A Museum Dedicated To Disgusting Food Is Opening In Sweden | HuffPost

From century eggs to maggot-infested cheese, this museum is home to 80 of the world's most disgusting foods.

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Editor, HuffPost Australia

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From one of the world’s smelliest fruits to three-penis wine, a new museum in Sweden promises to showcase 80 of the world’s most disgusting foods.

But far from trying to gross-out visitors, Malmo’s aptly-named Disgusting Food Museum is on a mission to challenge people’s basic assumptions about food and test the theory that “disgust is cultural and contextual.”

“I was thinking about how interesting it would be to dedicate a museum not to the most beautiful or tastiest food, but to the world’s most disgusting food,” museum curator and chief “disgustologist” Samuel West told Lonely Planet. “We hope that the museum can contribute a growing interest and acceptance of more ecologically sustainable protein sources, such as insects.”

Even though Hákarl (well-aged shark from Iceland) might sound gross, why not give it a taste? Or be adventurous and try the famously stinky Durian fruit. The museum opens October 29 and tickets will only set you back $20.

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Before You Go

14 New Superfoods

Teff(01 of24)

This grain, which is commonly used in Ethiopian cooking to make inerja bread, is growing in popularity, according to Daniel Levine, director of the Avant-Guide Institute, a world trends consultancy firm. Teff is gluten free and that is part of why its profile is rising in North America, where gluten-free foods remain trendy. Unfortunately, increased Western demand for teff is sending prices higher and making it less accessible to Ethiopians who rely on its nutritious benefits and use it as a key part of their traditional cuisine. (credit:AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kimchi(02 of24)

Noticing this Korean ingredient in more and more of your favourite stores? That’s partly due to the growing popularity of fermented foods — kimchi is made with fermented cabbage — and other new-to-us ingredients, as well as an extension of the yogurt and probiotic trend. But you won’t just find kimchi in Korean dishes. “One of the biggest trends of the last year is kimchi hot dogs,” Levine says. (credit:Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Korean Food Foundation)

Sauerkraut(03 of24)

Sauerkraut is another living food that is part of the interest in fermented foods. It’s part of the ongoing “Brooklynization of food,” Levine says — pickled and fermented foods are a big part of that scene. There’s also a focus on eating authentic or raw fermented foods vs. the sauerkraut you’d find on your average grocery shelf, in order to get the full health benefits. (credit:hepp/Flickr)

Amaranth(04 of24)

This tiny grain-like seed, native to Oaxaca and once very commonly eaten in Mexico, is high in protein and fibre and gluten free. It can be cooked and substituted for rice or pasta, or popped when raw to use as a topping or eat as a snack; the plant's leaves are also edible. But as with teff, international demand is sending prices higher in Mexico and cutting availability, so many farmers have stopped exporting amaranth. (credit:AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Hemp Hearts(05 of24)

The growing consumption of hemp hearts is an example of how our cultural climate drives food trends, Levine says, since it's influenced in part by the increasing decriminalization of marijuana. “It’s in the ethos at the moment,” he explains. But the popularity of this protein-rich seed is also related to the surging popularity of plant-based diets. (credit:brownpau/Flickr)

Farro(06 of24)

You may have heard farro referred to as spelt, but it’s actually another grain entirely — one that is also from the wheat family. Farro has a chewy texture and a nutty flavour and is a familiar ingredient for fans of Italian cuisine (where it is often referred to as spelt, adding to the confusion). The farro fad is part of the growing focus on ancient grains like kamut and the move to add fibre-rich foods to our diets. (credit:michelle@TNS/Flickr)

Sea Veggies(07 of24)

Have you noticed seaweed snacks in your local grocery store? That’s because the profile is rising for sea vegetables like kelp, nori, and hijiki. It makes sense that seaweeds would start creeping into our everyday foods, considering the growing popularity of Japanese cuisine in North America, but kelp and its ilk were long considered food for hippies and found only at the stores they frequented. “The line between health-food stores and regular food stores is blurring,” Levine explains. (credit:coolmikeol/Flickr)

Matcha(08 of24)

With David’s Tea rapidly expanding and Starbucks aiming to make a splash with Teavana, tea’s popularity in North America is well established. Now the trend is moving towards teas that have even more benefits than the antioxidant boost found in green tea. Matcha is a powdered form of green tea that is used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, and while it does have a stronger taste than regular green tea, it’s increasingly found in lattes, chocolate, and in tea stores that sell it in its unflavoured form. (credit:Steenbergs/Flickr)

Camu Camu(09 of24)

This round and red berry might be the new acai, complete with Amazonian roots. This fruit, used for medicinal purposes in its native growing area, is chock full of vitamin C and therefore antioxidants. Fans of the food say camu camu is great for your eyes and gums and can help fight shingles and the common cold, but the scientific verdict on those claims is still out. (credit:espa-assets/Flickr)

Purple Cauliflower(10 of24)

Cauliflower and other brassicas like kale and Brussels sprouts have been increasing in popularity as people discover that the vegetables they hated as kids are actually delicious. Purple cauliflower is an extension of that trend — one that has bonus anthocyanin, the antioxidant found in red wine. It’s also the same antioxidant found in purple potatoes. (credit:Dowbiggin/Flickr)

Umeboshi(11 of24)

The rising profile of this Japanese food is part of our continued interest in adopting foods from other cultures that are familiar in other parts of the world but seem fresh and exotic in North America, Levine says. “There’s a lot of borrowing going on.” Umeboshi are pickled ume fruits that are something of an acquired taste, thanks to the combination of sour and salt, but they are increasingly showing up outside of Japan. (credit:mismisimos/Flickr)

Nutritional Yeast(12 of24)

Vegans are no stranger to nooch, as it's commonly called: it’s often used to add a savoury or cheesy flavour to food, and can be purchased supplemented with vitamin B12. Nutritional yeast is increasingly popular because of the growing interest in vegan foods and diets, but it has uses for omnivores as well — sprinkle them on eggs, tofu scramble, popcorn, and other foods to add a cheese flavour. Sales of nutritional yeast flakes are up 55 percent over the past year at food retailer Frontier Co-op. (credit:prideandvegudice/Flickr)

Raw Cacao(13 of24)

The popularity of raw cacao is an extension of the dark chocolate trend, Levine says. “This is taking it one step further.” This raw food, which has no added sugar, can be eaten by snacking on cacao nibs or sprinkling ground raw cacao on cereal or yogurt or adding it into your smoothies. Anne Rierson, the public relations manager for Frontier Co-op, reported a nearly 60-percent increase in sales of cacao nibs in the past twelve months. (credit:mscogsworthy/Flickr)

Noni(14 of24)

The greenish-white fruits of the Morinda citrifolia tree are valuable in Polynesian folk medicine, and now North Americans are starting to catch on to the potential benefits found in this tropical fruit. A lot of the buzz around noni is due to its potential anti-inflammatory properties, says Levine, something a lot of people are generally interested in. It’s also been studied for antibacterial and analgesic properties. A potential downside: noni has earned the nickname “vomit fruit” because of its less-than-appealing odour. (credit:Arthur Chapman/Flickr)

Combat Diabetes (15 of24)

Chia is being studied as a potential natural treatment for type-2 diabetes because of its ability to slow down digestion. The gelatinous coating chia seeds develops when exposed to liquids-can also prevent blood sugar spikes. (credit:Alamy)

Get More Fibre (16 of24)

Just a 28-gram or one-ounce serving of chia has 11 grams of dietary fibre — about a third of the recommended daily intake for adults. Adding some chia to your diet is an easy way to make sure you're getting a good amount of fibre, which is important for digestive health. (credit:Alamy)

Stock Up On Omega-3(17 of24)

Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, with nearly five grams in a one-ounce serving. These fats are important for brain health. "There's better conversion of omega 3s into the plasma or into the food than with flax seed," said researcher Wayne Coates. (credit:Alamy)

Stronger Teeth And Bones (18 of24)

A serving of chia seeds has 18 per cent of the recommended daily intake for calcium, which puts your well on your way to maintaining bone and oral health, and preventing osteoporosis. (credit:Alamy)

Don't Forget Manganese (19 of24)

Manganese isn't a well-known nutrient, but it's important for our health: it's good for your bones and helps your body use other essential nutrients like biotin and thiamin. One serving of chia seeds, or 28 grams, has 30 per cent of your recommended intake of this mineral. (credit:Alamy)

Plenty Of Phosphorus(20 of24)

With 27 per cent of your daily value for phosphorus, chia seeds also helps you maintain healthy bones and teeth. Phosphorus is also used by the body to synthesize protein for cell and tissue growth and repair. (credit:Alamy)

Pack In The Protein (21 of24)

Chia seeds also make a great source of protein for vegetarians and don't have any cholesterol. One 28-gram serving of these super seeds has 4.4 grams of protein, nearly 10 per cent of the daily value. (credit:Alamy)

Fight Belly Fat (22 of24)

Chia's stabilizing effect on blood sugar also fights insulin resistance which can be tied to an increase in belly fat, according to Live Strong. This type of resistance can also be harmful for your overall health. (credit:Alamy)

Get Full. Faster. (23 of24)

Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey, is also found in chia seeds. While tryptophan is responsible for that strong urge to nap after a big Thanksgiving dinner for example, it also helps regulate appetite, sleep and improve mood. (credit:Alamy)

Improve Heart Health (24 of24)

According to the Cleveland Clinic, chia seeds have been shown to improve blood pressure in diabetics, and may also increase healthy cholesterol while lowering total, LDL, and triglyceride cholesterol. All good news for your ticker! (credit:Alamy)

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