EF 2013 Snack Exchange
by furtech
This was my second year of the EF Snack Exchange. Outside of the Pawpet Show, this is easily my favorite event. People are encouraged to bring their favorite snacks (or even just weird ones) from their country.
This year I brought Skittles, XXX Cheetos, Pop-rocks and Butterfingers. Next year I will be earlier and more organized (instead of just throwing the food out in any available space! My total bad!).
The Finns win again for having the least-palatable snack: Pantteri and its nastier brother, Leijona. These are bitter-licorice "treats". When I asked what flavor it was, he simply replies, "Road". And yep- it tasted like what I imagine licking a freshly tarred street would be like. He was kind enough to give me the leftovers so I could show my friends back in the states. He also brought a bottle of the pure element that is one of the main ingredients of these candies: Ammonium Chloride. I dipped a finger and tried it this year (wasn't brave enough last year): it tastes like what I imagine licking a dirty cat box would taste like. The Finns have a good sense of humor about all this and I love them for that.
It was interesting to compare snacks made in different countries: for instance, American Skittles are distinctly different from British Skittles (American skittles are -much- sweeter, while the British version is more pleasantly sweet).
There were cookies galore (mostly wonderful) and some new-comers: dates and treats from Saudi Arabia (omg dates) and canned Dolma.
The Italians (or were they Hungarians? Need to take better notes) were my favorite: rich, sharp cheeses and salamis. He served the cheese (kind of like an aged Parmesan) with a dollop of honey. Incredible. He also brought a jar of a home-made cabbish-something. Despite it's Kim-chee appearance, it was mild and almost (but not really) sweet. I think his mother made it...
The photos in the set are annotated or have cards identifying them, so take a closer look!
The Austrians brought a bottle of a beerenauslese wine that was -very- nice. They also pointed me to the grocery store across the street where I also found a -trockenbeerenauslese that I bought and brought home (can't wait to try it!).
