DAILY DIRT: If in Kenya, be careful of the beverage you are offered

Daily Dirt for Thursday, June 5, 2025

Ice cream in Japan might be an adventure, too … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,306 of The Daily Dirt

1. Welcome to Day 3 of The Daily Dirt’s inaugural “Cuisine Week”.

Today we’re looking at some of the most bizarre food combinations across the globe. I’m still wondering what was going through the mind of the person(s) who created some/all of the following?

1. Milk and blood, Kenya: The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania love the “metallic, earthy taste” of blood that is carefully drawn from cows (in a way that supposedly does not harm them), then combining it with milk. I have no comment. None.

2. Soy sauce and ice cream, Japan: This adventure combines salty, umami-rich soy sauce with sweet, creamy vanilla ice cream. The soy sauce is to be dribbled across the ice cream to “enhance” the flavors. Thanks, but I’ll just go to Dairy Queen.

3. Green mango and fermented shrimp paste, Philippines: It’s a “tart and salty snack” that is a popular street dish, creating a “bold flavor explosion”. The shrimp paste is called “bagoong” my the natives.

4. Banana and beans, Uganda: Known as “katogo,” this rather strange mix is cooked in a stew for a hearty breakfast mix. Some versions include meat and/or vegetables.

5. Pineapple and mayonnaise sandwich, United States: Apparently, this is highly popular in some southern states. There’s not much to it. Slap a couple of those round pieces of pineapple (or used the chopped-up variety) on a well-manicured spread of mayo on white bread. The flavors and textures are the key, I am told. I have no plans to try this. Ever.

On tap Friday: We’ll continue Cuisine Week with some bizarre breakfast favorites around the world.

2. Did you know (Part 386)

• That horses cannot vomit. Their digestive systems only flow one way, so a digestive problem could be fatal.
• That rabbits eat their own poop.
• That cows can walk upstairs, but down them. Their knees do not bend properly.
• That no stripes on a zebra are alike. The patterns are as unique as fingerprints.
• That an alarm clock that sounds like a dog about to puke would be a great idea. Nothing would get you out of bed faster.

3. This week’s best of “Found on Facebook”:

• “Just before sweet potatoes are mashed, they become very quiet. This is known as the silence of the yams.”
• “Today’s 3-year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps. Me? When I was 3, I ate mud.”
• “Sometimes I like my steak undercooked … but that’s rare.”
• “My goal is to be that old person that everyone is afraid to take out in public.”
• “I know how it will end. One of the grandkids will unplug the life support to charge their phone.”
  

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Being a trophy husband is exhausting. I didn’t say it first, but wholeheartedly agree.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He certainly is exhausting.