Buzz
For daring food lovers, no ingredient is off-limits. From exotic animals and rare plants to unconventional fungi, there’s almost nothing that hasn’t been consumed by someone, somewhere. This adventurous spirit even extends to inanimate objects. It’s no shock, then, that blood has found its way into global cuisines. Far from being limited to fictional vampires or ancient rituals, blood is a staple in numerous cultures, appearing in drinks, baked goods, desserts, and even protein bars. Here’s a look at ten extraordinary and unusual dishes from around the world that feature blood as a key ingredient.
10. Blood Milk, Kenya
The Maasai, an indigenous tribe from Kenya and Tanzania, are renowned for their traditional lion hunts, once a rite of passage for young men before hunting bans were enforced. Another notable aspect of their culture is their consumption of blood, a practice that continues to intrigue outsiders.
Cattle are central to the Maasai way of life, providing not only milk and meat but also blood. The tribe has perfected a technique to extract blood from their cattle’s jugular veins without harming the animals. This blood is consumed raw, cooked into a gelatinous form, or blended with milk to create a unique, savory beverage.
9. Czernina, Poland
Czernina, also known as czarnina, is a traditional Polish soup that makes extensive use of its primary ingredient, duck. While the stew primarily features duck meat, its distinctiveness lies in the sweet, sour, and tangy broth, which is crafted using the duck’s blood.
The broth gains its unique flavor by blending the blood with vinegar and sweetening agents such as honey or fruit syrup. Although duck is the traditional choice, some variations use chicken, pork, or rabbit. Regardless of the meat, the blood remains the defining element of the dish. In Polish culture, czernina was historically served to console young suitors who faced rejection. While some might prefer to cry, a bowl of blood soup might just be the perfect comfort food.
8. Sanguinaccio Dolce, Italy
Blood pudding is a dish well-known in both the U.S. and Europe, so this next entry might not seem too unusual. In fact, it sounds quite appetizing, especially when paired with fava beans and a glass of chianti.
Sanguinaccio Dolce, an Italian delicacy, translates to sweet blood pudding, a name that perfectly captures its essence. While it includes typical pudding ingredients like milk, chocolate, sugar, and sometimes flour, vanilla, cinnamon, or raisins, what truly sets it apart is the addition of pig’s blood.
This dessert gained widespread attention when it appeared in the third season of *Hannibal*, a series centered on the infamous cannibal. In the show, Hannibal Lecter prepared his version of Sanguinaccio Dolce using cow’s blood and, in one instance, a far more sinister alternative.
7. Blood Tofu, China
In China, there are numerous names for this unique ingredient—dark tofu, black tofu, blood tofu, or blood curd, to name a few. Despite the variety of names, they all refer to the same product: pig blood coagulated into a dense, tofu-like block.
Blood tofu can be a challenge for travelers, particularly vegetarians and vegans, who might mistake it for a meat-free option. Unlike traditional tofu, which is plant-based, blood tofu is made from animal blood. It is commonly used in a variety of dishes, including rice, noodles, and soups, much like its vegetarian counterpart.
6. Blodplättar, Sweden
Blodplättar is a fascinating dish, resembling a typical pancake but with a unique twist—whipped blood is added to the batter. Beyond its intriguing preparation, this dish represents just the beginning of a broader culinary tradition.
While blodplättar originates from Sweden, similar recipes can be found throughout Europe. In Spain, it’s known as filloas de sangre, or blood crepes. In Finland, it’s called veriohukainen, and in Estonia, verikäkk. This dish is just one example of Sweden’s rich blood-based cuisine, which also includes blood soup, blood pudding, blood potato dumplings, and blood bread.
5. Pig Blood Ice Cream, U.S.
In recent years, U.S. creameries have started experimenting with pig’s blood as an ingredient in ice cream. One of the pioneers of this unusual recipe was D.C. chef Garret Fleming, who aimed to blend modern ice cream techniques with the flavors of Italian blood pudding (Sanguinaccio Dolce). The result is a creamy, dense dessert with a distinct mineral undertone, courtesy of the blood.
Pig’s blood ice cream has gained traction for two key reasons. First, it serves as an egg-free alternative, as the blood replaces egg yolks typically used to thicken the custard base, making it suitable for those with egg allergies. Second, its unconventional ingredient has turned it into a seasonal favorite, especially around Halloween, with creative names like “Dracula’s Blood Pudding” adding to its appeal.
4. Hematogen, Russia
Although Hematogen was originally created by the Swiss in 1890, it has become synonymous with Russia. The country began producing its own version in the 1920s, even supplying it to soldiers during World War II. Today, it is sold in pharmacies as a nutritional supplement for children. Hematogen is a sweet, chocolate-flavored bar similar to a PowerBar, but instead of whey protein, it contains cow’s blood. The name itself hints at its blood-based composition.
Hematogen is marketed both as a tasty, health-conscious snack and a medicinal product. Its high iron content is believed to help prevent anemia and support blood health, particularly for pregnant and nursing women. During the Soviet era, these bars were widely available across Russia and its allied nations. However, a decline in the availability of “black food albumen,” or cow’s blood, has made them less common in recent years.
3. Black Broth, Ancient Sparta
The ancient Spartans are celebrated for their fierce warrior culture and extreme measures to prepare for combat. One such unusual practice was their consumption of black broth, a blood-based soup.
The exact nature of Spartan black broth remains a topic of debate among historians. Some argue it was a daily staple for all Spartans, while others believe it was reserved for the elite or special events. Its purpose is also contested—was it consumed for strength or as part of a celebration? The ingredients are equally unclear, as no definitive recipe exists. However, it likely included blood, pork, salt, and vinegar. Evidence suggests that younger Spartans consumed the broth, while the elderly drank blood raw. Regardless of the specifics, the inclusion of blood in the dish is undeniably emblematic of Spartan culture.
2. Sundae, South Korea
Here’s a crucial tip: if you’re in Korea, don’t order a sundae expecting ice cream with hot fudge. In Korea, “sundae” refers to blood sausages, which, while flavorful, would be a shocking surprise for anyone craving a sweet dessert.
Korean sundae comes in various forms, but all are far from vegetarian-friendly. Made by steaming cow or pig intestines stuffed with blood, and sometimes including liver and lung, these sausages are combined with meat, rice, and vegetables. Often served with gochujang, they are a popular street food, ensuring you’ll know exactly what you’re getting before you take a bite.
1. Snake Wine, Southeast Asia
Snake wine, known by various names across Asia, is prepared in numerous ways, but all versions share one key ingredient: snake blood mixed with wine. While snake meat is consumed in many Asian countries, it must come from non-venomous species to ensure safety. Venomous snakes can only be consumed if their venom proteins are neutralized, a process effectively achieved by the ethanol in alcoholic beverages, which explains the widespread popularity of snake wine.
Snake wine generally comes in two forms: mixed or steeped. The mixed variety involves blending snake blood directly with alcohol, often rice wine, and sometimes other bodily fluids—never venom. The steeped version entails immersing an entire snake in alcohol for weeks or even years, allowing the venom to denature and become harmless. Both types are believed to offer medicinal benefits, particularly as remedies for male virility issues.
