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Trying to sell people a knockoff food 'delicacy' seems akin to trying to get people to buy cubic zirconia instead of diamonds or pyrite instead of gold. That is
by subroutine 4y ago
Trying to sell people a knockoff food 'delicacy' seems akin to trying to get people to buy cubic zirconia instead of diamonds or pyrite instead of gold. That is, the knockoff could be almost indistinguishable from the real thing but people are going to prefer the genuine article anyway.
I personally enjoy the oysters at my local fish shop, when i happen to be there on their 'oyster day' and they have them laid out on ice. If it weren't for that, oysters would never enter my psyche; I've never been at the supermarket thinking damn I'm really craving oysters. And if I did happen to see a bag of oysters next to a bag of foysters in the freezer section, you can bet I'm not buying either. I cant be alone on this.
- z9znz 4y agoI think in this case it has some value because of the ritual or the mystique of oysters. There is something about their presentation, their distinctive texture and flavor, and of course the ancient belief that they increase sexual virility. In a supermarket, oysters don't fit. There is nothing exclusive or sexy about most grocery stores. But when you're at a nice restaurant terrace hanging out over the ocean, and you receive a large sculptured platter of ice with 6-12 oysters on the half shell, garnished nicely, it is a special thing. Coke vs champagne.
- subroutine 4y agoExactly my sentiments as well! What's next, plant-based fugu based on the reasoning that it 100% eliminates the possibility of tetrodotoxin poisoning? Part of the reason puffer is considered a delicacy is there's a non-zero chance it could kill you. Not because it is so yummy. Oysters are fleshy slime balls, and I'm able to get past the texture and actually enjoy the taste because of some je ne sais quoi. Slime grown in a lab and artificially flavored does not share the same mystique.