Market Mystery

A new series, cousin to Grocery Games, in which I chronicle mystery items found at the market and attempt to discern what they are.

Today's market mystery: 

These things. 

These weird, deep red, octopus-shaped things were in the fruit section at our weekly neighborhood Saturday market... are they fruit? flowers? vegetables?  In the heat of the moment I decided they looked like they would be an essential component of the Lord of Darkeness' tablescape in Legend:

Then, the next day, while bopping around Chatuchak, Bangkok's massive weekend market, we saw this drink for sale next to the lime juice and coconut water we were eyeing:

Roselle (with questionable spelling).  

Ah ha, mystery solved!  Roselle is a variety of hibiscus.  The drink, which in Thailand can be hot or cold, is supposed to be good for your cholesterol.  Now we know.  And knowing is half the battle.