Balut, durian on exhibit in Sweden's 'Disgusting Food Museum'
MANILA, Philippines — At least two Philippine delicacies are on exhibit in Sweden's "Disgusting Food Museum" that features "curious foods from exotic cultures."
The durian fruit and "balut" are among the 80 delicacies considered as the world's "most disgusting food."
Although durian is described in the museum's website as an "infamously stinky fruit from Thailand," the fruit is also grown in the Philippines, particularly in Davao.
Due to its overpowering smell, durian has been banned on several types of public transport in Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The "balut," a fertilized duck egg with developed embryos inside, has been maligned for its appearance and for having high cholesterol levels. One serving of balut hs 80 calories with 619 milligrams of cholesterol.
Other delicacies included in the museum are surströmming or fermented herring from Sweden, cuy or roasted guinea pigs from Peru, casu marzu or maggot-infested cheese from Sardinia, stinky tofu from China and hákarl or well-aged shark from Iceland.
"Disgust is one of the six fundamental human emotions. While the emotion is universal, the foods that we find disgusting are not. What is delicious to one person can be revolting to another," the museum said in its website.
The Disgusting Food Museum in Malmö, Sweden will run from Oct. 29, 2018 to Jan. 27, 2019. Entrance fee is 185 kronas (P1,080) for adults and 150 kronas (P875) for students and senior citizens. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
