The Disgusting Food Museum opened its doors on 31 October in Malmö, Sweden. Founded by Dr. Samuel West, a certified psychologist who began curating museums, Samuel made international headlines from his Museum of Failure, which displayed failed products and services from famous multi-national corporations.
The Disgusting Food Museum showcases 80 of the world’s weirdest, smelliest and most outrageous foods – all of which are considered delicacies from their country of origin. The purpose of the exhibit is to demonstrate what may be disgusting to one person, may be delicious to another (‘one man’s meat is another man’s poison’). Disgust is one of the six fundamental human emotions that are universal. What ignites our disgust, however, is not.
According to CNN, ‘it was an article about meat consumption and its effect on the environment that inspired West to learn more about alternative sources of protein, and then to turn his newfound interest into a project’.
The Museum of Disgust questions whether changing our perception of disgust will help us to embrace environmentally sustainable foods in future.
Here are of some of the delicacies visitors may smell and sample at the Disgusting Food Museum:
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Surströmming (fermented herring) from Sweden (Source: The Local Sweden)
Natto, a traditional Japanese food made from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis var. Source: japantoday.com
Durian, a disgusting smelling fruit from Thailand (Source: The Independent)
Century Eggs, from China (Source: TripAdvisor)
Casu Marzu – a Sardinian sheep milk cheese that contains live maggots.Source:BBC.com
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