We simply wanted a peaceful dinner. Nothing fancy, just a nice restaurant in the city center with fragrant cuisine and soft music. But the evening developed into a nightmare. My friend ordered a salad with avocado and quinoa. Everything looked fantastic, until she froze with her fork halfway to her mouth. — Do you see it? She asked, pointing to something on the platter.
The salad’s surface was covered in small black particles that resembled chia seeds. For a second, we considered: “Maybe it’s just spices or some trendy topping.” But her expression became increasingly strained. We leaned closer, and our blood ran cold. The “seeds” were actually moving. Small, nearly transparent spheres with dark spots inside… These were eggs. Some type of insect eggs. Right in the meal.
The shock came first, followed by the yelling. Waiters raced over to explain, but we had already called an ambulance. We had no idea what critter had lay the eggs, or if we had eaten any. My friend began panicking, either out of dread or nausea. At the hospital, they examined us, did tests, prescribed medication “just in case,” and instructed us to watch for symptoms. We did, of course, submit a complaint about the eatery.
They attempted to explain it as a “technical error” or “spoiled ingredients from a supplier,” but it didn’t matter. After such a supper, trust is lost. Since then, every time I see chia seeds, I recall that night.
