OMG_Bill Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Is Ambergris the best of the best of the sperm whale? I've read a little about the stuff but never experiencd it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted February 25, 2012 "Ambergris ( /ˈæmbəɡriːs/, Latin: Ambra grisea, Ambre gris, ambergrease or grey amber) is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull gray or blackish color produced in the digestive system of and regurgitated or secreted by sperm whales. Freshly produced ambergris has a marine, fecal odor. However, as it ages, it acquires a sweet, earthy scent commonly likened to the fragrance of rubbing alcohol without the vaporous chemical astringency." Gee, sounds yummy as a potential cocktail additive, doesn't it? Then again, I hear that coffee made with civet cat droppings is supposed to be delicious, so who knows? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Abs, your description really doesn't do it justice. It's been used in perfumes and incenses since ancient Egyptian times. It truly is a marvelous aroma and distinctive flavor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenbird Report post Posted February 25, 2012 It course it comes from an endangered species, so I have no desire to try it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiO Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Endangered or not, I don't think the whales want it back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greenbird Report post Posted February 25, 2012 I stand corrected: free the whale puke! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted February 25, 2012 It course it comes from an endangered species, so I have no desire to try it. Ambergris that is sold nowadays is strictly regulated, and is only harvested as it washes ashore naturally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted February 25, 2012 It's been used in perfumes... I knew that. Perhaps that might even be L'Italienne's magical secret, eh, Stefano? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larspeart Report post Posted February 25, 2012 It course it comes from an endangered species, so I have no desire to try it. Ambergris that is sold nowadays is strictly regulated, and is only harvested as it washes ashore naturally. I was just going to interject that. It's rarer now, like the whale, than ever, this making it even more expensive. More, the really GOOD stuff has to, naturally, sorta float around a loooong time. It's a sorta odd, serendipitous item. You sorta stumble on a good 'loaf'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegreenimp Report post Posted February 25, 2012 This reminds me of the punch scene from Hollywood Knights Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Artemis Report post Posted February 25, 2012 Fairly prominent in Asian countries. I mean, not with horses necessarily...but with other animals. They should use bulls and call it Beef Strokenoff. When I lived on Okinawa there was a drink sold in vending machines (elsewhere too I guess) called Calpis. It was based upon fermented mare's milk or some such Mongolian concoction. The TV commercial didn't help: a smiling young boy with a bottle in his hand and a whitish ring around his mouth saying (what sounded like) MMMMMM! Cow Piss! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted February 26, 2012 And one for good measure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baubel Report post Posted February 26, 2012 It course it comes from an endangered species, so I have no desire to try it. Ambergris that is sold nowadays is strictly regulated, and is only harvested as it washes ashore naturally. I was just going to interject that. It's rarer now, like the whale, than ever, this making it even more expensive. More, the really GOOD stuff has to, naturally, sorta float around a loooong time. It's a sorta odd, serendipitous item. You sorta stumble on a good 'loaf'. I believe it's also more valuable than gold/per ounce, so anyone lucky enough to stumble upon a "loaf" could potentially pinch out a brick or two. Has anyone seen Abs' prune juice? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Songcatcher Report post Posted February 26, 2012 Then again, I hear that coffee made with civet cat droppings is supposed to be delicious, so who knows? I'll never drink catshit coffee i don't give a damn how good it tastes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted February 26, 2012 Don't knock it till you try it. It's quite tasty. I'd rank Civet coffee pretty low on the 'hard to bring myself to try' list. Balut and Durian we're two of the most difficult. Blood jello with onions just a little less so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buddhasynth Report post Posted February 26, 2012 Durian is pretty rough. I walked into a pretty funny conversation about it with a Korean coworker who then gave me a piece. It tasted like puke. Seriously. He laughed heartily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evan Camomile Report post Posted February 26, 2012 Then again, I hear that coffee made with civet cat droppings is supposed to be delicious, so who knows? One of the biggest coffee connoisseurs/geeks I know (PLUG: North central champion, etc.) hates the stuff and thinks it's the most over-marketed high priced crap in the coffee world. I'd still try a cup though. Don't knock it till you try it. It's quite tasty. I'd rank Civet coffee pretty low on the 'hard to bring myself to try' list. Balut and Durian we're two of the most difficult. Blood jello with onions just a little less so. Cobra Blood Pudding I might do again, but Durian is on my "never again" list. Balut is on my "must try at least once" list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Artemis Report post Posted February 26, 2012 I've had the Civet scat coffee. It's not nasty or anything like that, but there's nothing special about it either. There are so many variables that go into producing any good coffee that making a big deal about one processed through the intestines of a Civet is merely a freak show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Songcatcher Report post Posted February 26, 2012 well if someone wants to drink something that came out of a cats ass who am i to try and stop them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Artemis Report post Posted February 26, 2012 They aren't actually cats, but that's a good attitude. You should run for Congress, we need more like you in there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcbphd Report post Posted February 26, 2012 I can't believe the durian haters in this place. I really liked it. Creamy, custard-like, with just a hint of Vidalia onion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted February 26, 2012 I like it too! It was just difficult to try forthe first time. In fact, I like all of the things I mentioned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crow Report post Posted February 27, 2012 I couldn't bring myself to try it, but once by accident (in Malaysia) I bought a durian flavored ice pop. Tasted exactly like vomit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted February 27, 2012 (edited) I can't believe the durian haters in this place. I really liked it. Creamy, custard-like, with just a hint of Vidalia onion. Tasted exactly like vomit. Sounds like you two are in complete agreement. I'm crossing that stuff off my list of potential food experiences. Edited February 27, 2012 by Absomphe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buddhasynth Report post Posted February 27, 2012 puke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Robinson Report post Posted February 27, 2012 My blog post about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crow Report post Posted February 27, 2012 That was great, Brian, thanks. I'd love to see the links if you can get them working again. A local Asian market here also sells whole, frozen durian, and I am still tempted on occasion to give it a try. It can't be worse than haggis, can it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcbphd Report post Posted February 27, 2012 I got the frozen durian, thawed it outside, and ate it outside. It was not nearly as gross as I had expected. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Absomphe Report post Posted February 27, 2012 It can't be worse than haggis, can it? I'll bet it is. Call me a dyed-in-the-woad Pict, but I'm kinda partial to the stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
