It was introduced a little under a century ago and was among the first products to make use of a now-ubiquitous transparent substance. It is sold in a container specially designed to suggest its name, and it is quite possible that a number of people received an example today. What is it?

gman89

I'm guessing a glass. Like a glass of water. Feb 14 07, 5:36 PM

peasypod

Well, silica gel is used as a component when drying flowers, and that came into existance around 1919, but getting a sample with a bouquet of roses is something I've not come across. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silica_gel Perhaps I'd better keep looking... Feb 14 07, 5:44 PM

lanfranco

Glass has been around for a very long time. Peasy, your response contains a word that is directly relevant. This item is almost certainly best known in the U.S. I'll add that shortly after World War II, the company helped devise something that would allow its products to be sold during the hottest months of the years. Feb 14 07, 6:03 PM

MandyL

Cubic Zirconia is a cubic form of zirconium oxide that is created in a laboratory, thus it is not a mineral. Since CZ is transparent, it is often faceted. Cubic Zirconia was discovered in its natural state in 1937 by two German mineralogists, von Stackelberg and Chudoba. Am I right? http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go340/students/berg/cz.html Feb 14 07, 6:31 PM

lanfranco

Nope, though that's an interesting answer. I suppose I'll have to add that I'm talking about something edible and that the many and varied components of the item in question can be said to be much older than one century. Feb 14 07, 6:36 PM

gman89

This is killing me... some form of transparent ice cream? I have no idea. Feb 14 07, 7:01 PM

lanfranco

For heaven's sake, people, it's Valentine's Day! What edible item is most commonly associated with this day? That should give you a start. Feb 14 07, 7:09 PM

peasypod

I'm sticking with my word 'gel'. Now, gelatin what??? There's those 'Peeps' things I've come across that are made from gelatin, and apparently they make little hearts for V Day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peeps Never heard of em, personally. Feb 14 07, 7:12 PM

gman89

Chocolate?! But it just isn't transparent! And it must have been invented much longer than 100 years. Arghgh! Feb 14 07, 7:13 PM

MandyL

Something like these marshmallow hearts? They're made from gelatin... http://www.orientaltrading.com/application?namespace=browse&mode=Browsing&origin=/products/_K1174.jsp&event=link.externalProductDetails&sku=/K1174&topLevelCategoryId=377323&parentCategoryId=377584&categoryId=377657&tabId=Holidays&BP=8067&cm_mmc=srchdex-_-DECORATED+MARSHMALLOW+HEARTS+%286+OZ%29-_-srchdex-_-srchdex&CM_REF=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ca%2Fsearch%3Fhl%3Den%26rls%3DGGLD%252CGGLD%253A2004-52%252CGGLD%253Aen%26q%3Dmarshmallow%2Bhearts%26meta%3D Feb 14 07, 7:20 PM

gman89

Jello? It's transparent. I love eating it in the summer. It must be... Feb 14 07, 7:31 PM

queproblema

Now, come on. This has to be a box of chocolates in a heart-shaped box wrapped in cellophane. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane Feb 14 07, 7:34 PM

What-A-Mess

Cadbury! Feb 14 07, 7:40 PM

queproblema

After I settled back down on the handle I'd flown off of and actually read all the interesting replies, I doubted my answer. I can't connect it to Peasy's idea. Still, "Whitman's introduced the perennial popular and still best selling Whitman's Sampler in 1912. This marked the first use of cellophane by the candy industry. In 1946 Whitman's helped General Electric to develop a refrigerated display case to prevent melting of the product and extend the selling season through the summer months." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitman%27s The heart-shaped box of chocolates I was given today isn't Whitman's in cellophane, but Ferrero Rocher in gold foil and....plastic. Feb 14 07, 7:44 PM

gman89

Those are all really good answers, in my opinion. But that would still leave the "sold in the hottest months of the year" part. Feb 14 07, 7:49 PM

lanfranco

Brilliant, qp! You are absolutely right! The famous Whitman's Sampler is exactly what I had in mind. And cellophane is, of course, the "transparent substance." A chocolate truffle, lightly dusted with silver and gold leaf, is yours for the taking. Happy Valentine's Day. Feb 14 07, 7:52 PM

What-A-Mess

1854 The first packaged box of Whitman's chocolate debuts. 1868 Richard Cadbury introduces the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates. Feb 14 07, 7:58 PM

MandyL

Well done que. Feb 14 07, 7:59 PM

What-A-Mess

The Ferrero is, by far, better! Decadence! Feb 14 07, 8:00 PM

lanfranco

Oh, I'll agree, WAM. I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but my husband the Maven wants chocolate for Valentine's Day every year. After wrapping his favorites this afternoon, I decided to do a little research on the subject. Feb 14 07, 8:07 PM

peasypod

Chocolates eh? Who would have thought. So, my giving pesto and chilli really isn't traditional then? ;)) Feb 14 07, 8:44 PM

queproblema

Well, thank you Frankie. I could send a small portion of the truffle with a basil leaf on top to Peasy as a consolation prize. Feb 15 07, 8:38 AM

peasypod

I make a lot of petit fours and tortas with chilli and chocolate, but I've not tried the basil and chocolate combo before. Could be interesting... Feb 15 07, 2:27 PM