A Japanese Snake Whiskey That ‘Will Hit You Like a Truck’ is Going Viral
Snake whiskey, a viral whiskey from Japan is taking off on social media. (Photo: Boris Roessler/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)
On Friday, Times Now reported on an ancient beverage used for medicinal purposes in Japan that is attracting a viral following: snake whiskey. A post about the distinctive beverage on the Travel Instagram account garnered over 1 million views.
Japanese snake whiskey, or “Habushu,” is an Okinawan specialty where a venomous snake — usually a pit viper — is submerged in a bottle of “Awamori” a rice-based alcoholic beverage. According to the Times of India, the alcohol neutralizes the Pit Viper’s venom, rendering it harmless.
Similar beverages like this exist throughout the world, such as Tequila Con Vibor in Mexico or snake wine in China. This practice can be dangerous, however. In March 2022, a man was bitten by a snake that had allegedly been dormant in a bottle of Chinese snake wine for a whole year, and he had to go to the hospital for treatment.
It appears the viral post on Habushu has divided the internet.
“Why would people kill snakes just for decoration? Sad,” wrote one user, whose comment amassed 34,868 likes.
Many other individuals expressed sympathy for the snake.
“This is so sad… that poor animal ):” another commented on the viral post.
A lot of people defended the post, however, claiming the whiskey was cultural, and one person even claimed it tasted “so good.”
“All y’all getting mad still gonna eat your burger in 10 mins,” a person fired back at individuals who expressed disapproval.
A man from Okinawa warned users on the account to “be very careful,” about trying this beverage then went on to explain “It doesn’t taste like anything but it will hit you like a truck after an hour.”
One person who tried it expressed their experience:
“I’ve had it. It’s pungent, smells like earth, tastes like a mixture of alcohol and fish/chicken (basically what a snake tastes like). It’s better as a decoration.”
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