In a restaurant outside of Hanoi, I found this massive pitcher of snake-infused wine. Snake wine, also know as "shéjiǔ; rượu rắn" is popular throughout China and Northern Vietnam.
To make the wine, large venomous snakes are placed into a jar of rice wine with some medicinal herbs and left for several months. You will see in this picture not only are there many large Cobras, but also a variety of smaller snakes, a large Tokay Gecko, and there is also a black raven (crow) which you can't see. I estimate that in this particular bottle there were more than 20 snakes.
The poisonous venom dissolves harmlessly into the liquor, but is believed to improve health and virility. The rice wine itself is particularly potent, and therefore the drink is only taken in small shots. On this particular day, I declined a chance to partake. Not only did it look disgusting it was also rather expensive and I was on a budget. Perhaps next time I'll be braver.
Here you can see several bottles being sold in a local stall.
Let me know if you would like a bottle and I'll send you one.
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To make the wine, large venomous snakes are placed into a jar of rice wine with some medicinal herbs and left for several months. You will see in this picture not only are there many large Cobras, but also a variety of smaller snakes, a large Tokay Gecko, and there is also a black raven (crow) which you can't see. I estimate that in this particular bottle there were more than 20 snakes.
The poisonous venom dissolves harmlessly into the liquor, but is believed to improve health and virility. The rice wine itself is particularly potent, and therefore the drink is only taken in small shots. On this particular day, I declined a chance to partake. Not only did it look disgusting it was also rather expensive and I was on a budget. Perhaps next time I'll be braver.
Here you can see several bottles being sold in a local stall.
Click here to:
No Thanks @bkkshadow I prefer to enjoy them live in their own habitat. Interesting custom for sure. Poor little guys.
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Growing up in Australia, where most snakes can kill you, I find they are best left well alone :)
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I would totally agree, I use to play with our common grass snakes as a kid, today I just scootch them away. lol
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Wow that looks so unhealthy! I would kindly reject the opportunity as well. Why and how did you encounter the snake wine? Was it business related? I wonder if they have snake farms for this purpose..
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this was in a restaurant, you can also find it for sale in many local shops.
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brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr -- good never trink that **** 😦
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hahaha nope
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Ha-ha @bkkshadow
didn't you leave out the rest of the story?
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Nope, that was all. I didnt drink it :)
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I can imagine some claim its healing or invigorating properties...
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I'm not gonna lie, I'm definitely interested!! LOL! How much do they charge for a shot? And a bottle?
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not sure, but as locals drink it, I think it couldnt be too expensive. Though this big bottle may have cost more due to the variety and number of specimens inside.
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Hmm I wanna try it !
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I can send you some if you like :p
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Not for me thank you very much!!
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not for me either !
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it would be worth it to buy a whole bottle if it had a cobra in it just to put it on the shelf
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that would freak me out, but if I had a bar maybe
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Have you ever heard about the story that the snakes in those bottles was still alive and bit a woman who opened the lid?
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