Flaming fire flakes were sold in many former Fire Nation colonies during festivals and celebrations.
Flaming fire flakes are a common snack in Fire Nation territories. Consisting of flakes covered with special spices and roasted at extremely high temperatures, fire flakes are infamous for being hot, though this may vary depending on the cook. It is believed that the fire flakes in the colonies are not as tasty as those in the Fire Islands.[1] Badly prepared or expired fire flakes can cause bodily reactions that have been likened to breathing fire.[2] Eating too many fire flakes can cause people to pass out due to their intense heat.[3]
History[]
By the 3rd century BG, fire flakes were exported to the Earth Kingdom. Lek once consumed some but got food poisoning.[2]
In 95 AG, Fire Lord Ozai's coronation was accompanied by festivities in the Fire Nation Capital which included a "Flaming Fire Flake Competition". The participants competed to see who could eat the most before passing out.[3]
During the Hundred Year War, fire flakes were considered Fire Nation contraband and were banned in Omashu. The traveling merchant Fan was denied entry to the city for possessing fire flakes among his belongings, and he instead had to turn to a group of adventurers to deliver a package of komodo sausages to his friend Zhang.[4]
Aang, Katara, and Sokka visited a Fire Nation colony to attend a local festival in 99 AG, as Aang was searching for a firebending master. A starving Sokka bought some flaming fire flakes from a nearby booth and wolfed down the food, only to discover that the snack was unbearably hot. He attempted to cool down his tongue by wiping off the remainder of the snack.[5] However, Sokka seemed to enjoy the food, as he asked Aang to bring him back some of the spicy snack when he and the rest of Team Avatar attended a play in the Ember Island Theater.[6]
The snack was not only consumed on special occasions, but was also enjoyed on ordinary days. Mai once ate fire flakes out of a large bowl, even offering some to her distressed father after they had learned of an apparent outbreak of pentapox in Omashu.[7]
Trivia[]
- Every year there are competitions to rate the best flaming fire flakes.[8]
- Eventually, people developed many variations of flaming fire flakes, including some that come packaged in bags that never go stale.[8]
- Out of all these variations, Zuko's favorite are the shrimp flakes from the Fire Nation Royal Palace kitchens.[8]
- A real-world adaptation of this snack is shown in a recipe from Avatar: The Last Airbender Cookbook: Official Recipes from the Four Nations.[9]