It's not just a few chocolates (and their taste) that have vanished over the years. Some really good beverage brands too have bid farewell, and of course, replaced by rather poor substitutes.
First in this category is Gold Spot, the wonderfully refreshing orange fizz, every bit the "zing thing" it claimed to be! Not too sweet and not too fizzy, Gold Spot was a cherished drink for sure. Moreover, it was shudh desi as it was a Parle product. It is interesting to see how we had real good homegrown products like these before the advent of all those foreign brands in the 90s. Alongside it was Thums Up, one of the most iconic cola drinks of the 1980s and 1990s. A Thums Up bottle in hand used to be a style statement among the youth. Other companion products were Limca, the "lime and lemony," and Citra "super cooler" -- all of which, undeniably, had unique tastes.
Sadly, Parle gave up these brands to the Coca- Cola company which eventually replaced Gold Spot with Fanta.
Apart from richer colour and increased sweetness, Fanta was unable to recreate the charm of Gold Spot (well, this is a personal opinion, yet I'm sure whoever had Gold Spot will agree!). Later came Pepsi, Mirinda, 7Up and Teem from the kitty of Leher Pepsi. Perhaps on account of its striking advertisements, use of celebrities (Bollywood and Indian cricket especially) and catchy jingles, Pepsi was somehow more of a favourite than rival Coca-Cola. However, as with other things, the more Pepsi became popular, the taste was comprised and today, despite various types, even colours (remember blue Pepsi?), this brand too seems to have lost its magic.
In the midst of all these ever-changing products, the only one which has managed to hold on to its original taste is perhaps Frooti, again from the Parle stable, which is still deliciously "mango" and "fresh and juicy"; and I hop eat least this remains so.
As it's always said, 'change is the only constant'. But when once-loved products are cast off because they no longer give that old pleasure, it is hard not to be sad.
Well, may be there are those who don't fancy them much, yet chocolates undeniably offers comfort and are one of the most delicious things under the sun. (PS:- I mean only brown milk chocolates here; no offence to white and dark ones)
In childhood chocolates were occasional treats rather than comfort food. And so they were all the more cherished. Also, sharing liberally was often done with reluctance because it was unlikely that you would get another one anytime soon (thanks to this rare treat, I have only one bad tooth even this late in life ๐)
My all time favourite brand of chocolates is of course, Cadbury. Even the name sounds so delicious, it never brings to mind the eponymous butler in Richie Rich comics. Almost all types of Cadbury are mouthwateringly awesome.
Take for example the ordinary bar. I guess at least a few might agree with me that the only time two bottles of milk felt attractive was on Cadbury's wrappers. There was a time when Cadbury bars used to be thick and totally scrumptious. Imagine when this thick squares came stuffed with raisins and nuts in Fruit and Nut bar ! I still remember the rather shiny grape and fat cashew on the wrapper, a fit prelude to what lies beneath it. In the same league belong Roast Almond too.
Yet another delightful bar was Crackle. The blend of rich chocolate and crunchy crispies was indeed extraordinary.
The gooeyness of 5 Star wasn't always so sought after as the others, yet it was unique in its own way too. Gems used to be so yummy and the chocolate filling was much better; I once got a pencil box in the shape of a rocket from Gems ๐
And then came Perk ! Oh what a truly marvellous thing it was ! The famous advertisement for Perk featuring Preity Zinta perhaps had the best caption ever --- thodi si pet pooja -- indeed it was one of the best chocolaty treat ever.
As though all these were not enough by themselves, some genius at Cadbury tried combining all the above into one super duper feast in the form of Picnic !!! God ! That was THE best chocolate bar ever! Wafer, dry fruits, nougat, caramel all wrapped in rich chocolate. What more could one ask for ! It was a meal in itself because one bar was very filling (trust me, Fuse is not anywhere near this)
And how can I not mention Nutties. Small yet superbly delicious, those cute little rounds had brought immense pleasure once.
Sadly, all of these are in the past tense. Because, over the years Cadbury's taste has painfully declined, and now except Silk, rest all just look brown and taste sugary, zero flavour and totally soulless, leaving one yearn for the old bars.
Picnic is no longer available in India and Perk and Nutties are pathetic imitations of their old selves.
Some time back a friend had sent a video on somebody explaining about this transformation in chocolates, which was attributed to the size of the squares and marketing or some such thing. Whatever be the reason, it's sad that taste is compromised for profits. And even though there are countless new brands and types of chocolates around, they can never be a fit recompense for good old Cadbury.
There may be unimaginable combinations in Madbury and every possible filling for Silk, but can Cadbury ever bring back that old taste?
While talking chocolates, it would be injustice not to mention other brands like Nestle. While not a personal favourite, I'm grateful to Nestle for Quality Street. It was a very rare treat, accessible only when aunts came from abroad since it was not available here back in the past. Every single piece in that was so awesome, mere thought triggers craving. So is the case with Kit Kat, or the version of it my uncle had brought from the ship while he was serving in Indian Navy. I have never had that kind of Kit Kat again till somebody brought Kit Kat Chunky, again from abroad. Galaxy, Vochelle, Snickers, Bounty and Ferrero Rocher -- all from the Gulf -- were also really yummy.
That brings me to the thing I have time and again discussed with friends -- how imported chocolates taste much better than Indian ones. The comparison is quite natural because the difference in taste can be felt by anyone. So, now it is like if you want to have a semblance of tasty chocolate, you will have to shell quite an amount and buy a bar, rather larger than necessary.
All that can be said is simply this -- เคोเค เคฒौเคा เคฆे เคฎेเคฐेเคฌीเคคे Cadbury ๐๐ข
In memory of every moment that Cadbury presented to me in my childhood, this evergreen ad of the time when political correctness mattered little; at least the jingle and Sankar Mahadevan haven't changed.
This is, by no means, my first attempt at blogging. I've wanted to write since forever but all the numerous attempts made so far have been frankly half-hearted. When confidence is non-existent and self-esteem below negative, what can one do but make feeble trials and fizzle out as soon as the last full stop is put? Many have accused me of perfectionism, something I still fail to understand, because I never try to be perfect in the first place !
Be that as it may, there is no end to the times one can try to do something. So, this time I hope I'm able to sustain my efforts. And, in the process, stop being so incredibly shy about using the pronoun 'I', which I find a criminal sin at times ! In times when pronouns have ceased to be a mere part of speech and have acquired identities of their own, I guess it is okay to use "I" and not feel terribly ashamed of it. After all what I think and feel can never be satisfactorily expressed under the neutral and colourless "one"; somehow it feels distant.
And so, here's to another blog and sincere effort to release that "I" which have been trapped for so long, may be unnecessarily. When the whole world puts all thoughts out there every second of every minute, I too can grab a small space out there, can't I? ๐
