Page 141 - (DK) Danger! Open with Extreme Caution!

Kill or cure?

The oil made from the castor plant
has been used for centuries as a folk
remedy for all sorts of ailments, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
including burns, cuts, headaches—and
even as a cure for acne. But the seed
of the plant, known as the castor bean,
contains ricin—one of nature’s most
lethal poisons. It would take only Mmm! Mushroom meal deal
eight of the tiny beans to kill a person.
Choose from one of the following five mouthwatering options:
1. Death cup—looks just like edible species, but
the clue’s in the name.
2. Fly agaric—brightly colored, just 10 will kill a human.
3. Galerina—small mushroom, but packs a big toxic punch.
4. Jack-o’-lantern—bright orange, glows in the dark, and
will cause severe stomach cramps if eaten.
5. Deadly fiber cap—contains high doses of
muscarine, a lethal poison.

Live octopus

Sannakji, or live octopus, is a popular
dish in South Korea and Japan, but not
one for the faint-hearted. The octopus
is cut into pieces while still alive so that
the tentacles wiggle around on the
plate. Those who don’t chew their
food enough risk getting a sucker
stuck in the back of their throat!

Maggot cheese

For a cheese sensation, why not try
the Sardinian delicacy Casu Marzu?
Made from sheep’s milk, the cheese
is left outside for months to become
riddled with insect larvae. The maggots
wiggle throughout the cheese, digesting
it as they go to make it runny and soft.
Diners are advised to shield their eyes,
as the maggots jump when disturbed!
And, once eaten, they’ll happily bore
through your intestines, too. DANGEROUS FOODS 141
(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.