High Fructose Corn Syrup and All Dressed Potato Chips

Probably the only thing I remember from taking French in middle school (It was an excellent lesson in how even if you try really super hard, you are not meant to be good - or even ok - at some things in life) was this story my teacher told of living in France. While he was living in France - as a poor student - having the time of his life, he found he missed one thing (product, not place or person, those are different) from America - peanut butter. This being a pre-globalized world he craved it for months without being able to find it . . . and then finally found it in an international foods store across the city. The jar was small, and it cost a ridiculous amount, but he got it and didn't regret it.

it is interesting how different senses connect us to place . . .but that is not my point today. While on my travels in America I craved one thing from Canada (besides my bed - why is it my family loves overly soft mattresses?) - All dressed potato chips. I've only ever had them a few times while i'm here (they are delicious), and I certainly didn't overtly use them as a symbol of Canada . . . . but apparently in some subconscious way I have made the link. Several times over the course of my trip I found myself craving them, but yet since I got back, the urge has been gone and I have not had any.

On the flip side. When I was living in America, I made conscious choices to avoid high fructose corn syrup when I could. Here I had noticed that they don't seem to use it (not that they don't use refined sugar products - just not HFCS) but hadn't really thought much about it. While in America I had a beverage and I could distinctly pick out the taste of HFCS in a way I never could before. . . . and damn was it tasty! So I had more the next chance I got. I see why people claim it is an addictive flavor . . . it certainly is a flavor in a way I don't think I appreciated before. Perhaps I will now start craving it while I am in Canada???