Had the sign at the farmers' market said "yellow prune," I would have walked right by.
But it didn't. It said, "dried golden plum," and I spent $5 a pound. Only when I got home did I realize I'd been swayed by the power of a name.
And who hasn't? Let's consider some examples:
1. Mini hamburgers have been around for years. (Hello, White Castle.) But call them sliders and you can charge $8 a pop.
2. Kids who wouldn't go near a "yogurt shake" will suck down a smoothie in 2 seconds flat.
3. Growing up in New York, I'd eat the occasional Clementine. But here in California, where they're called Cuties, people (and by people, I mean me) buy them by the crate.
4. Mahi-mahi and dolphinfish. Same exact fish, but who wants to even think about dolphins when eating a fish sandwich? (Neither has anything to do with dolphins, which are mammals, but that's almost beside the point.)
5. How about rapeseed oil? If you think you've never heard of it, think again. It's canola.
6. Which sounds tastier: a Chinese gooseberry, or a kiwi?
I'm such a sucker for marketing.
