One thing I always hated about living in Seoul was that certain types of fresh produce were generally quite expensive. Traditional Korean staples are relatively cheap (with rice being a glaring exception), but if I wanted blueberries, raspberries, asparagus, or some such, it was always at a premium. Even bananas are kind of expensive (though less so now). Part of it is because of lingering protectionism and that may erode as South Korea gets into more FTAs, like the one with Chile.
Unfortunately, Hawaii is just as bad, since almost everything has to be shipped here from the Mainland or some other country. (Even locally grown stuff, like bananas, macadamia nuts, and pineapple, ain't so cheap.)
But at least in Korea, once a year, you could head down to Taegu and buy a giant box of great-tasting apples for about 10,000 won, something to eat up and share with friends or family. Can’t do that in Hawaii.
[photo: Just look at the way the woman on the left gently cups the fruit dangling from the branch. Gives me a warm feeling all over just thinking about it.]
Daegu has great tasting apples you say?
ReplyDelete... it's a matter of opinions, i guess.
I think it depends on the type. I've had some to-die-for apples from Taegu (including some that I bought at 10,000 won per box near Sobaeksan National Park) but I've also had some just-okay apples from Taegu as well.
ReplyDeleteI suppose Taegu apples are like, say, California wine, with its world-renowned premium wineries not far from its wine factories producing wine in a box (or twist-top bottle).
The reputation comes from the best among them, though lingering bad impressions can be made by the worst among them.