Squawk Fox had an article called “Make a Starbucks Frappuccino for $0.32” which kinda blew my mind.  The author reverse engineered the ingredients of the drink and found that the drink could be made at home for approximately 32 cents and the only secret/uncommon ingredient in the whole thing is xanthan gum, a food thickener that keeps the ingredients all mixed up.

I always knew that there was a huge markup on prepared food, but geez. I had no idea it was that much. I guess all that store front, that labor, corporate office, etc really adds up.

Stuff like that really makes me think about how much of eating out is all about convenience and social events more than actual sustenance.

I vaguely recall a passage in one of the Hitchiker’s Guide To The Galazy series that defined the three stages of civilization as 1) How Can I Eat 2) What Should I Eat and 3) Where Should We Go For Lunch.

Sounds about right to me.