Snakes? Really? If they are safe to consume and are often used as game meat (with the exception of some snake species that are protected and endangered), then why do damage to them?
Even though eating snake is forbidden in certain religions and civilizations, its flesh is perfectly edible.
Some people eat it because they believe it has medical properties, while others do it for the pleasure of it.
However, if you can get over the idea that they are disgusting, you are in for a nice surprise in store for you.
What does snake flesh taste like? You should brace yourself to be startled since the way it looks has absolutely no bearing on how it tastes.
Contents
What is Snake Meat?
Meat obtained from snakes is referred to as “snake meat.”
You may search for this reptile meat or purchase it in specialty stores that specialize in unusual meats.
Be careful while selecting a species of snake to eat since not all of them are regarded to be game meat.
Be prepared to deal with a lengthy spine and have a tough time peeling off its skin if you plan on cooking anything that you have caught and caught yourself.
It is not necessary to be selective while eating snake meat since even the flesh of poisonous snakes may be consumed without risk.
In addition, the flesh of pythons and cobras is among the most sought after among consumers of snakes.
You may buy them already peeled and sliced, or you can buy them already whole.
In addition, some restaurants even include them as a menu option for customers to choose from.
If you include this lean meat into your diet, you will reap the benefits of its low calorie count and high protein content.
The skin of the snake is a natural byproduct that may be obtained while working with snakes.
Snakeskin is considered an exotic kind of leather, and with it, you may create memories that last a lifetime.
What Does Snake Meat Taste Like?
It is impossible to provide an accurate description of the flavor of snake flesh.
There are many different kinds of edible snakes, each of which has a unique diet.
And their flavor may range from that of insects to that of something much more sophisticated, depending on what they’ve been given.
Since they don’t have much of their own flavor, they need a lot of preparation and a lot of different spices to make up for it.
The flesh of larger snakes, such as the python, is significantly more robust and resembles the flavor of chicken.
It will be pinkish white in color, chewy, and have a taste that is reminiscent of game.
Because their flesh is so very tough, preparing it might be a bit of a challenge, but if you do it correctly, you’ll have some of the greatest tasting snake meat around.
Snake flesh is known as “desert whitefish” due to the texture and roughness that resembles that of a whitefish found in desert environments.
Some people even claim that the flavor of snake flesh is similar to that of alligator meat, however this is a novelty meat and not many people have eaten it.
You may substitute chicken and pork with these ingredients instead.
This is due to the fact that snake flesh has a comparable consistency and color, and its natural taste can be readily altered in the same way that pig and chicken can be.
Species such as rattlesnakes, on the other hand, are known to retain residual odors of frog flesh.
The flesh has a white appearance and a rubbery texture, yet it has a pleasant tenderness when eaten.
Therefore, they are among the snakes that are consumed the most often.
Because snake flesh does not readily absorb flavors, the ultimate result may not be as appetizing as it should be.
No matter what method you choose to use to cook the meat, a lengthy marinade will be beneficial.
Particularly in certain Southeast Asian nations, people consume snake meat in a supplement form that has been cooked in a variety of ways so that they might gain the health advantages of eating snake.
How to Cook Snake Meat?
You are aware of the typical flavor of snake flesh, but the manner in which you prepare it has the most sway over the meat’s overall flavor, and this lies in the fact that you have gained this knowledge.
- Tenderize the meat with milk marinate: To cut down on the amount of time needed for cooking, especially for larger snakes, a milk marinade in the refrigerator for at least one night is required. After that, you are free to continue with the marinating and cooking processes.
- Stew: You are aware that snake flesh does not have much of a flavor; thus, one approach to make more use of it is to submerge the snakes in a stew and allow them to take on the flavors of the stew while they simmer.
- Breaded and deep-fried: This one is simple and will provide results that will make your mouth wet. You will need to begin by taking some seasoned and cooked snake flesh, dipping the pieces in an egg mixture, coating them in breadcrumbs, and then frying them in a deep fryer until they are golden brown. Try pairing one of these tasty selections with your favorite beverage and see how well they go together.
- Make snake patties: If you are interested in eating snake flesh but cannot stomach recipes that call for pieces of meat, this approach is an excellent alternative. Simply chop up some cooked snake flesh, add some flour and spices, and then shallow fried the mixture. Additionally, they are fantastic when used in stews.
- Snake soup: This recipe is for when you don’t just have one kind of snake flesh but many distinct kinds of it. The beef lends a chewy quality to the broth, which is rich and flavorful because to the minced mushrooms, vegetables, and aromatic spices that it contains.
How to Buy Snake Meat?
It is possible that you may have an easier time locating a location to purchase snake meat if you go to nations located in Southeast Asia.
You’ll face a significant obstacle if you live in the West, but the following shopping advice should make things simpler for you:
- Know which snake to get: It may seem obvious and unnecessary, but it’s always a good idea to do some research ahead of time to see which types of snake meat are compatible with your diet or work best with the cooking techniques you have available. A little bit of preparation is required due to the fact that certain snakes are delicate and solid while others are exceedingly tough.
- Find a market that sells exotic meat: You won’t be able to get flesh from any old snake simply anyplace. You will need to do some research in order to locate a vendor that carries the species that you are interested in purchasing.
- Buy from a trusted source: You will want to be certain that the source of your supply of snake meat is a reputable vendor that has a strong understanding of the meat they offer and has an emphasis on quality.
- Buy a headless snake (if venomous): You shouldn’t be concerned about purchasing a poisonous species of snake unless the snake has already bitten itself. Because the venom is stored in salivary glands in the head, it is best to take precautions rather than risk being stung.
FAQs
What happens if you eat snake meat?
Is it Possible to Eat Raw Snake Meat? Raw snake meat should be avoided in almost all circumstances due to the possibility of contracting parasites from the animal. On the other hand, if one’s chances of survival are very low, there may be no other choice. It is essential that you consume the snake as soon as you have finished killing it, in the event that this kind of desperate measure is ever required of you.
How tasty is snake?
Snake flesh is delicious, in addition to being a great source of protein. It is possible to liken the taste of snake to a combination of beef and chicken, but with more robust and gamey undertones. The fact that it has such a distinctive flavor makes it challenging for restaurants to offer it, since many customers do not like the robust flavor.
Who eats snake meat?
Since the beginning of Chinese civilisation more than two thousand years ago, snake soup has been revered as a dish of exceptional quality. It was reported in the Pre-Qin Shanhaijing that people in the Guangdong province began eating snake soups. Toward the end of the Qing Dynasty, the eating culture became extensively popularized across China.
Which country eats the most snakes?
In Vietnam, it is common practice to consume snakes for their flesh, which is then used in a wide variety of recipes, and their blood, which is then added to rice wine. This supposedly results in a dinner that is both satiating and nutritious.
What snakes can you not eat?
One notable exception to this rule is the garter snake (genus Thamnophis), which, despite its tiny size and lack of lethal bite potential, is poisonous to humans because its body absorbs and retains the poisons of the animals it consumes (newts and salamanders).
Is eating snake meat healthy?
According to the findings of a recent research, consuming these creatures may result in a number of unpleasant side effects, which calls into question the rationality of consuming this so-called “delicacy.” Consuming reptile meat may put your health at risk owing to a number of pathogens, including parasites, germs, and viruses, and to a lesser degree, pollution from heavy metals and residues of veterinary medications.
Can eating snake make you sick?
Consuming snakes poses a significant risk of infection with the disease known as sparganosis because to the high rate of infection that is found in snakes. According to this study’s findings, the incidence and severity of Spirometra infection varied considerably amongst various snake species. There is a correlation between having a spirometra infection and the way snakes eat, as far as we can tell.
Why do they put snakes in alcohol?
According to traditional Chinese medical theory, the “essence” of a snake may be extracted from its wine and used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including rheumatism and alopecia. The ethanol in the wine will neutralize any venom in the snake, despite the fact that poisonous snakes are believed to be among the most dangerous. Additionally, the beverage has a well-known reputation as an aphrodisiac that boosts virility.
Final Thought
Although not everyone is in the position to try eating snake flesh, you can still satisfy your need for adventure by preparing the meat using novel techniques that will transform both the flavor and the consistency of the meat.
Snake meat has the potential to be both tasty and beneficial to your health if it is cooked appropriately and appropriately handled.
It is imperative that you get rid of the head.
Therefore, you should not turn down the opportunity to try eating this unusual meat if you are in the enviable position of having access to it.
You should also consider the fact that by doing so, you would have consumed the flesh of one of the most lethal creatures in the world.
