Once in every generation an invention comes along that not so much changes the world as redefines it. An invention so subtle and pervasive that we can no longer imagine life without it, no longer think back to a time when it was not part of the fabric of our lives. An invention that is so fundamental that access to it becomes part of our basic rights as human beings.
Well, this is not it. What it is however is a new type of instant drink that combines three old favorites into one ... coffee, milk and tea! I sampled it in Lhasa airport a few weeks back while waiting for a flight back to Beijing and had nearly forgotten about it, until I re-discovered the empty sachet in the pocket of my overcoat this morning, along with some fluff and a paperclip.
Desperation drove me to it. Hot water is freely available in Lhasa airport, but no cups! So I bought the sachet which came complete with styrofoam cup and a nice no-spill lid, so that I would have something to put the water in.
I can confirm that this sachet, when mixed with hot water combined the flavors of the three famous beverages quite convincingly, along with another flavor that is hard to place but resembles malted baby sick. There were some strange looking chunks in the packet too (see illustration) but I decided to leave those out when I added the water. One can have too much adventure and excitement in one day.
So there you have it. The world's three famous beverages that nourish and comfort three quarters of humanity are now available in a single sachet, obviating at a stroke the need to buy any of them separately again. The world's homemakers rejoice, Nestle and Kraft execs are fired for missing this one while Progress marches ever onwards.
Well, this is not it. What it is however is a new type of instant drink that combines three old favorites into one ... coffee, milk and tea! I sampled it in Lhasa airport a few weeks back while waiting for a flight back to Beijing and had nearly forgotten about it, until I re-discovered the empty sachet in the pocket of my overcoat this morning, along with some fluff and a paperclip.
Desperation drove me to it. Hot water is freely available in Lhasa airport, but no cups! So I bought the sachet which came complete with styrofoam cup and a nice no-spill lid, so that I would have something to put the water in.
I can confirm that this sachet, when mixed with hot water combined the flavors of the three famous beverages quite convincingly, along with another flavor that is hard to place but resembles malted baby sick. There were some strange looking chunks in the packet too (see illustration) but I decided to leave those out when I added the water. One can have too much adventure and excitement in one day.
So there you have it. The world's three famous beverages that nourish and comfort three quarters of humanity are now available in a single sachet, obviating at a stroke the need to buy any of them separately again. The world's homemakers rejoice, Nestle and Kraft execs are fired for missing this one while Progress marches ever onwards.
