Okay, maybe I’m just going insane, but I’m pretty sure there has been a sharp increase in raspberry-flavoured goods.
I’ve always been a fan of the raspberry, with its tartness and sweetness working in perfect harmony. As a child I used to eat raspberry jam (a rare treat in my house) straight; bread and peanut butter took time to combine into the regulated sandwich. I consumed it far too quickly, which is probably why It was such a real treat in my house. In order to supply me with a constant supply probably would have required second mortgage on our home.
As I aged, my cravings died down, though I continued to have a deep longing for raspberry-esque food products. For a long time there was nothing. I am excluding the occasional sour candy that opted for mis-representing raspberries, which I would eat and then be unimpressed with their piddly attempt at deliciousness.
Then something changed. I’m not sure where or when, but something changed. I didn’t really notice at first; a cran-raspberry blend here and there, raspberry Voortman cookies. Overall nothing special. Then one one trip to North Bay to see Theresa, a Tim Hortons along the way was selling rasberry-filled donuts and TimBits. My mind was blown. Suffice it to say I bought both and consumed them, nearly vibrating with joy that the flavour had found it into the proper channels.
A little later I noticed other raspberry-flavoured foods showing up. Suddenly every drink that wanted to be trendy was including raspberries in them. Alcohol has had a recent influx of raspberry booze. Hell I’ve come across many raspberry-flavoured drinks recently in a variety of styles. Juice, sparkling, crammed full of caffeine. All delicious. I’ve seen gums coming out with raspberry as their proud banner. I’ve even found a recent influx in raspberry-imbued muffins and other confectioneries.
I’m not complaining here people, far from. I’m now living a taste bud utopia where I can enjoy raspberry in more than in conjunction with cranberries, their evil counterpart. I’m truly happy that raspberrys are finally mainstream.
My question is why? Why now, after all this time, is it becoming a normal food product? What happened to the mystery and misunderstanding that once surrounded raspberries? Did someone manage to create the perfect artificial flavour of it? Did someone recently stumble upon an endless field of raspberries trapped in a mountain pass somewhere that we are now exploiting?
I’m happy about the increase in raspberry-related goods, but I wish I knew why there was an increase to begin with.
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