Taste Test: deep fried Kool-Aid

I must admit that after last year's "Kool-Aid Pickles," I was not enthusiastic about deep-fried Kool-Aid. I thought it would end up being like the deep-fried Coca-Cola from a few years ago: slightly damp, odd-tasting, not something that would inspire you to have seconds. (Notice the dearth of places selling deep-fried Coke around the Fair this year.)

Turns out I was wrong.

I got my Kool-Aid from a D&J's Concessions booth for $5. Deep fried Kool-Aid is sweet dough, flavored with cherry Kool-Aid powder, topped with a mix of powdered sugar and more Kool-Aid powder.

The dough is pleasant and cherrylike but the surprise is inside: a middle with a pudding-like cherry filling. The filling has an intense, tangy flavor of cherry that isn't overwhelmingly sweet. Strangely and surprisingly delicious.

When I do taste tests, I usually have someone share the item with me. In a few cases, several someones! The same was true for this deep fried Kool-Aid but I think I could have happily finished it by myself.

As it is, I might pick up a second helping this week and share that too.