Monkey brains: the origin and culture of consumption

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

Man is an omnivore. And when it comes to meat, a real predator wakes up. Modern civilization provides us with the most extensive diet. It is not surprising that the hand of merciless cooks has reached the genetically close creatures to us. Monkey brains are considered a delicacy that costs a lot of money. But before proceeding to their description, let's learn about the culture and history of eating brains.

Eating brains

Eating animal brains is quite common. Many national dishes contain this "twisty" stuffing. In general, when served, brains resemble something like a soft fish fillet. At the same time, the dish does not have a pronounced taste. They are not difficult to prepare, but pre-treatment is very important.

Benefits and harms of brains

From a nutritional point of view, brains are a good source of vitamins. Magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and iron in decent amounts will only benefit the body. But there is also a fly in the ointment: veryhigh concentration of cholesterol. In addition, brains are poorly absorbed by the body.

Therefore, this dish is often recommended for problems with the cardiovascular system or diseases that affect brain activity. At the same time, nutritionists do not recommend eating brains for people suffering from hypertension or being overweight. The fact is that with a relatively low level of protein, the brains of animals contain a large amount of cholesterol. And this means that the abuse of this product can not only neutralize the benefits, but also cause significant harm to the body.

Disease risk

Pun: before you eat the brain, you need to brainstorm. It's not funny, but there is some truth in it. Eating the contents of the skull can result in dangerous diseases. Although such cases are quite rare.

Cattle brains, for example, can be sources of spongiform encephalopathy. Such a disease manifests itself in different ways, but the general course is characterized by impaired functioning of the brain and nervous system. It poses a great danger to humans. Infection comes from an infected animal.

In civilized countries, the risk of such infection is minimal. At various stages of sanitary control, the entire carcass of the animal is checked, preventing the infected meat from getting on the shelves. Although at the same time, many tribes practice the ritual eating of the brains of hunted animals and cope quite successfully. The risk is certainly higher, but even then such infections are not very common.

Monkey brains likedelicacy

Now that you have roughly imagined the gastronomy of the brain, let's move on to the main thing - our alleged ancestors. Gourmets did not ignore the monkeys. Their brains (of monkeys, not gourmets) are considered a delicacy in China. Its use is officially prohibited, but according to a few testimonies, it is still practiced, including for “curious” tourists. It costs a lot of money, of course. But how can we not know that for the right amount, almost anything is possible.

If you look at the photo of the monkey brain dish, there is nothing particularly unusual about it. A little unusual, but you can eat, unless, of course, you remember how cute these monkeys are.

China of the Qing Dynasty is considered the birthplace of such a delicacy. The ruling elite of that time was known for its luxurious feasts. At such dinner parties, the monkey had the privilege of being an invited guest. Not only animal brains were eaten. Tasting the heart of a monkey was also considered a great success.

Etiquette of eating monkey brains

Monkey brains are usually eaten chilled. There is even a version that they are eaten raw, but more on that later. As already mentioned, the tradition of eating the brains of a monkey dates back to distant history. And this means that a certain "ritual" of the meal has been formed. Chilled monkey brains are served on a small platter and garnished with herbs. They taste like cold rice. This dish is consideredexotic even in China, and they eat almost everything that moves.

Looking at the traditional part of eating monkey brains reveals a few more pieces of evidence. Tribes in Indonesia have long practiced primate hunting. The main target was the brain. Various useful properties were attributed to him, the presence of which, however, has not been proven.

The tradition of eating monkeys exists among several Cameroonian tribes. They have it to do with elections. As soon as the newly minted leader takes office, he organizes "bread and circuses." However, like everywhere else. With tribes, it's all just a little more exotic and primitive. The hunters herd the gorilla and present its brain to the chief. The meal marks the power of the new leader.

Extreme Monkey Brain Eating

There is a version about a slightly more complicated and much more cruel eating of monkey brains. In some closed restaurants in China, they allegedly offer to taste the brain directly from the monkey. The poor animal is fixed under the table so that the head is in a fixed position on the surface of the table. Immediately before the start of the meal, the head of a still living monkey is opened, as it were. The animal beats in a panic, but does not die, because it is previously pumped with certain substances. The brain is eaten immediately, directly from the skull, using special pointed spoons.

This version is hard to believe because of its cruelty. Of course, for a lot of money you can order something else, but there is no official confirmation of such animal life. Alllimited to a few dubious sources, which suggests its mythical origin. It's like some kind of local horror story. Although, as we know, there is no smoke without fire.