Today one of my students came to class early -- with a present! I was excited. It was an edible present. She said that there was a Russian candy bar that she liked and wanted to share one with me. Cool. No obvious tampering the the wrapper and it was intact. I thought it was like a granola bar because the label said "с миндальным орехом" (with almonds) and it had the texture of a granola bar. She said that it was more like fudge.As she was about to leave she told me that it was prescribed to her by a pharmacist who thought she had anemia. "Why?" I questioned.
"It's made with cow's blood."
Right. I'm pretty open-minded about food. (I'll try anything multiple times in hopes my taste buds have changed and I like it again.) I didn't feel disgusted at the thought at all. I was more surprised that this sanguine snack food was wrapped up like a candy bar was readily available and some of my other students liked it and ate it fairly regularly -- and didn't even know it was made with cow's blood!
I haven't tried mine yet, but I will and will let you know what I think. In case you're interested in importing it to your local convenience store, it's called Гематоген (Gematogen or Hemotogen) -- which the Wikipedia article on this snack bar informs me is Greek for "blood-maker."
