Habushu

nihongo|"Habushu"|ハブ酒 is an "awamori"-based liqueur made in Okinawa, Japan. The "awamori" is first mixed with various herbs and honey giving the clear liquid a yellow hue. A pit viper is then inserted into the liquid and stored until consumed. The viper is believed by some to have medicinal properties. Some brands of "habushu" come with the snake still inside the bottle.cite web|url=http://passionatefoodie.mobiforumz.com/category/okinawa/ |title=Saké Sunday: Saké With a Snake? |accessdate=2008-08-19 |date=2008-02-10] There are two methods of inserting the snake into the alcohol. The maker may choose to simply submerge the snake in the alcohol and seal the bottle, thus drowning the snake. Alternatively, the snake may be put on ice until it passes out, at which point it is then gutted, bleed and sewed up. The viper is then thawed and is then quickly drowned in the sealed "habushu" bottle. Removing the intestines of the snake, as in the second method, is thought to decrease the drink's particularly unpleasant smell.

ee also

*Sake

References