Hormiga culona (Colombia)
Plenty of countries enjoy fried or roasted insects as a snack on the regular, but Colombia’s penchant for hormiga culona is a little more unusual. These bugs are more commonly known as big-bottomed ants and are said to have a subtle smoky and savoury flavour when soaked in saltwater and roasted to a crisp.
Garlic chocolate (Japan)
Lots of things go well with chocolate: strawberry, hazelnut, mint, just to name a few. However, Japan has one other combo that they reach for again and again: chocolate and garlic. Their black garlic chocolates are supposed to be rich and decadent in flavour, but they’re a bad Valentine’s Day option as you’d have to double-check your breath after eating.
Witchetty grub (Australia)
If you were a kid in the 90s, there’s a good chance you were first introduced to the idea of eating grubs by the delicious-looking, gem-coloured ones that Simba enjoys in The Lion King. Australia’s witchetty grubs do not have such a bright and appetising colour, but they are enjoyed across the country, and apparently boast a flavour between scorched almonds and scrambled eggs.
Hákarl (Iceland)
These little snack squares might look like fudge or some other soft, sweet food that pairs perfectly with a night in front of the TV, but don’t be deceived. Hákarl, a delicacy that hails from Iceland, is actually comprised of cured and fermented shark meat, and so is about as savoury as you can get.
Octopus-flavoured chips (South Korea)
If you were to pick up a bag of Tako Chips in a grocery store in South Korea, you’d probably look at the fish-shaped snacks and expect something similar to American Goldfish crackers. In actuality, the snorkelling octopus mascot isn’t just a cute cartoon, but a representation of what the Takos are actually flavoured with.
Kanikko (Japan)
Kanikko is a snack food with adorable packaging which is way more literal than you might expect. Hailing from Japan, these kawaii crabs treats are actually whole miniature crabs, which are supposed to deliver a burst of sweet and salty flavour when eaten. They apparently pair best with a bottle of suds, and are great bar food.
Salmiakki (Finland)
Liquorice is already a pretty divisive food, with as many people hating it as loving it. However, Finland has created an even more polarising snack food with salmiakki, a heavily salted liquorice treat that is supposed to perfectly balance puckering salt flavour with sweetness. Of course, it’s black liquorice, so it’s also pretty bitter.
Marmite-flavoured chips (UK)
Marmite is the original love-it-or-hate-it foodstuff, so it’s no surprise that its derivatives are just as polarising. These Marmite-flavoured potato chips were available to purchase in the UK for a short time and became instantly infamous. Their tangy, salty flavour apparently works great by itself, in a sandwich or with dip.
Deep-fried butter balls (United States)
This American snack is exactly what they say on the tin… or the butter packet. Deep-fried butter balls are often found at carnivals, state fairs and other celebrations, occasions when all notions of moderation and good sense go out of the window. Some add honey or cinnamon to the frying batter for more depth of flavour, but many people just deep fry balls of butter.
Mountain Dew Doritos (United States)
The United States is famous for its neon snacks that appear to be stomach-melting at first glance, and Mountain Dew Doritos are no exception. Marketed as the quintessential gamer snack to keep someone powering through hours of console combat or Minecraft building, they promise a spicy, zesty flavour and probably fluorescent finger residue.
