Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Fugu: why?
Read the following in the Yomiuri this morning:
One gram of blowfish poison is enough to kill 500 people.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, 14 people died of blowfish poisoning between 2002 and 2006.
In 2002, an unlicensed company in Hokkaido shipped a large amount of blowfish containing poisonous parts.
The metropolitan government certifies only those who have trained for more than two years under a licensed chef.
"Even professionals have trouble determining the poisonous part of some blowfish because they differ by type. The same fish needs to be checked by more than one person with proper knowledge," Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Prof. Yuji Nagashima said.
All of which begs the following question: just how the bloody hell did the Japanese get so into eating Fugu in the first place? It seems like an absolute non-starter, doesn't it? The first five people to chow down turn purple and expire within three minutes; everybody else decides to persevere with this exciting new foodstuff.
According to Wikipedia, the Emperor is banned from eating Fugu.
One gram of blowfish poison is enough to kill 500 people.
According to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, 14 people died of blowfish poisoning between 2002 and 2006.
In 2002, an unlicensed company in Hokkaido shipped a large amount of blowfish containing poisonous parts.
The metropolitan government certifies only those who have trained for more than two years under a licensed chef.
"Even professionals have trouble determining the poisonous part of some blowfish because they differ by type. The same fish needs to be checked by more than one person with proper knowledge," Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Prof. Yuji Nagashima said.
All of which begs the following question: just how the bloody hell did the Japanese get so into eating Fugu in the first place? It seems like an absolute non-starter, doesn't it? The first five people to chow down turn purple and expire within three minutes; everybody else decides to persevere with this exciting new foodstuff.
According to Wikipedia, the Emperor is banned from eating Fugu.
Labels: CULTURE
Comments:
<< Home
Re: Fugu: why?
'cause it's good. grow some brass balls and stop hating on the seafood, dude.--VMM
Post a Comment
'cause it's good. grow some brass balls and stop hating on the seafood, dude.--VMM
# posted by 
: 11:43 AM
: 11:43 AM << Home
