Reader’s Question:
I saw a scene in The Fruit of Grisaia where a character eats a snail. Is it safe to eat snails?
Are Snails Safe to Eat? A Personal Take
So, I was scrolling through some comments about that scene in The Fruit of Grisaia where a character munches on a
snail, and it got me thinking about my own culinary adventures. I mean, who hasn’t had that moment where you’re watching a show or movie, and suddenly you feel a weird craving for something strange? Now, back to snails. In Japan, you often hear about “escargot,” which is fancy French for snails. They’re usually prepared in a way that’s gourmet and delicious. But then there’s the local variety, the “katatsumuri” or garden snails. Honestly, the difference is like night and day! I remember when I was a kid back in Osaka, my friends and I would catch these little guys, thinking we could have a snail feast. Spoiler alert: we didn’t. My friend Hiroshi once dared me to try one of those wild snails. I was feeling adventurous, but after researching a bit, I backed out. I mean, the thought of parasites and bacteria just lurking in those little shells? No thanks! It’s funny how we can romanticize food from other cultures but then realize that the local versions might not be as safe. I think the most surprising part was learning that the snails we see crawling around in our gardens are not the best for eating. Who knew they were so low in nutrition and potentially hazardous? I guess it’s all about being informed. In the end, I’d rather stick to what I know is safe. I can appreciate the beauty of those fancy escargot dishes from afar, but I think I’ll leave the wild snails to the wildlife. If you’ve ever had a similar experience or even tried eating snails, I’d love to hear your stories! Did you go for the gourmet version, or were you feeling brave with the garden variety? Let’s swap some funny food tales in the comments!
