Hakarl is a type of national Icelandic dish made from fermented shark meat. It's characterized by its strong smell and not so appetizing taste. If you visit Iceland it is probably going to be offered to you by the locals, just so you know what you're in for. It has a reputation for challenging the taste buds of those who are the most open-minded food lovers.
Because of its high ammonia content is has a strong smell similar to many cleaning products. It is often served as cubes on toothpicks. First timers are advised to pinch their nose in order not to gag, in Iceland it is most often served with a shot of the local alcohol. To attest for its taste even Chef Anthony Bourdain described hakarl as "the single worst, most disgusting and terrible tasting thing" he has ever eaten.
Over the years, weve seen so many food trends come and go, such as ramen burgers, matcha, and spiked ice-cream. Nowadays, were seeing another trend making waves in the food industry. How many times today have you seen an Instagram photo of a scoop of black ice cream, or a cup of black yogurt, or hamburgers with black buns? Indeed, the charcoal trend has taken the world by storm.
So, what gives your latte that deep black shade? Activated charcoal, or coconut ash, is produced by heating coconut shells to insanely high temperatures until theyre burnt to a crisp. The ashes are then increased in size by steaming at high temperatures. Through this process, the ashes become a strong detoxifier, mostly because they become extra absorbent. This product may be purchased in pill form, and promises to alleviate hangovers, minimize the effects of food poisoning, and fight the visible signs of aging.
Activated charcoal is said to boost ones energy as a result of decreasing toxins in the body. However, no evidence proves that detoxifying can lead to increased energy. Also, while it can help cure a hangover, it doesnt necessarily remove alcohol from your blood. It is also said to aid in debloating your stomach because it cleanses your colon but again, this all anecdotal and isnt supported by scientific evidence as of yet. All we can say for sure is that it is a proven detoxifier.