Gaz

Have you ever had this before? Julie asked, handing me a piece of Gaz candy, wrapped in a shiny, peach-colored wrapper. No, no I had not. Especially since, as Julie informed me, you can only get this particular brand in Iran. And in her boyfriend's hometown of Isfahan, nonetheless.

I thought they were full of cardamom and Julie guessed saffron. But as it turns out, that mysterious flavor is gaz angebin, a sweet, sticky plant residue harvested by insects and left on treetops. Also, there's a bit of rosewater mixed in, plus egg whites and pistachios. What a perfect summer chew. Maybe if I'm awfully nice to Amirali, he'll ask his Dad to bring me a whole box next time.