By G.J. (8th Grade)

For the most part, people love their countries, and countries love their national treat. That’s why, for instance, the British couldn’t stand American chocolate during the second World War. They claimed it was disgusting, that it tasted of vomit, and yet we know better; it was simply because of an old grudge the British still bore against the Americans for their victory in the Revolutionary War. The British wished to retain the same amount of patriotism all the way from those big things that matter in life to sugary junk food.

The same patriotism can be said of the Bulgarians. Bulgaria, with her handbag full of seemingly arbitrary decisions (like any other country), has chosen to enact a very strict code referring to which cookies, candies, certain baked goods, confectionary items, and the like can be imported in and exported out of the country. That’s why the most common kind of foreign sweet isn’t the kind you get at a Walmart or whatever store you have nearby. No, they eat truffle fluffies, imported all the way from the British Isles.

I suspect that you’re curious as to what such a ridiculous sounding name as truffle fluffies could possibly mean. Truffle fluffies are no ordinary treat. After years of cultivation, these confectionary masterpieces have triumphed over all previous contestants. Frankly, they are magnificent. The mouthwatering smell, the creamy, even gooey texture of these truffle-flavored marshmallows, the liberal sprinkle of rare herbs and spices that lighten even the heaviest of atmospheres, the way in which they emit beams of radiating light in dark corridors during your midnight snack, the tranquil trance one can retain for hours simply by staring at a pile of these candies; they all add to its majesty

You might say that a kind of pseudo-Bulgarian culture has developed around their near addiction to truffle fluffies. While the cities, where over-consumption is banned and one must be past the age of majority to acquire this food, have a low tolerance to these treats, most small Bulgarian towns and villages have three or four stores entirely dedicated to selling and distributing truffle fluffies and similar sweets, where in recent times, they’ve had to restock almost every week.

Superstitions have accumulated over the years regarding these treats. For instance, when truffle fluffie distribution is at its peak, the chances of the local soccer team, CSKA (Cyrillic: ЦСКА) winning skyrockets, which has led to sales increasing rapidly as avid fans stock up on treats before a game. Another belief is that if you tossed a bag of truffle fluffies over your middle shoulder at a wild dog while pinching your nose when the moon is in its waxing crescent stage, you’ll be cured of head lice within the hour.