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Everything - by The Rusty Can

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Pic of the Week: Poisonous Snakes in Jars of Alcohol

July 7th 2009 03:57

Care for a drink?

I still look at this photo with the same horrified fascination as when I took it. The snakes with their gaping jaws look almost alive.

These jars contain an Okinawan alcoholic beverage called habu sake. Habu is the name of the venomous snakes coiled at the bottom, and though the liquor is made from rice, it isn’t sake – it’s actually awamori (sake is brewed, awamori is distilled).

The snakes are put on ice, and bled and gutted while they are asleep. Apparently, they can still attack when they wake up minus their blood and guts. The habus are then sewn up, put through a couple of alcohol baths before they are finally placed in awamori and a variety of herbs.

The drink is said to have health benefits which range from improving stamina to alleviating back pain and arthritic symptoms.

*Sourced from an article by David Allen at Stars and Stripes.

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Posted By: The Rusty Can - Category: Food and Drink

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Comments

8 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by katyzzz

July 7th 2009 07:32

Photography Tips
MS Paint Art

Why was it necessary to add any more poison?

Comment by hazius

July 7th 2009 08:53

home with hazius

"Why was it necessary to add any more poison?"

Indeed!

And - why is it necessary- period?

What a shame their culture requires the killing of rhinos, dolphins, elephants, tigers, bears, whales, lions, gorillas, snakes, giraffe, monkeys .........

And mostly to grow more hair or revive their flagging erections.

Comment by The Rusty Can

July 9th 2009 03:03

Everything

Hey katyzzz, apparently the venom is neutralised by the alcohol, but yes - an alcoholic health drink is a bit oxymoronic.

Comment by The Rusty Can

July 9th 2009 03:08

Everything

Thanks for the comment, hazius. You can add horses to your list too. It's an amazing culture despite some alarming choices in cuisine.

And mostly to grow more hair or revive their flagging erections.

Not to mention the ones who just want a boost in virility.

Comment by Natalina

July 9th 2009 08:38

My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog

Weird! I can't even stand the thought of a worm at the bottom of a tequila bottle, so I'll stay far away from this craziness!

Comment by The Rusty Can

July 11th 2009 05:42

Everything

I wouldn't touch the stuff either, Natalina. When I was digging around the internet, I came across a comment about it being rather tasteless, but I'll give it a miss all the same!

Comment by Natalina

July 11th 2009 08:16

My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog

When I was in California, there was a vendor that was selling glycerin soap that had real spiders embedded inside. It was awful!

Comment by The Rusty Can

July 14th 2009 03:57

Everything

glycerin soap that had real spiders embedded inside

Aiyee! I have that look of horrified fascination on my face right now.

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