To eat or not to eat?
(Miscellaneous honey product: Glasgow, Scotland)
I was presented with this as a belated birthday present at the weekend. It was given with no instruction, no title, no information at all, other than it is Italian and some form of honey related product. Upon cutting open the cuboid of polystyrene, it revealed a squat, medicinal glass bottle and a tiny plastic spoon wedged into tight moulded crevasses inside the box, like the stone of an avocado. Apparently the gifters made an attempt to translate the box to no avail. All I know about the contents of the bottle I have deduced from its surroundings:
- It was bought in Italy, therefore it is likely to be an Italian brand or item.
- There is a picture of a bee on it, therefore it must be a bee related item – perhaps wax, honey or Royal Jelly.
- The enclosed spoon suggests it is edible, though the spoon’s miniscule size is confusing. The fact that it needs refrigerated also denotes it may be for eating.
- The carefully sealed styrene box suggests it is quite precious or fragile.
- The amount of honey-like substance in the jar is also tiny, signifying it is rare, expensive or potent.
- The taste of the substance (I have tried it a couple of times) is rather tangy, sour and bitter tasting, though similar to honey in texture and appearance. It is not altogether pleasant – I would certainly not spread it on toast or consume it in large amounts.
I therefore posit that the substance could very well be Royal Jelly – in which case it might be very good for me. I remember reading a Roald Dahl story of the same name about a man who feeds it to his child and it begins to grow yellow fuzz and make a slight buzzing sound. I’m sure that was simply fiction, so I am going to continue medicating myself with it if I am feeling slightly off colour. If anyone has another suggestion or advice on whether to eat it or not, do let me know! I cannot read any of the instructions, except “Conservare in Frigo” which I took to mean, “conserve in fridge”. Gosh, my grasp of Italian is really impressive.
– Today Rosie is drawing and emailing, clicking about and playing badminton in Glasgow, UK –
