon-oscopy please!

Now we have seen it all with the curry lemonade. Together at last curry and lemons, that classic combination! Why have waited so long for this concoction to hit the market I hear you ask? Imagine a Vindaloo version? Yep it really would be visit the loo with Vinda-LOO!

Now you thought that was bad but how about a bottle of placenta? Want to try the ‘Placenta 10000 Jelly Drink’? Jelly drinks are strange enough but Placenta 10000 isn’t just unfortunately named, it contains actual pig placenta. Apparently it is good for you and tastes like hmmm Lord knows I haven’t tried it.

Yes it is Pepsi but don’t forget we are visiting Japan today and we need a gimmick in the land of the rising sun. So they came up with shiso (not shito) yogurt and cucumber flavours. Shiso is like a cross between basil and mint. Coca Cola in Japan even have a brand water over there which may be a little bland for the Japanese palate by the looks of things. They could come up with more desirable flavours we think, like squirrel blood. Should be a real hit we think.

Ok the wasps in these biscuits are already dead but yikes how can you put something that stings you into your mouth? I am totally freaked out with these! Next they will bring out a scorpion or hornet version. Just so wrong and who on earth came up with the idea? Yes loads of wasps were hurt in the making of this product.  I certainly would not like to work in that factory!

Need a pick me up? The ‘Surging Eel’ fizzy drink is a carbonated yellow liquid made out of yikes eel. We know eel is a delicacy in Japan, but bottling and selling it as a soft drink has to be a step too far? Considered the first mass produced eel drink in Japan (and possibly the world), the yellow coloured drink contains extracts of the eels’ head and bones along with vitamins A, B1, B2, D, and E. We suppose it is r-eel-ly good. 

Now lastly we bring you ox tongue, horse, chicken wing and octopus flavoured ice-creams. Hay no kidding! Where on earth did they think those up from? Also available are fish, squid, shrimp, crab and yes eel. Could there be anything worse we hear you ask? How about raw horse flesh ice-cream? Neigh we hear you say! Straight from the horses’ mouth this has to be the most disgusting thing we have ever come across. So get out a can of dog food and mix it with some plain ice-cream and sit back and enjoy. From the land of the rising sun, have a great day.

Tomorrow we take a look at ‘Health & Beauty’ Japanese Style!!!!!!!

27 days of 30 dog nose portraits by Sheila at Sheila Wedegis. Hey and guess who it is today? Gizmo! Even better if we submit our noses Sheila will continue to paint nose portraits into February. How cool is that? It is free and you all you need to do is send your photo to sophieATpalm-spiritDOTcom and just just check the web site for when it is done. You may post your own portraits on your blogs and Sheilas' link is above. Who nose what yours will look like??? Come one you nose it makes sense?