• Food and Gastronomy -> Culinary history and culture

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What is the most surprising food tradition you have ever come across?

Meta Withringten

Hey there!

I have to say that the most surprising food tradition I have ever come across was during my trip to Japan. In Japan, they have this delicacy that is known as fugu, which is the Japanese word for pufferfish. Now, you must be wondering what is so surprising about a dish made out of pufferfish, right? Well, the surprising factor is that this fish is extremely poisonous and contains a toxin that is 1,200 times deadlier than cyanide.

So, how is it even eaten then? The chefs who prepare this dish are highly trained and require a special license to do so. They know exactly which parts of the fish contain the toxin and how to remove it without contaminating the edible parts of the fish. Even so, there have been instances where people have died from consuming fugu that has not been prepared properly.

What's even more surprising is that despite the risks involved, fugu remains a delicacy in Japan, and people are willing to pay a high price for it. Some people even seek out the experience of consuming fugu because of the thrill that comes with eating something so dangerous.

Overall, it was fascinating to learn about this food tradition and the level of expertise that goes into preparing this dish. It certainly left an impression on me and made me appreciate the intricacies of different food cultures around the world.