FUGU DEATHS SKIN
Nothing goes to waste with fugu, even the skin is sliced and served with some ponzu, and it is not uncommon to see lanterns made of fugu hanging in front of the fugu restaurants. The most popular dish is Fugu Karaage which is deep-fried fugu and the most daring fugu dish would probably be Fugu Shirako, which is a term for male fugu genitalia, usually eaten raw or deep-fried. A common dish where fugu is served raw is called Fugu Sashimi, or it can be prepared in a hotpot called Tecchiri. There is a variety of ways of preparing this deadly fish. Its toxic properties are due to a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin found in its inner organs, with the liver and ovaries being among the most dangerous, as well as the eyes and the skin. The chef needs to cut fugu while it is still alive with a special knife called fugu hiki in order to separate the poisonous parts from the edible ones. What is fugu Let’s start with the basics, fugu is a pufferfish, and like most pufferfish species it is extremely poisonous and can be lethal if eaten as is. It takes three years for chefs to get ready for the 2-hour exam on fugu preparation. Dodging the bullet with this fish is a difficult task so making fugu a delicious and safe dish to eat is left to licensed chefs. It is actually pretty healthy for a fish with poison worse than cyanide in the bloodstream, fugu is low in fat and high in protein, and it is a powerful aphrodisiac. So, why do they risk their lives to eat fugu and how do they survive?įugu is a delicacy eaten during winter because its meat is more elastic and sweeter if it is caught in December and January. Although fugu has caused 23 deaths since 2000 that does not stop the Japanese from eating 10,000 tons of fugu each year.
The whole body becomes paralyzed while the victim is completely conscious and the numbness of the limbs is followed by convulsions ended by a respiratory failure in not more than 24 hours. The victim of the tetrodotoxin will die in excruciating agony, and how fast only depends on the amount of the poison taken. Fugu is not venomous by its nature however, it only becomes a danger when it eats bacteria and algae which contain a poison called tetrodotoxin which stays in the fish’s liver, reproductive organs, and eyes. This fish is easily recognizable for its round bloated body covered with spikes which serve to fugu as a defense mechanism from predators. The dish has been responsible for many deaths over the years when. In Japan, people have been enjoying the sweet taste of fugu fish for hundreds of years despite the venom flowing through its bloodstream.įugu is a highly appreciated and luxury dish in Asiatic gastronomy. Japans love of fugu is driving at least one of the species used in the dish towards. If you have ever thought that bungee jumping or roller coasters are dangerous, you would be surprised that eating fish can be more life-threatening.
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