It’s a popular dish in southeast Asia and I had it today for the first time. It’s not awful, a very neutral taste. I’m assuming it’s high in protein and iron? Are there any health risks/benefits to consuming animal blood like that?
Edit: I’m not in Southeast Asia rn. I’m in the states. But I know it’s popular there lol
Good for you! Most people would judge it without tasting it. I ate a lot of unusual things in Vietnam - things I would have never considered eating before but I was open minded enough to try a lot of things (cobra, raw cobra heart, rat, pig’s blood, goat nipple, horse, geoduck, and more). It was a phenomenal experience that I absolutely enjoyed. New tastes, textures, and flavors. Eating blood is common in Asia. It’s cooked - consuming raw blood is less common and cooked pig blood is rich in vitamin B2, vitamin C, protein, iron, phosphorus, calcium and other nutrients.
Eating jellied or dried pigs’ blood is a traditional food in some parts of Southeast Asia, and it is generally considered to be safe to consume in moderation. However, it is important to note that animal blood is not a common component of the typical Western diet, and there are a few potential risks and considerations to be aware of when consuming it:
Nutritional content: Pig’s blood is a rich source of protein and iron, and can be a good source of nutrients for people who are deficient in these nutrients. However, it is also high in cholesterol and may be high in saturated fat, depending on how it is prepared. It is important to consider the overall nutritional content of pig’s blood and to incorporate it into a balanced diet.
Safety considerations: As with any food, it is important to ensure that pig’s blood is prepared and stored properly to prevent the risk of food poisoning. If the blood is not properly cooked or handled, it may be contaminated with harmful bacteria or parasites.
Cultural and personal preferences: It is also important to consider cultural and personal preferences when deciding whether to eat pig’s blood or any other food. Some people may have ethical or cultural reasons for avoiding animal blood, and it is important to respect these preferences.
If you have been eating other street foods in the same area, and you’re pretty familiar with the vendor, sure why not.
If a foreigner, especially from a totally different culture, were to try it though, it may not be a good idea. An important factor is our gut biome. Because you are used to having similar food like chicken or pig intestines, livers, gizzards etc, and regular street food, your gut is more prepared for something similar.
The vendor where you get it is the 2nd factor. If you have a particular go-to street barbecue vendor and you had no issues at all with the food you consume from these people, you’ll have more confidence about how they prepare the food.