1 Essence of the issue

Fugu is a small fish( not larger than 40 cm) that does not have scales and can inflate at the moment of danger like a ball, spiked with sharp spikes. Tetrodotoxin is a deadly poison that is found in large quantities in the liver, caviar, intestines and skin of the fish, affects the central nervous system of the poisoned person and causes paralysis of muscles and respiratory organs. Symptoms of poisoning appear quickly enough( within 10-15 minutes).First marked numbness of the tongue and lips, then the sensitivity of the limbs is lost, and coordination of movements is disturbed. The inability to swallow and dizziness in more serious cases can result in vomiting, a violation of breathing.

Poisoning fish fugu can end fatal if the poison dose is large enough. In this case, within half an hour, paralysis of the central nervous system and respiratory organs develops. The victim can be saved only by connecting to him an artificial respiration apparatus and maintaining blood circulation functions. But it can not be confidently said that a person will survive and not fall into a coma. Antidote to tetrodotoxin does not exist yet.

A person who has an idea of ​​the possible consequences of such a delicacy and decides to taste such an exotic delicacy must have a philosophical attitude to life. Apparently, the Japanese have this all right, since they have such a traditional and extreme dish. What is the attraction of fugu that makes so many culinary gourmets go to deadly risk? Experts say that the tender fish fillet melts in the mouth and resembles Japanese painting to taste: something refined and elusive. But most likely it's the thrill of death. To all the well-known Japanese attitude toward death, there is a response in fearless hearts. In addition, tetrodotoxin in small, abandoned virtuoso chefs, doses acts as a drug, intoxicating, anesthetizing, exacerbating all feelings and breaking the connection with reality.

2 Preparation of delicacy

The process of making fugu is a whole ritual that is strictly written down step by step and is performed only by a professional licensed chef, able to distinguish a fugue from a very dangerous food. Removal of poisonous parts of fish requires special skill and knowledge in this area, so the right to prepare fugu can not get any cook. It is believed that even touching the poisonous entrails of fugu fish poses a threat to health. After removing the toxic parts and skin, the fillets are cut and washed in running water.

The fillet is cut so thin that it shines, and the cook creates on a plate of thesepearly petals various shapes or landscapes. This dish, prepared from raw slices of fugu, is called fugusashi and is served with a special ponzu sauce and momidzhi-oroshi( a mixture of grated radish and red pepper).Then follows the soup fugu-zosui and slightly fried sliced ​​fugu. All meals are served directly by the chef, who carefully ensures that guests do not eat more of a safe dose.

The cost of exotic delicacy ranges from $ 40 for 1 tasting to $ 500 for a menu of 5 dishes. To afford the extreme sensations in the gastronomy for such prices can not every Japanese or visitor visiting the Land of the Rising Sun.

Currently, several countries are bred non-toxic fugu fish. The fact is that the strongest toxin in the body of pufferfish accumulates in the process of eating them poisonous mollusks, worms and sea stars. Changing the diet of fish makes it safe and quite suitable for eating, but completely boring and mundane. Therefore, the withdrawal of this fish species fugu did not cause a special sensation.

3 Usage for medical purposes

From the centuries-old history of Japan and China, recipes are known, which include fugu fish. Such funds were used as pain medications, prescribed for the treatment of leprosy, mental disorders, heart disease and prostate.

The mechanism of action of tetrodotoxin on neural tissue is of great scientific interest to many scientists conducting research in this field. Due to its ability to selectively block transmission of a nerve impulse, tetrodotoxin can be used as an anesthetic. In the future, it is planned to use it widely to create highly effective anesthetics, as well as to treat patients with rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and many other diseases.