Un-deliciously Purple

I enjoy going to coffee shops in foreign countries.  They often have things I wouldn’t find at home.  Even familiar places like Starbucks have cultural surprises.

During my time in Korea, I have become fond of sweet potato lattes.  They sound a bit odd but trust me, they are delicious.  They are more creamy deliciousness than potato. 🙂

When I saw this on sale in my little grocery store, I was thrilled.  All of the sweet potato drinks I’d had before had been cream coloured.  This one was purple.   Surely it was the same thing?  I’d eaten purple sweet potatoes before and they tasted just the same as their plainer cousins.

I decided to buy the box.  How could something that was such a lovely colour be bad?

My disappointment was almost as bitter as this purple glop.  Not only did it taste like Play-dough, it had things floating in it.  They weren’t pine nuts like in the picture either.  Mystery floaties are never good.   The whole concoction was so bad, I had to run and brush my teeth after just one sip.

What am I going to do with the other 11 sticks???

Thankfully it wasn’t a total waste of money.  A free gift (or perhaps a bribe) came with the putrid purple goop:

This tea, made from walnuts, almonds and Job’s tears (whatever they are) is delicious.  The picture is puzzling though.  Are there also peanuts and pumpkin seeds in this tea?  And are those bean-like things Job’s tears?

So many questions… 😀