[riffraff]

I recall gold flake vodka sold in random shops in Budapest years ago too, but it was considered a premium product.

Gold leaf is stupid cheap, but it still carries a "valuable" aura.

When Gualtiero Marchesi, the most influential Italian chef of last century, used gold leaf with saffron risotto he made it to play with colors and presentation, but most likely he also aimed at making it feel more "precious".

We're all creatures of irrationality.