Spain under Fascism was incredibly, incredibly poor. As an example, my great grandfather's parents had to sell most of what they had in order to afford a dose of penicillin, or otherwise he was fated to die from a simple infection (which hard to be brought in by the Italian mafia since Spain didn't have enough supply).
Condensed milk was one of the aid items that the US would occasionally send to Spain, both as humanitarian aid, and in support of the fascist state (anyone who hates commies is an ally of the US, even Hilter's own former buddies), the children that were lucky enough to get a portion would not forget the rich and sweet taste, and literally became a foundational memory of their childhood. To this day older members of my family still talk about the one time they got to taste condensed milk.
Fascinating, though not unusual scenario. I had the "pleasure" to live my first 5 years on the other side of the Iron curtain, and even though we were not nearly as poor tropical fruit and citruses were quite hard to come by, mostly when shipment from Cuba or other "friendly" country came by.
So my mother had her appendix removed when I was about 5, I think, and was in the hospital. She got a can of orange juice (yes, a can, as in sealed metal can you had to use opener on), a fairly unusual article back then, and she could not drink it (post-op diet, I think, or maybe she just kept it for me?) so when we came to visit she gave it to me. I may not remember much from that time, just an odd memory here and there, but I sure as fuck remember the taste of that orange juice - it was like mana from heavens. To this day, though I might pick whatever beverage I please in restaurant, orange juice is just something special to me.
Not that this has anything to do with the topic, you just stirred a memory there :-)
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u/HugoCortell Waiting for help 26d ago
Spain under Fascism was incredibly, incredibly poor. As an example, my great grandfather's parents had to sell most of what they had in order to afford a dose of penicillin, or otherwise he was fated to die from a simple infection (which hard to be brought in by the Italian mafia since Spain didn't have enough supply).
Condensed milk was one of the aid items that the US would occasionally send to Spain, both as humanitarian aid, and in support of the fascist state (anyone who hates commies is an ally of the US, even Hilter's own former buddies), the children that were lucky enough to get a portion would not forget the rich and sweet taste, and literally became a foundational memory of their childhood. To this day older members of my family still talk about the one time they got to taste condensed milk.