Tal forwarded me this Straight Dope column about circus peanuts. I do not like them. They are a disturbing texture and just plain taste bad.
Buried in the middle of the column is this:
“Over the years the best-selling item has been orange in color, banana in flavor, and peanut in shape.”
Banana flavor? I never would’ve identified it as that, being misled by the color and the shape. But now…yes, banana. I guess that’s what it is.
No wonder I dislike them. “Banana” is perhaps the worst of the artificial fruit flavors, with “lime” coming up not far behind.
I have a soft spot for Circus peanuts because my grandmother LOVED them and my mom LOVES them. That said, I never actually eat them.
Ha. I think they’re like the urban legend of candy–everyone knows _of_ someone who eats them. But no one eats them themselves…
What artificial lime foodstuffs are you thinking of, incidentally? Green lifesavers aren’t bad, at least compared to the horrible lemon ones.
My friend Suzanne deliberately seeks out artificial banana-flavored things when she’s had a really bad day. Banana Runts used to be an emergency consolation device. The theory is that the minute you eat a banana Runt, your day can only get *so* much better after that, and assuredly will, and really you can face almost anything after that. I wonder if eating a circus peanut might have a similarly perspective-altering effect?
You do have to brave to try this technique, though. Under Suzanne’s guidance, I ate a banana PowerBar once and immediately retched.
You’re braver than I am, sister! Although I like the idea of taking control of the worst moment in your day. Maybe I _will_ pad my pockets with circus peanuts…though I can see how Runts would be more durable, and discreet.