How bad is Hakarl?

Hakarl, or rotten shark, comes from the world’s longest living invertebrate animal, one that is typically partially blind. If you eat it raw, it’ll make you sick—you might even feel a little bit drunk—because the meat is poisonous. To prevent that from happening, it gets buried in dirt for months.

Why do Icelanders eat rotten shark?

Today fermented shark or “kæstur hákarl” is it is called in Icelandic is simply a way for Icelanders to stay in touch with their roots and ancestry. However, some still consider it a delicacy and will go through real lengths in order to get their hands on some proper good “hákarl”.

Do people eat hákarl?

When ready, Hákarl is served without its characteristic outer crust, diced into small pieces. They are eaten just as they are by habitual consumers or served in a glass topped up with Brennivín, the Icelandic aquavit.

How much does hákarl cost?

It can cost a fortune if you go for it in a restaurant. In some of the restaurants it is served as a side, and few cubes can cost around 5$.

How do shark pee?

FUN FACT: Sharks don’t pee as you know it. Their urine is absorbed in their flesh and expelled through their skin.

Why is shark meat poisonous?

Preparation. The meat of the Greenland shark is poisonous when fresh because of its high content of urea and trimethylamine oxide. However, when properly processed, it may be consumed safely.

Can you buy hákarl in USA?

You can also buy tinned Hàkarl from local stores in Minnesota and via mailorder even to Dallas, TX.

What makes Greenland shark toxic?

The flesh of the Greenland shark is toxic because of the presence of high concentrations of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO). If the meat is eaten without pretreatment, the ingested TMAO is metabolized into trimethylamine, which can produce effects similar to extreme drunkenness.