With three scoops of heaven in my cup, I reached for the chocolate topping bottle, flipped the lid open, and poured a hefty amount of syrup all over the ice cream. However, the process and presentation was not as magical as I thought it would be. It took a couple of seconds before the chocolate hardened. It was eternity for a boy like me. Also, there was an oil-like fluid that flowed out of the bottle prior to the supposed content. I still ate it anyway. Halfway through, I took a slight interest in reading the text at the back of the bottle. It read:
Magic Shell works best when SHAKEN VERY WELL, BEFORE EACH USE, turn bottle upside down and shake well for at least 20 seconds. If Magic Shell BECOMES THICK and does not flow easily, or IF OIL SEPARATION OCCURS, run the bottle under hot tap water for up to 2 minutes, shaking occasionally. DO NOT REFRIGERATE. If refrigerated or stored in a cool place, Magic Shell will harden. Run under hot water until Magic Shell turns liquid. Store at room temperature.The label explained everything. It was my fault the magic did not happen but it was all good. An ice cream is still an ice cream regardless if it is served with Smucker's Magic Shell topping or not.
It got me thinking. Apparently, using Smucker's Magic Shell is complex enough to warrant verbal instructions, while other pressing matters such as coping with loss, mending hearts, soul searching, finding connections, post-date follow ups and other life crises are left to our internal intuitive knowledge. They do not come with absolute dos and don'ts so I figure they ought to be handled in the simplest, least stressful way possible.
