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According to food blogger Ravi Arora, dark cuisine provides a culinary adventure since it delivers adrenaline-fueled excitement and euphoria. This is similar to the thrill of risky activities or extreme sports
The term dark cuisine first appeared in 1990 in the Japanese manga series Chuuka Ichiban. (News18 Hindi)
Food is more than mere sustenance; it is a powerful mood enhancer. A delicious meal can brighten anyone’s day. Culinary traditions vary widely across the globe, from the celebrated seafood of some nations to the renowned baked goods of others. Food serves as a cultural marker, a unique identifier of a country’s heritage.
However, in the contemporary culinary world, chefs are constantly pushing boundaries, experimenting with novel ingredients and techniques, and introducing innovative dishes daily. Intriguingly, some of these creations, despite being visually unappealing or lacking in flavour, have gained global notoriety. This phenomenon is known as ‘dark cuisine’.
Dark cuisine originated in China
Known as ‘hei an liao li’ in Chinese, dark cuisine combines unusual ingredients to create dishes that are unfamiliar to most palates. This culinary style often involves experimental and unconventional food pairings.
The term “dark cuisine” first appeared in 1990 in the Japanese manga series “Chuuka Ichiban” by Etsushi Ogawa. The antagonist in this series was named hei an liao li, meaning “dark cuisine.” The trend gained momentum in China around 2012 with the emergence of dishes like Stargazy Pie, a Cornish dish. This particular dish consists of eggs and potatoes, topped with a striking garnish of a halved fish head.
Dark Cuisine, also known as Ugly Food
Dark cuisine, also known as Ugly food, is a culinary trend that pushes boundaries. World-renowned food entrepreneur Jing Gao aptly described it as food that is “difficult to swallow.” Examples of such daring creations from around the globe include ground chilli paired with ice cream, roasted meat served on blueberry yoghurt, and chilli powder sprinkled on peanut sweets.
Spring Onion Latte caused a stir
A Chinese coffee shop introduced this unusual flavour combination, dubbed the “Scallion Latte”. The beverage, featuring spring onion as a key ingredient, quickly sparked debate on social media. While some questioned the unconventional pairing, others expressed eagerness to try the novel coffee experience.
This Pizza Can Spoil Your Mind
Everyone likes to eat pizza, but a global competition seems to be underway to create the most tasteless version possible. Some establishments offer bizarre topping combinations, such as pumpkin with pizza cheese, pumpkin and cabbage pizza, and goat cheese with sweet potato and pine nut pizza. The menu doesn’t stop there, even including black pizza with black sauce, pickle, and fish. In Japan, this black pizza is known as Ikasumi.
People crave the unconventional
Food blogger Ravi Arora observes that some individuals derive pleasure from engaging in unusual or risky activities. Just as adventure activities release adrenaline, triggering a sense of euphoria, consuming dangerous foods, such as those classified as dark cuisine, can elicit a similar rush.
These experiences evoke a unique blend of enthusiasm and excitement, putting the body into a fight-or-flight response, characterized by heightened stress or exhilaration. Overcoming the perceived danger creates a sense of accomplishment. In essence, partaking in dark cuisine offers a culinary adventure.
Unconventional cuisines and health
Combining unusual ingredients, as seen in “dark cuisine,” can lead to adverse digestive reactions. Each food possesses unique properties and flavours; combining incompatible elements can result in stomach ache, bloating, vomiting, or gas. In certain cases, food poisoning may occur. Moreover, unusual food combinations can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. It is advisable to research the ingredients of any unfamiliar dish within “dark cuisine” and to consume it cautiously, starting with small portions.
Dark Cuisine Theme Museum
The Disgusting Food Museum, a museum dedicated to dark cuisine, opened in Sweden in 2018. The museum features an exhibition of 80 dark cuisines from around the world, showcasing food items that are considered difficult to eat. Among the exhibits were Sardinia’s Casu Marzu cheese, made from sheep’s milk and containing live insect larvae; roasted guinea pig from Peru; and a tasteless dish made from fermented fish from Sweden.
Italian cuisine is the most popular
There are many types of cuisines in the world, each representing its country’s identity. Italian is widely considered among the most famous. Its pizza and pasta are enjoyed globally, with a National Restaurant Association survey indicating that 61% of Americans consume Italian food daily. Italian cuisine is characterised by its baking and use of cheese.
Indian cuisine is renowned for its spices, with dishes like Hyderabadi biryani and chicken tikka popular worldwide. Mexican cuisine holds the position of the third most consumed globally. Tacos, in particular, are a staple on restaurant menus internationally. Japanese cuisine ranks fourth, with sushi finding favour even in countries like India.
