Prepare for a culinary adventure that could be your last! We're diving into the world's most dangerous foods that can turn a simple meal into a life-threatening experience. From poisonous fruits to deadly delicacies, these foods will make you think twice before taking a bite.
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00:00Hey, hey, what's this? Fugu. It is a blue pizza. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting
00:07down our picks for foods that, under the right circumstances, will leave you dead instead of
00:11satisfied. It tastes kind of like rhubarb but a little more bitter. And don't worry, you have to
00:16eat about 11 pounds of leaves to be kind of a fatal dose, so I think I'll be okay. We'll see.
00:23Number 10, Elderberries.
00:25Are you worried about some of the things you may have read or heard about cyanide in elderberries?
00:31Elderberries might be a superfood when properly prepared, but raw or unripe, they're a natural
00:36poison cocktail. These deep purple berries contain cyanogenic glycosides compounds that release cyanide
00:43when metabolized. Ingesting uncooked elderberries, or even their leaves and stems, will likely lead
00:48to a rough night. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are likely symptoms. In extreme cases, the berries
00:54could even put you in a coma.
00:55These berries, you guys, have been used for years. There's no question about that. But
01:03they have to be properly prepared before you consume them. Every part of this plant, you
01:10guys, is poisoned.
01:11In 1983, a group at a health retreat in California learned this the hard way. Improperly prepared
01:16elderberry juice hospitalized eight people with symptoms of poisoning. Cooking neutralizes
01:21the toxins, making elderberries safe for syrups and jams. But skip the DIY raw smoothie, unless…
01:27Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberries.
01:33Number 9, Sangnokji.
01:35It has a big, bulbous head, beady black eyes, and eight squirming tentacles. It's the octopus.
01:44This Korean delicacy is not for the faint of heart. This dish consists of live octopus, chopped
01:49into bite-sized pieces and served immediately. When your plate arrives at your table, the
01:53tentacles are still writhing.
01:55Sometimes it's not just difficult, it's deadly.
01:58The danger in this case isn't chemical, but physical. Those suction cups remain active.
02:03If Sangnokji isn't chewed thoroughly, the cups can latch onto the throat and choke you.
02:08Every few years, several diners in South Korea suffocate after their daring attempt at Sangnokji.
02:14The key to survival is to chew, chew, and chew again. While it's a favorite among thrill-seeking
02:19foodies, Sangnokji is a meal that fights back.
02:23Octopus!
02:26Number 8, Blood Clams.
02:28There's one clam that stands out, not just for its unique appearance, but for the risks
02:33it carries. On the outside, blood clams might look like any other unassuming mollusk. When
02:38open, though, they reveal their blood-red color, courtesy of being one of the few mollusks
02:43with hemoglobin. These clams have a well-earned and deadly reputation that has nothing to do
02:48with their looks. Unlike most shellfish, blood clams thrive in oxygen-poor waters. As a result,
02:54they must filter massive amounts of bacteria-laden water. Even today, some countries regulate or
02:59completely ban the harvesting and sale of blood clams to prevent public health risks.
03:04This filtration means that they often harbor deadly diseases like Hepatitis A and Typhoid.
03:09In 1988, an outbreak in Shanghai linked to blood clams sickened nearly 300,000 people. Some
03:15countries have outright banned them, while others enforce strict regulations. Despite
03:19the risks, many still crave their briny, iron-rich taste.
03:22I am a man of stout constitution.
03:25Yes, of course. I just thought, after the last time, it was the… and the…
03:32Merely a bout of stomach influenza.
03:35Yes, but the time before that…
03:37Bad clams.
03:38Number 7. Pongyum Ederle
03:40Comely known as Kepa Young, Pongyum Ederle is a tree native to Southeast Asia. The seeds in
03:46its fruit are a sought-after delicacy. They're also deathly poisonous, full of hydrogen cyanide.
03:52Traditional preparation methods involve boiling the seeds and then burying them in ash and banana
03:56leaves for about a month to detoxify them. This process makes them safe to eat and imparts
04:01a unique flavor. In Indonesian cuisine, these processed seeds, called kluwak, are incredibly popular.
04:07Rewan is an Indonesian beef stew with a distinctive black broth thanks to the help of kluwak.
04:12These are the cured ones, which has been cured for one month underground. Burn it first to develop
04:17a bit of a smoky taste.
04:18While Pongyum is cherished in various culinary traditions, it's crucial to ensure proper preparation.
04:23Eating it raw could be a death sentence.
04:25I spit it out because I trust Wikipedia when they tell me something is toxic.
04:31Number 6. The Seek
04:33But for many, the risk is worth the reward.
04:36This ancient Egyptian holiday fish dish is not for the faint-hearted.
04:39The traditional meal features grey mullet fish that's been sun-dried and pickled in salt.
04:44The fermentation process is one that's easy to mess up.
04:47But despite its smell, the fermented fish has become a staple of Egyptian culture,
04:53and Ibram Shahim is proud to carry on making this traditional dish safe for all to enjoy.
04:59The preparation is a precise art passed down through generations.
05:03One misstep could lead to your last meal.
05:06Every spring, during the ancient festival of Shamm al-Nasim, Egyptians indulge in Fisik.
05:11And every spring, the Egyptian health ministry warns its citizens about the high risk of botulism.
05:17So, if you're daring enough to try Fisik, ensure it's from a trusted source.
05:24Number 5. Kazumarsu
05:26Sardinia, the tiny island off Italy, is famous for its friendly people and beautiful beaches.
05:32It's also the home of Kazumarsu, or maggot cheese.
05:41This traditional sheep's milk cheese is infested with live larvae of the Piofila casei fly.
05:47The maggots break down fats, creating a soft, oozing texture.
05:50But here's the kicker.
05:51Those little wriggling guests aren't just for show. You're expected to eat them.
05:56If they die, the cheese is considered unsafe.
06:09If they do survive, they might make their next home inside of your guts.
06:12The EU banned the cheese, but locals still enjoy it in secret.
06:16So, if you're brave enough to take a bite, just know, you might not be the only one doing the chewing.
06:20How are those maggots?
06:24Maggots, Michael.
06:25You're eating maggots, how do they taste?
06:33Number 4. Hakkudak
06:35Icelandic cuisine isn't for the faint of heart.
06:37And hakkudak, or fermented shark, is its ultimate test.
06:41This dish starts with Greenland shark, which, if eaten fresh,
06:45is poisonous due to high levels of trimethylamine oxide and urea.
06:49The Greenland shark is the most toxic shark in the world. Fresh.
06:53Meat, you will get very sick, then a little bit more, you could probably go blind,
06:57and then death after that.
06:59To render the meat safe, it has to be buried in sand and left to rot for months before being hung to dry.
07:04The result is a pungent, ammonia-soaked, apparent,
07:08delicacy that smells like a janitor's closet gone rogue.
07:11Even Anthony Bourdain called it the single worst thing he'd ever eaten.
07:15I don't like the shark.
07:17It's like ammonia.
07:18Despite its gut-wrenching reputation, hakkudak remains a proud Icelandic tradition.
07:23But if you're brave enough to try it, just be sure to keep a shot of Brenovan handy.
07:27That tastes like cleaning product.
07:29Number 3. Aki Fruit
07:30It's called an aki, and it happens to be one of the deadliest fruits in the world.
07:36Jamaica's national fruit is a staple in dishes like aki and saltfish.
07:41However, consuming it improperly can lead to Jamaican vomiting sickness.
07:45The unripe fruit contains hypoglycin A, a toxin that inhibits gluconeogenesis.
07:50What does that mean?
07:51Raw aki can cause severe hypoglycemia.
07:54Symptoms include vomiting, altered mental states, and in some extreme cases, seizures, coma, or death.
08:01What if I told you that the fruit many Jamaicans eat for breakfast every day
08:05also happens to be one of the most poisonous fruits in the world?
08:08To safely consume aki, it's crucial to ensure the fruit is fully ripened.
08:12You can tell it's ready when its pod naturally opens on its own.
08:15You must make sure to discard anything that isn't ripe, as well as the seeds,
08:18or run the risk of a trip to the hospital.
08:20Despite its potential dangers, when prepared correctly,
08:23aki remains a beloved component of Jamaican cuisine.
08:26A dietary staple for millions, cassava is a double-edged sword.
08:49This starchy root contains cyanogenic glycosides,
08:52which can release hydrogen cyanide when consumed raw or improperly prepared.
08:56The faintest smell of bitter almonds till tear traces of cyanide.
09:01Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and potentially death.
09:06Improperly prepared cassava is also responsible for the paralytic disease
09:11Konzo, which sometimes sees outbreaks in rural areas of Africa.
09:14To safely enjoy cassava, it's essential to peel, soak, and cook it thoroughly, which removes the cyanide.
09:21Despite its potential dangers, when prepared correctly,
09:23cassava is a vital food source in many parts of the world.
09:27Fill them with, uh, stuffing.
09:30The good meat and something local.
09:32Cassava?
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09:48Number 1. Fugu
09:51Fugu?
09:54The infamous puffer fish.
09:57Japan's notorious puffer fish is the ultimate gamble.
10:00You may have one of the best meals of your life, or you may die.
10:03The fish contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that can paralyze and kill.
10:08Proper preparation is crucial. The toxin is heat-stable and not destroyed by cooking.
10:13Only meticulous cleaning of the fish can render it safe.
10:16Concentrate. Concentrate.
10:20I want fugu!
10:25Mmm! Fan fugu-tastic!
10:27That means that only licensed chefs with extensive training are permitted to serve it.
10:31Nonetheless, fugu consumption still leads to several poisonings a year,
10:35although these are often associated with amateur preparation at home.
10:38Some even result in fatalities. After scarfing down a plate of fugu, you may experience numbness,
10:44dizziness, and difficulty breathing. If so, you need a hospital immediately before you asphyxiate.
10:49I can totally see why someone would risk their life to eat it.
10:53Those of you who take certain medications know that grapefruit could easily start on this list.
10:57Are there any other deadly foods we should have added? Let us know in the comments below.
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