the KAKI moment.

Do you know what a kaki is?

In this part of the world it sells under this name, in other parts of the world it's called a persimmon. Hell, I even seen it labeled as "Sharon" around here! Who would want to eat a Sharon?!
In essence is a type of plum, a Japanese plum that is absolutely delicious. I think so now but first time I was a little underwhelmed by its blandness. Turns out, it just wasn't as ripe as it should.

I love introducing people to new foods whatever they are: fruits, weird recipes, beers, even places where they make some special food ( think Thai Ice Cream or Korean bbq!). I think that finding something new and awesome brings a lot to one's life. Buuuuut, people are mostly not impressed. Damn, it's hard to impress anyone these days!
"Yeah, it's ok..."
"It's good!" [ proceeds to never buy it on their own ever again]
GRR, this grinds my gears. But what can I do? Experiment, discover, share. One day, someone will love my discoveries
[ Looking at you KIMCHI!!! Why is everyone so disgusted by kimchi?! I wonder if this is because it's alive, it ferments, rots, choke full of bacteria, spiciness and cabbage. Also it stinks. OH well, you're not making this easy are you, KIMCHI?! ]

Back to this kaki fruit, I heard of it and tasted once or twice with no lasting impression on me, until I got a perfectly riped one. I remember that first bite, because...believe it or not.. I had a revelation. As the sweet juice made sweet love with my taste buds, pleasure centers exploded in my head and I had a vision of all things that life has to offer that we're missing out. I felt sad for a microsecond as to how much we're not experimenting, and never will...but also that there's so much to life to grab and enjoy. I felt a thirst of life, a will to live, a push to be present that I rarely felt so intense in my life before.
That is The KAKI moment.

I look back on that moment a lot, desperately trying to keep it present in my awareness. It helps that every time I buy the fruit, I think of it. I am yet to eat another kaki like that one but I will always be grateful for what it gave me and I'm always, always buying kakis for people who never tried it.

Maybe one day, someone will have a kaki moment and feel a small change to the better in their life.
( And if not, do you want some kimchi?! )