Is eating raw carrots so strange?
- Thread starter kenasto
- Start date
- Thread starter
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> eating in a public place
In this case, it was in the office. Everybody eats there.
The first couple of times when I got such a reaction I didn't think much about it. But I am surprised that everyone of the Japanese who saw me over the last couple of years shows such a strong reaction.
In this case, it was in the office. Everybody eats there.
The first couple of times when I got such a reaction I didn't think much about it. But I am surprised that everyone of the Japanese who saw me over the last couple of years shows such a strong reaction.
- 8 Aug 2005
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I love carrots, especially raw ones. I haven't had one in a while, I'll have to remedy that.
hkBattousai
Nihongo Learner
- 19 Oct 2006
- 160
- 5
I don't like cooked ones. I always eat raw.
One of the tonight's meal in my dorm's cafeteria includes cooked carrots!
One of the tonight's meal in my dorm's cafeteria includes cooked carrots!
Sukotto
先輩
- 9 Jul 2003
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So is it that people in Japan do not usually eat raw carrots?
Or carrots by themselves not mixed into a dish of any sort?
pipokun says most carrots are peeled already, so I imagine kenasto
was not eating them unpeeled like I do.
Hey, I do wash them off a bit and only get organic carrots. Carrots
are cheap enough to afford the organic kind.
Or carrots by themselves not mixed into a dish of any sort?
pipokun says most carrots are peeled already, so I imagine kenasto
was not eating them unpeeled like I do.
Hey, I do wash them off a bit and only get organic carrots. Carrots
are cheap enough to afford the organic kind.
but just at my home (and I believe lot of people here do the same). but since you've got such (and a lot) strange reaction... Japanese don't?
Goldiegirl
先輩
- 10 Aug 2006
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I eat raw carrots, my Japanese in-laws don't. They will only eat them cooked. As a matter of fact none of my Japanese friends or family eat them raw. They thought it was odd that I did. However, they all ate carrots, cooked, in curry and such. I found it odd that none of them will eat apples unless they are peeled.
- 18 Feb 2007
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Goldiegirl, I believe the Japanese habit of peeling fruit and veg goes back to the days when 'night soil' (sewage) was used as fertiliser - it might be worth checking that your local farmers don't use the old traditional methods to grow the crops, lol.
Goldiegirl
先輩
- 10 Aug 2006
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Ewwwwww, ok, maybe I'll be peeling everything I eat as well!
Anohito
No Longer Active
- 24 Dec 2006
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I'll be addressing comments from a few people.
First, I agree that the reaction was probably more due to the fact that you were eating the carrots around other people (in public?). There is also the "noise" factor. Eating raw carrots is not a very quiet business. It attracts attention, and attracting attention is not usually a good thing in Japan. Also, even in the USA, most people (from my experience) do at least cut carrots into pieces before eating them. Eating a whole raw carrot in public would probably conjure up images of Bugs Bunny.
It seems that the use of "night soil" is no longer common in Japan:
"Actually, only 1% of human excreta is utilized to farmland at present and the rest is treated by advanced night-soil treatment systems."
公益財団法人 国際エメックスセンター
Anyway, considering the various things that are usually sprayed on fresh produce these days, I peel things with any sort of skin. In theory, the skin of an apple, for instance, is edible, but in practice, apples are nearly always sprayed with wax and who knows what else, so I always peel apples. Carrots don't have so much of a skin, but they do come from the ground, and if I did not peel them, I would thoroughly scrub them with a brush, so I figure I might as well peel them.
First, I agree that the reaction was probably more due to the fact that you were eating the carrots around other people (in public?). There is also the "noise" factor. Eating raw carrots is not a very quiet business. It attracts attention, and attracting attention is not usually a good thing in Japan. Also, even in the USA, most people (from my experience) do at least cut carrots into pieces before eating them. Eating a whole raw carrot in public would probably conjure up images of Bugs Bunny.
It seems that the use of "night soil" is no longer common in Japan:
"Actually, only 1% of human excreta is utilized to farmland at present and the rest is treated by advanced night-soil treatment systems."
公益財団法人 国際エメックスセンター
Anyway, considering the various things that are usually sprayed on fresh produce these days, I peel things with any sort of skin. In theory, the skin of an apple, for instance, is edible, but in practice, apples are nearly always sprayed with wax and who knows what else, so I always peel apples. Carrots don't have so much of a skin, but they do come from the ground, and if I did not peel them, I would thoroughly scrub them with a brush, so I figure I might as well peel them.
- 30 Apr 2007
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The Japanese generally prefer prepared food (aside from Sashimi and salad). Veggies are garnishings, they go in noodles, inside rolls, deep-fried, etc. It's a means to an end, a raw material used to make more exotic things. (Excuse the pun). To eat a raw vegetable probably seems unappealing and vulgar, kind of like eating a raw steak or raw eggs over here. Sure it's not gonna kill you but.. WHY??
Also, the whole Western style health craze is very nascent in Japan, they get their health fix through lotions and potions, not grass root stuff like pounding back the raw veggies and fruits. I'd chalk this one up simply to a cultural difference which is somewhat spread across a few different areas.
Also, the whole Western style health craze is very nascent in Japan, they get their health fix through lotions and potions, not grass root stuff like pounding back the raw veggies and fruits. I'd chalk this one up simply to a cultural difference which is somewhat spread across a few different areas.
Goldiegirl
先輩
- 10 Aug 2006
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- 69
I think I would have been shocked with seeing someone eat a raw potato! I never heard of anyone doing that....really!
Sukotto
先輩
- 9 Jul 2003
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- 20
I'm not sure i've ever heard of anyone eating a raw potato either.
If I boil potatos and a particularly large one still is hard in the center
I plop it back in the water.
ever hear of a cannibal sandwich?
it's basically a raw hamburger.
uncooked ground beef on bread.
gross, says i. but, to each their own.
If I boil potatos and a particularly large one still is hard in the center
I plop it back in the water.
ever hear of a cannibal sandwich?
it's basically a raw hamburger.
uncooked ground beef on bread.
gross, says i. but, to each their own.
- 30 Apr 2007
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isnt raw beef dangerous?
eating a steak thats a little rare in the middle is one thing, because its never been exposed to the air and it's also been exposed to high temperatures regardless, but red ground beef isn't exactly always 'meat' and it's been processed and exposed to the environment countless times.
kowaii
people's reaction here to raw potato, myself included, is probably a perfect example of how the Japanese feel about carrots. There's probably nothing wrong with it but.. why? Because we're used to cooking potatoes thats why !
- 19 Jan 2005
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Raw potatos, like raw carrots and raw fish is just delicious. Sometimes, when the mood strikes, I will peel a potato and just eat it like an apple! I've been doing it since I was a kid. Very healthy and alot of fiber. Try it! If you've tried raw fish you can try a raw potato!
MummyMia
先輩
- 17 May 2007
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raw potato is quiet tasty I have eaten them since I was a child, but to me the thought of eating raw fish is yukkkkk!! so it is a case of what we are brought up with I think, if i were raised in Japan I wouldn't think twice about eating raw fish...... There is a raw beef dish that is served in restaurants but I cant think what it is called!!!!!!!!!
Goldiegirl
先輩
- 10 Aug 2006
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- 69
Steak Tartare, is a raw chopped beef dish....yuck....but I don't eat meat and certainly not raw. Veggies are great raw/uncooked. I will have to try a potato, but do you need to add salt or sugar, some kind of dip? 
