I’ve been reading Chinese novels and they’re always mentioning eating fish maw, and I don’t know, I just assumed that the fish maw was some part of the fish’s mouth or face. But it turns out "fish maw" is the swim bladder of fish.
They’re eating the swim bladder!
I didn’t even know that was an edible part.
But it turns out to be a delicacy. It’s rich in collagen and all kinds of beneficial stuff, so it’s supposed to be really healthy to eat.
I had no idea. There’s so many parts of food that I just throw away only to later find out they’re the best part.
Like, the rinse water from rice? When you first soak the rice, that water can be used to wash your face and it’s supposed to be super good for the skin. Then when you rinse the rice the second and third time, you can save that "nutrient rich" water and use it in your soup or to cook vegetables and that bit of starch will add thickness and extra vitamins and minerals.
I don’t do that, but it’s good information to have if I ever end up in a time travel novel or something. When I want to make my skin soft and beautiful, I’ll use the rice water to get me there. It seems cheaper and less punishable than bathing in the blood of virgins ala Elizabeth Bathory.
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My first reaction was to wonder why they eat the fish’s maw but not its paw.