



The ovaries and liver are particularly dangerous, as they contain the poison tetrodotoxin, or TTX for short. The metabolic pathway of tetrodotoxin (TTX), a powerful and specific voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, has not been well-clarified either in TTX-poisoned patients or in puffer fish. In order to stay alive, the cutting of the fish is crucial. “Fugu wa kuitashi, inochi wa oshishi”, which translates to “I want to eat fugu, but I am attached to my life”, is a traditional Japanese saying. Hirobumi Ito, who became the first Prime Minister of Japan in 1885 and came from Shimonoseki, allowed his compatriots to enjoy the delicacy again. Thereupon the shogun forbade the consumption of fugu fish. Not because of enemy hands, but because they ate fugu in Shimonoseki. When the shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi rounded up soldiers to attack Korea in the 17th century, many of his men are said to have died. 4-S-CysteinylTTX (4-CysTTX) was isolated from the liver of the puffer fish, Fugu pardalis, as the first adduct of TTX with thiol. There was a time when it was forbidden to eat fugu in Japan. The metabolic pathway of tetrodotoxin (TTX), a powerful and specific voltage-gated sodium channel blocker, has not been well-clarified either in TTX-poisoned patients or in puffer fish. The toxin is so potent that a lethal dose is smaller than. Please proceed carefully below and treat this recipe only for curiosity purposes if you’re not a licenced expert. The intestines, ovaries and liver of fugu (or blowfish) contain a poison called tetrodotoxin, which is 1,200 times deadlier than cyanide. There is no antidote for the poison and since the year 2000, 23 people have died from eating fugu according to government sources.īefore we begin with the recipe, it’s very important to note that this dish should only be prepared by highly specialized, licensed chefs in Japan, and as such, it is not recommended to be prepared at home. At first there is a numb feeling on the tongue and hands until the whole body becomes numb and paralyzed. What Happens if you Eat the Poison of Fugu? It is said that this is supposed to dilute the poison and then make the organ edible as a particularly delicious delicacy. In the province of Ishikaga, the ovaries are also dried and inserted.
#Fugu liver full#
However, this is the part full of poison and the Japanese consciously accept food poisoning when eating it. The very daring will find a special attraction in eating the liver of all things because it is so wonderfully fat and smooth and is therefore particularly tasty. Whilst fugu is certainly one of the most unusual delicacies in the world, it is advised not to add it to your bucket list unless you are certain it is prepared safely. There are always those who cannot resist the temptation of trying fugu and who, despite lacking experience, prepare their fugu themselves. This is because there are toxic parts of the poison tetrodotoxin in the fish’s organs which neat to be prepared properly in order to prevent it from contaminating the meat. Fugu is a puffer fish delicacy eaten in Japan which, if prepared incorrectly, can be deadly to eat.
