OK, so I wouldn't eat it…

May 23, 2006

Ok, it was the Discovery Channel right? (Because I'm a dork.) And there is this show called Taboo. Taboo is basically about people around the world doing things Not-Considered-Normal-Here. One of the specials was about food. Weird food. Food people don't usually eat. Food I'll be talking about.

This show has confirmed two sneaking suspicions of mine. One, that Google is as much help as throwing grapes at peoples' faces, unless you know what you're looking for (no general terms). Two is that a lot of people have a subconscious death wish.

Fugu is fancy Japanese blowfish. It costs hundreds of dollars. It also requires a license to cook, because if not prepared properly, it could kill you. The blowfish has poison in its spikes and a milligram can kill you. Despite that, millions a year seek to eat this fish. Because apparently it taste REALLY REALLY good.

Then there is snake, big juicy snake.

That actually looks a lot like that. That's most people's reaction to it too. Because I asked around, and they looked at me JUST LIKE THAT. The blood and bile of the cobra supposedly has healing powers, in the area of Thailand eating the Cobra seems to be a really major deal. The meat is eaten but most people are after the healing powers of the bile, venom and blood. Most of you are dismissing this for folly, I can tell, but I believe there might be something to this. Go ahead and look at me like Indy, I'm used to it.

“Mice aren't that bad. Especially not with chilies and tortillas!” This is the only food I disagree with. Why? Cause its MICE and RATS. These things carried the Black Plague like it was going out of style. They've been making us sick since Moses decided the Red Sea was a bad move as far as decor went. I know, you're looking at me again, but snakes and Fugu have their poison removed. People in India have a different idea it seems. Look, I just don't trust it all right?

And finally, we have the newest food craze that's sweeping the nation, bugs. Everyone loves these things, because they're low fat and apparently not that bad. Lots of protein and it seems a lot of people have bugs as a staple in their diet. I haven't tried it, I wouldn't know. They look all right, but not filling, like an appetizer or something.

So, after watching and learning I've decide not to look at people like Indy when they offer me food that sounds outlandish, and perhaps give it a go if I feel up to it. Except the rats, that's just beyond me.

Name: Minerva, Goddess of geeks. Age: 14 Occupation: Writing food essays, going to school and driving Mom crazy. Hobbies: Collecting quotes, petting dogs, messing up my friend's hair and annoying my Mom. Life so far: Born. Made it through middle school alive. My Favs: Ice cream, my dog, .hack , 3rd period, the Daily Show, british humor. anime, the Discovery Channel and my iPod. My Minions: my dog, Duke, Phil the Wizard Monkey of Oz, Ed Elric and Patsy Stone.

Email questions or comments for these two young women to webmaster@drgourmet.com.