Some foods, despite being considered delicacies in different cultures, hide unsuspected dangers. From Japanese Fugu fish to Sardinian cheese with live larvae, to exotic fruits such as ackee, these foods require an expert preparation to avoid serious consequences.
There are foods that, despite being appreciated in many kitchens in the world, can prove to be extremely dangerous for health. These foods can contain toxic substances or require very careful preparation to avoid risks. Let’s see together some of the most dangerous foods in the world.
Fugu fish
Fugu fish is a Japanese delicacy, but it is also one of the most dangerous foods. Its meat is safe to eat, but the entrails, the skin and the ovaries contain a lethal toxin, the darkotoxin, which can cause paralysis and death if ingested. For this reason, only expert and certified cooks can prepare it, yet every year accidents occur, even fatal, due to an inaccurate preparation.
Casu Martzu
The Casu Martzu is a Sardinian cheese that stands out for the presence of larvae lives inside. These larvae are an integral part of the cheese fermentation process, but if they are not consumed correctly, they can survive in the human body and continue to move during digestion. This can cause serious gastrointestinal infections and complications, making the consumption of Casu Martzu particularly risky.
Mochi
Mochi is a Japanese dessert based on glutinous rice, appreciated for its rubbery-fashionable consistency. Although it is not intrinsically dangerous, it represents a risk if ingested in too large morsels. Every year accidents related to suffocation occur, especially among the elderly, who cannot chew it adequately. It is important to eat it with caution and in smaller portions to avoid serious risks.
Echizen-Kurage
Echizen-kuage is the largest jellyfish in the world, which can also reach 2 meters in diameter. Although it is not generally dangerous in itself, if it is not correctly cleaned, the jellyfish can cause serious damage to health. His skin contains a poison that can be lethal, capable of causing cardiac arrest or paralysis if he comes into contact with the skin.
Fire Paan
The Fire Paan is a typical street food of India that may seem like a simple BETEL leaves, but it is much more dangerous. In some variants, in fact, an flammable substance is added which, when on, can cause serious burns. In addition, Paan’s frequent consumption has been connected to various types of cancer, especially in the mouth and throat.
Fesikh
Fesikh is an Egyptian cephal -based dish, a fish that is fermented and dried. Although it is a traditional dish during the holidays, Fesikh represents a risk if it has not been prepared correctly. The fish can be contaminated by bacteria such as the Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism, a serious food poisoning that can lead to paralysis and death.
Nakji octopus
The Nakji octopus, known in Korean cuisine, is dangerous because of the suction cups of the octopus who remain active even after the death of the animal. These suction cup can attach themselves to the throat and respiratory tract of those who eat it, causing suffocation. In some cases, the people who eat octopus Nakji without chewing correctly have had serious breathing difficulties.
Anacardi
The anacardi are delicious and commonly consumed as a snack, but it is essential not to eat them raw. Anacardo seeds contain a toxic chemical called Urushiol, which can cause allergic reactions and skin damage if not treated correctly. For this reason, it is necessary to toast the seeds before consuming them.
Manioc
Manioca is a vegetable root consumed in many parts of the world, but it is essential to know that it contains a toxic substance called Lindamarine. This substance can turn into cyanide, which is highly poisonous if adequate preparation procedures are not followed, such as boiling or fermentation.
Hakarl
Hakarl is a traditional Icelandic dish that consists of fermented shark meat. Shark meat, if not treated correctly, contains dangerous levels of uric acid and ammonia, which can cause serious intoxications. Hakarl is also known for its nauseating smell, so much so that many consider it one of the most disgusting foods in the world.
Sambuco berries
The elderberry berries are a fruit that, if consumed raw, can be poisonous. The berries contain a substance called Sambunigrina, which, if ingested in large quantities, can cause nausea, vomiting and, in the most serious cases, poisoning. However, when cooked correctly, the elderberry berries become a safe ingredient to be used in jams and syrups.
Ackee
The ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, known for its exotic appearance and its unique flavor, but the fruit must be consumed very carefully. If it is not completely mature or if it is not cooked correctly, it can contain hypoglycine called toxins, which can cause serious diseases, including vomiting and death. The correct preparation is essential to avoid risks.
These foods, despite being delicacies in different parts of the world, require a very careful preparation or management to avoid serious health consequences. Prudence is the key when dealing with such dangerous foods, and knowledge of their safe preparation is essential to taste them without risk.
