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6 of The World's Strangest Foods you Won't Want to Try

9/25/2018

17 Comments

 

Guest Blogger: Colton Davis

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​While you might be able to find gourmet cuisine scattered throughout the world, you’ll also come across a bevy of less appealing dishes which’ll make your stomach turn. Let’s take a journey through the culinary sphere, as we explore six of the world’s strangest foods you won’t want to try in a hurry.
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1) Shirako - Japan

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​This Japanese delicacy literally translates to “white children” in the native tongue. This somewhat ambiguous name becomes a little clearer when you learn the primary ingredient is the sperm sac of cod, angler fish or puffer fish. 
 
These little blobs look more like brains than anything else, and are said to have the consistency and taste of butter once you bite into them. Shirako has become something of a cult icon in recent times, leading to many YouTubers trying it and raising awareness of the controversial nibble. 
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2) ​Jellied Moose Nose – Canada 

​When it comes the more Northern terrains of Canada, ensuring you get every last morsel of nutrition from your food can sometimes be a necessity. That’s clearly what led to the creation of the rather unappealing delicacy of jellied moose nose. 
 
It’s exactly as it sounds, with the nose first boiled with onions and spices before the hair is removed and it’s boiled again. Next it’s sliced into thin strips, before being covered with a broth that has the consistency of gloop. Certainly not one for the fussy eaters out there.
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3) Casu Marzu – Italy ​

This is one of the grimmest things we’ve ever heard – but is amazingly considered something of a delicacy on the Italian island of Sardinia. The primary ingredient in this delightful mix? Maggots. 
 
Yes, you read that correctly. For some ungodly reason Sardinians have developed a soft spot for cheese which is teeming with maggot larvae. Distressingly, some of these bugs have been known to leap as high as 15cm, according to 1Cover. They also, perhaps unsurprisingly, leave a very strong aftertaste.
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4) Huitaloche – Mexico ​

​We’re not sure who first picked up a diseased corn husk and decided they’d like to see what it tasted like; but whoever it was seems to have started a trend in Mexico. 
 
Huitaloche is created when the fungus known as corn smut attaches itself to kernels. This corrupts the corn, causing it to expand like a tumour and grow blue and black fungi spores. Sounds delicious, right? 
 
This interesting recipe is said to have a woody and earthy flavour which the locals love. We wouldn’t advise the addition of mould to your system, however. Just as a kicker, the name itself translates to “sleeping excrement”. Yum.
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5) ​Airag – Mongolia

At first, airag doesn’t sound too bad – it’s Mongolian horse milk. However, it’s milk with a grimace-worthy twist. Once the horse has been milked, the liquid is left in the sun for about a week, which makes it ferment and creates a sour taste with a slight fizz.
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6) Balut – Philippines ​

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Have you ever fancied chomping down on a partly developed duck egg? No, us neither. However, for some reason this has become a national delicacy in the Philippines. A fertilised duck egg is boiled, before the shell is carefully removed. 
 
Salt, chilli and vinegar is then added the mix. When eating Balut, expect to crunch down on the bones of the duckling. Distressingly, it wouldn’t have been that far from hatching before the cooking process began. As such, it’s little shock Balut is considered one of the least ethical foods in the world. 
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​Fancy trying any of these dishes for yourself in the future? Don’t. Alright, you can do whatever you like – but we wouldn’t recommend chowing down on any of them if you want to avoid an upset tummy. 
17 Comments
Mikah link
9/28/2018 10:14:32 am

Oh my god. Diseased corn husk? Jellied moose nose? Seriously? Haha. We are strange, strange people.

Reply
Julia Jewell link
9/28/2018 10:29:34 am

This post isn't for the weak of heart (or gut!). Disgusting :p

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Laura Dove link
9/28/2018 01:08:41 pm

Oh wow some of these turned my stomach!! I would definitely not be in a hurry to eat any of them, infant I need to go and wash my eyes out!

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eric link
9/28/2018 03:34:50 pm

these look disgusting. Good blog post idea. i don't know how anyone could eat the duck egg thing.

Reply
Monidipa Dutta link
9/28/2018 04:16:50 pm

I have tried CASU MARZU because I often visit italy. But the others I haven't I would love to try them out.

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Latte Lindsay link
9/28/2018 05:51:18 pm

Is it sad that I've read all of these and I want to try them all? I'm sorry but I just want to know what they all taste like! :D

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TessaG link
9/28/2018 09:08:24 pm

OMG...I'm from Canada and never heard of the jellied moose nose...I'm not sure which item on this list is the worst, but the cheese and the duckling eggs are right up there...and that corn would kill me! I'm allergic to mold - ewwwww!

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Jessica Hughes link
9/28/2018 10:56:59 pm

I cannot imagine how anyone could put any of these things in their mouths much less consider them a delicacy. Sperm sacs, maggots...I am just so disgusted!

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Silvia Martinez link
9/29/2018 05:31:12 pm

I have eaten huitlacoche multiple times, cooking it correctly is truly delicious.

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Devyani Ray
9/29/2018 06:12:53 pm

OMG- Your article should go on Bizzare food. Diseased corn husk-- no way.

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David Elliott link
9/30/2018 02:22:03 pm

Wow those are pretty incredible foods there. I think I would still be willing to try them. But possibly only once. Ah well!

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vaishali link
9/30/2018 07:20:59 pm

I don't want to be rude to any culture but I don't think I can ever eat these

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Kristina | Spirit of the soul link
10/1/2018 01:34:10 am

I have a hard enough time reading about some of these. Can't image actually eating any.

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Jenn
10/1/2018 06:17:38 am

Oh no, just no! These are beyond what I can even imagine eating and I'm pretty adventurous. I just can't understand why anyone would want to eat a maggot. Just no!

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Lavanda Michelle link
10/1/2018 10:20:40 am

These are well beyond what I can even imagine eating. Good to know they exist, great conversation starter.

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Talya
10/1/2018 03:37:35 pm

Lots of interesting options here!! Not sure my stomach could handle most of them, but I am sure some of them are probably pretty tasty!

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Peachy link
10/3/2018 10:45:49 am

These food are not for the faint of heart. It will take time before I try them but with the exception of balut 'cause I'm from the Philippines.

Reply



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