The First Day Back in HK...
I opted for the Fruit Plate meal choice that Cathay Pacific offered. I just ate the stuff in the first dish. The stuff in the top left was like some kind of jam (full of white sugar I guarantee) and I just dont touch non-organic grapes. Even the strawberries I wasnt digging at all. The bun and butter went in the trash where it could no longer endanger anyone's well-being.
Oh right...and remember, you can bring whatever fruit you want onto the plane, you just can't bring it through customs. Although you probably could sneak it by, but Im not suggesting anything. I would maybe make a superfood fudge (dates, nuts, oils, superfoods) if I had a long flight...but really. Keep it light on the flights and you'll be good to go. I chugged about 64oz of good water before I went to the airport, and then made due with whatever H20 they gave me. That whole "no liquid rule" is a load of horse shit. No kidding. What a joke.
I hope you all realize that those rules are simply to scare us and keep us in line.
Now...onto the goodies...
So, after some kimchee and seaweed salad with Iris during her lunch break, I headed to the market. I love the NYC Greenmarket...but come on...this was bountiful.
Really beautiful layout, and the colors were just amazing.
Check out those little bunches of Tat Soi...love that stuff.
21oz of Goji Berries for 48 HKD ($6 USD) I dont know about quality, but Ive read (from unbiased parties) that all gojis are relatively the same. These come from China, but remember, over here, Tibet is considered China. The whole "Tibetan Goji Berry" idea is more marketing than anything in my opinion.
Love the beauty of the dragonfruit, but we can get these babies in Chinatown/NYC. No biggie.Lenette from Go Raw Chicago loves the dried version, and I have to second her on that one.
Now onto the main events...Cherimoya, and so cheap it could make me cry.
Super ripe and fragrant guavas...the baskets on the right cost 60 cents US. Heaven is here.
And then I come across a major heavyweight. A MONSTER jackfruit. So glad to be here.
Jackfruit is called Dai Su Bo Lo in Cantonese...literally Big Tree Pineapple.
She cut them out right in front of me, and my bundle of 9 cost about $2.50 US.
Dont get me wrong...the HK people love their flesh too. Such a shame...so many better options around but they are still really stuck in their carcass eating ways. Oh well...more fruit for us.My original intent for the market was to find fresh Durian. Its still pretty early in the season (in Feb they are everywhere here and really inexpensive). The market I just walked through didnt have any. But if memory serves me correct, I remember a place that had them early. I walked over there, and yes...
About $2 a pound (Frozen + Gassed Chinatown NYC durians are usually $1.50).
I didnt mind at all, because this is something that you simply cannot get over in the states.They were nice enough to put them in the package for me, and when I took my first bite I started laughing because I forgot just how good these freshies are over here. It simply cant compare. I thought..."hmmm...they are still pretty good in Chinatown/NYC"...but NO.
This is the real deal. So fragrant...so creamy. BLISS.
Im saving a few pillows for my coconut smoothie tomorrow. Life is good...
Mission accomplished. I say Im not obsessed with food, but when you are over here and you can have jackfruit, guavas, and durian for an afternoon snack,there is just no way to not get all geeked out about it.
Come to SE Asia and live the dream. I got the camera holstered on my hip so expect a load of pics in the next few weeks. Peace everyone, wish you were here!
Anthony
