World of cures for a hangover
MILLIONS of football fans will be nursing a sore head today after watching England’s clash with Belgium while enjoying a few beers.
Meanwhile plenty of other supporters around the globe will be drowning their sorrows after their teams were knocked out of the World Cup.
So forget trying the usual remedies – in the spirit of the international flavour of the tournament. JAMES MOORE has scoured the planet for the most unusual hangover cures…
PICKLED HERRINGS
Where: Germany
After making a pickle of their World Cup campaign, hungover Germans appropriately tuck into katerfrühstück – a breakfast of pickled herring wrapped around pickled gherkins and onions.
SOUR PLUMS
Where: Japan
In the land of the rising sun they down sour plums known as umeboshi by letting them dissolve in the mouth, with the fruit supposedly preventing nausea and combatting fatigue.
SWALLOWING A LEMON
Where: Russia
One of the many antidotes for a session on the country’s famously strong vodka is the ‘nikolaschka’, allegedly invented by Tsar Nicholas II. Take a slice of lemon, sprinkle coffee and sugar over it, then down the lot in one.
VODKA SOCKS
Where: Estonia
A barmy sounding cure from the Baltic nation involves soaking socks in vodka and water, covering them with another pair and then retiring to bed with a nice cup of tea. The idea is that you sweat out the toxins!
RAW EGGS
Where: USA
Americans cure their hangovers by cracking a raw egg into a glass, adding Tabasco sauce, vinegar, pepper and perhaps a shot of vodka, then down the lot. It’s known as a prairie oyster.
BULL’S PENIS
Where: Italy
They made a b***s-up of qualifying for the tournament. But in Sicily an old belief has it that nibbling on a dried bull’s private parts will help after a night on the sauce. Don’t fancy that? The ancient Romans favoured a meal of deep-fried canary.
OX BLOOD
Where: South Korea
After celebrating their victory over Germany, many Koreans will have been tucking into Haejangguk, literally “soup to chase a hangover” made with cabbage and ox blood.
HEAD CHEESE
Where: Iceland
A terrine of meat jelly from the head of a sheep. It’s known as sviðasulta to Icelanders, who shun the fry up for this potty paté, served with bread.
SHEEP EYEBALLS
Where: Mongolia
The nation’s drinkers flock to down these delicacies which are pickled in tomato juice – believed to help the liver process alcohol.
TRIPE STEW
Where: Mexico
Get moo-ving again with some cow’s stomach cooked up in a spicy stew known as Menudo also made with red chilies, lime, onions, and oregano.
OSTRICH EGG OMELETTE
Where: South Africa
Eggs are packed with amino acids to help break down substances that cause hangovers. And South Africans go large with this cracking cure – one ostrich egg is equal to 24 chicken ones.
VEGEMITE ON TOAST Where: Australia
Crash out like the Aussies with their popular spread which has been found to be highly effective, replenishing salt and B vitamin levels. Or try an Aboriginal cup of tea – made from green ants!