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Hong Kong's Black Market for Cookies

It's just three small words, but it's taking Hong Kong by storm.

Jenny's butter cookies.

In fact, the treats are such a hot commodity they've even got their own black market. This refers to the illegal buying and selling of controlled or banned goods.

In our next story, you'll hear the word 'queuing'.. this just means to wait your turn or file in line.

Andrew Stevens reports from Hong Kong.


   --REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS--

THERE'S NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT QUEUING IN HONG KONG.

PEOPLE HERE WILL HAPPILY LINE UP FOR THE CHANCE OF SNAPPING UP A DEAL OR TURNING A QUICK PROFIT.

BUT THIS QUEUE IS DIFFERENT.

(Andrew Stevens, CNN) "So welcome to the new hot queue in Hong Kong. It's not for financial products, not for collectibles, not for coins. It's food. In fact it's a butter cookie."

JENNY'S BUTTER COOKIES ARE RED HOT IN HONG KONG…

LOCALS OF ALL TYPES AND TOURISTS FROM NEAR … AND FAR …  ARE LINING UP.

(Andrew Stevens, CNN) "So we've been waiting here for about 10 or 15 or so maybe another 20 minutes. If you don't want to wait there's a black market in jenny's butter cookies … follow me."

IT'S JUST AROUND THE CORNER, IN THE HEART OF FAMOUS TSIM TSA TSUI SHOPPING DISTRICT.

THE TOUTS ARE EASY ENOUGH TO SPOT… THEY ARE THOUGH A LITTLE PUBLICITY SHY.

ONCE YOU MAKE CONTACT IT'S A TREK INTO A MULTI-STORY MAZE KEEPING CLOSE TO YOUR GUIDE …

THE SEARCH ENDS AT THIS LITTLE CORNER SHOP STOCKED, I AM TOLD, WITH THE REAL THING.

CAMERAS DEFINITELY NOT WELCOME

THE COST FOR A TIN IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 15 DOLLARS THAT'S A MARK-UP OF  ABOUT 70%.

MEANWHILE OUTSIDE THE REAL JENNY'S, THE QUEUE IS MOVING.

WE'RE GIVEN TICKETS TO ENTER THE INNER SANCTUM IN THIS CASE YET ANOTHER MAZE OF SHOPS.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF WARNINGS HERE FROM JENNY'S MANAGEMENT ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF SELLING AND OF COURSE FAKES.

(Andrew Stevens, CNN) "So, this is what all the fuss is about. How good are Jenny's butter cookies. That's pretty good start.  Yeah …. Buttery"

BUT IF I'M A LITTLE, WELL, UNDERWHELMED …  I DO SEEM TO BE IN A MINORITY.

(Mos, no name provided) Very good.

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN HONG KONG


Website: Fact Monster, Hong Kong