Summary

The author reflects on the experience of purchasing an unusual snack called "Mouth Party," which remained uneaten in the refrigerator for nearly two years, only to be discarded after discovering its unpleasant, fishy expired taste.

Abstract

The article "A FOODIE MISHAP" narrates the author's personal story of buying a quirky snack named Mouth Party, primarily attracted by its amusing name and packaging. Despite the initial intention to enjoy it with friends, the snack remained forgotten in the fridge. The occasion to try it never presented itself, and it was only when the author's kitchen was otherwise bare that Mouth Party was rediscovered. Unfortunately, upon opening, the snack's pungent smell and its expiration, coupled with an unexpected fish flavor, led to its disposal rather than consumption. The author uses this experience to question readers about the forgotten, unlikely-to-be-eaten food items in their own refrigerators and concludes by promoting membership in Medium to support writers.

Opinions

The author finds the concept of a "Mouth Party" amusing and the packaging appealing, which influenced the purchase.
There is a sense of regret and humor in the realization that the snack, once thought to be a fun experience, was never actually enjoyed.
The author implies a preference for trying new and interesting foods, suggesting an adventurous palate.
The discovery of the snack's expired status and fishy flavor is met with disappointment and a comedic description of the snack's unappealing nature.
The author's stomach's negative reaction to the smell indicates a strong aversion to the idea of consuming the expired Mouth Party.
There is a touch of irony in the author's ability to eat almost anything yet being unable to stomach this particular snack.
The article ends with a reflection on the human tendency to hold onto things with the intention of using them one day, only to eventually discard them, drawing a parallel to unfulfilled promises in life.

A FOODIE MISHAP

Farewell to the Mouth Party

A tribute to the random food that lurks in our refrigerators

Some unusual snacks are better off unsampled. Photo by Engin Akyurt.

We all have one. That random packet, can, or jar of food we bought because it looked interesting and we’re desperate to prove we’re still an interesting person.

We take it home with our groceries — that tasty and unique-looking snack we’ll enjoy trying one day. But that “one day” never comes.

I bought Mouth Party back in February 2021 — mainly because I found the name amusing. Also, there’s a guy in a green suit on the packet giving both thumbs up. Not one thumb, people, both. Besides, green is my favourite colour.

Aside from “Mouth Party”, the only other English text on the packet said, “Tastes Wonderful”.

Well, I like things that taste wonderful, so forthwith I purchased Mouth Party. It’d be a fun snack to try with friends.

The occasion never arose, though. My friends preferred to dine on potato chips. That’s crisps if you’re a pom.

And so Mouth Party lurked in my fridge for almost two years, forlorn and uneaten.

Until this morning.

I took Mouth Party out from the shadows of my fridge, where it had laid silent and still for so long, and examined the packet.

This is Mouth Party. Photo and crappy editing by author.

Mouth Party consists of nine small squares of tofu marinated in something red. Maybe it was something sweet, maybe it was something chili. I like both flavours.

I decided that Mouth Party would be the perfect accompaniment for my morning coffee. Also, both my fridge and cupboard were bare.

I opened Mouth Party and almost immediately something pungent whacked me in the nostrils. Kind of like how a ten-tonne truck that was 16 hours late delivering a heart-transplant organ would whack you if you stepped out onto a highway.

Upon closer inspection, I saw that Mouth Party’s expiry date was May 2021 and the red stuff was something fishy. Fishy like the small wood carving the Brady Kids found in Hawaii and fishy like made from actual fish and prawns and stuff.

My stomach clenched and threatened to unleash a mighty technicolour yawn.

Now, I have what you call a garbage disposal unit of a gut.

I can eat anything and everything. I’ve thrown up from bad food just once in my entire adult life.

But fish-flavoured tofu wasn’t what I was expecting to accompany my nice cup of morning coffee.

I’m not even putting Mouth Party in the bin under my sink. It’s going out to the street in the big bin.

Sorry, Mouth Party, I’m sure you’re a delicious snack but your flavours are not for me. I shouldn’t have strung you along, keeping you in my fridge for years all whilst dangling the promise of eating you one day, kind of like how companies dangle the promise of a decent salary increase one day.

So now I have no choice but to throw you out like a piece of rubbish. For you truly are a rubbish snack.

And what about you, dearest reader? What lurks in your fridge or cupboard? What food have you promised to eat one day but we all know you never will?

This isn’t the only pungent adventure I’ve had. Did you know that I was once a woman in gas?

The Trials and Tribulations of One Gassy Woman

True tales from my time as a Woman in Gas

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