Ancient Roman Jellyfish for the Black Banquet

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Subtitles: Jose Mendoza | IG @worldagainstjose
PHOTO CREDITS
Apicius: ​​By Bonho1962 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Bust of Domitian: By I, Sailko, CC BY 2.5, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Domitian Standing Statue: By Steerpike - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Colosseum: By Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Nerva: By I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
#tastinghistory #ancientrome #blackbanquet

[@Lauren.E.O]

Just about any famous Roman emperor throwing a banquet and inviting you is more of a threat than an honor, tbh.

[@black_rabbit_0f_inle805]

Threat or trick

[@marcopollo91]

Unless it's Marcus Aurelius

[@TastingHistory]

So true 😂

[@HolyLionProphet]

@@TastingHistory Jellyfish😂 Medusa is better that forever.

[@anonvideo738]

I'd be down with one of Vitellius his parties

[@Bludgeoned2DEATH2]

“History is not written by the winners, it’s written by people who write things down” Absolutely positively beautiful prose, Max, I love it 😭

[@guyver441]

Mind = 🤯 I'm gonna quote that, and give credit to Max.

[@MossyMozart]

@@guyver441 - Yes, I included the quote into my quote collection.

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

Quite true, and sufficient literacy to do that presumably wasn't as common in the lower classes then as now. To rave over someone like Domitian and also be able to write copiously about it is a distinctly MODERN phenomenon. There was no Facebook or Instagram or Twitter, etc. at that time! Future, saner historians will have a whole different model to analyze.

[@echolalia682]

It's both. If it wasn't, book burning and censorship wouldn't be a thing. Writing things down is useless if nobody ever reads what you wrote, and the victors get to decide that.

[@totallynotsarcastic7392]

@@echolalia682 that holds even truer today, when so much of what's written/produced is purely digital. If some entities with power don't like what you say/do, one press of a button and it's gone forever, like so many youtube channels, facebook pages, twitter threads, subreddits, not to mention countless now defunct forums that can no longer be accessed even via archives/wayback machine etc. Considering there are many powerful partisan groups with lots of influence at the highest levels of social media and finance, lots of things could disappear completely unless some diligent archivers think ahead and sacrifice their time and resources into archiving stuff proactively.

[@edelinet]

I'm ethnic Chinese and have eaten jellyfish salad numerous times at wedding banquets, and the texture was always delightful - slippery yet crunchy. I'd never considered before how it was cooked, and this vid has made me really curious. I found out that for the salad recipe, the dried jellyfish is shredded into strips, soaked overnight, rinsed, briefly blanched in boiling water, then plunged into icy water and drained. That's it. The texture will then be crunchy yet jelly-like, and can be mixed with seasonings and other ingredients to make a yummy salad. I think it was the cooking for 20-25 minutes that gave the jellyfish that awful rubbery texture.

[@Lantispitfire]

Now that you mentioned it, I want some jellyfish/radish salad

[@shaquicedacosta]

That sounds lovely. I live in Japan so hopefully it won’t be too hard to find 😁

[@earthknight60]

@@shaquicedacosta Easy to find from Japan to Vietnam. I'm not a fan of it, but have had it many times in China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Didn't bother with it in Japan, and haven't been to Korea yet.

[@ZoomZoom870atGmail]

Well I'm sure it's best in Eastern cultures (China, Japan, Vietnam) I've had jellyfish in the American Gulf that was super crunchy and a little slippery. It didn't have a ton of flavor but it was good. I wonder if the jellyfish in the video came in a jar or can or if it was the cooking method that made it tough.

[@johnchoy4896]

I love East Asian style jellyfish too, especially with a bit of sesame or chili oil. I've never made it myself but I've been told that it requires some very specific preparation to prevent it from becoming tough and stringy.

[@tracyelder1220]

I think this is the first Tasting History I've seen in which you visibly seemed to be choking back a gag reflex. Domitian is out here terrorizing from beyond the grave.

[@slhughes1267]

It's the second one that I've observed. The other was a Viking "dragon heart" (beef heart). It was way too dense a texture for him.

[@tracyelder1220]

@@slhughes1267 I didn't see that one! Sounds horrifying. Can't wait to watch it haha.

[@animula6908]

That’s saying something for his toughness given garum.

[@slhughes1267]

@@tracyelder1220 Any heart needs to be braised or very slow roasted for a very long time. It's incredibly dense.

[@_Shadoh_]

And we don't even know how bad it actually was, bc there is a CUT in the middle of him chewing. Maybe he had to spit it out or even puked? We'll probably never know.

[@lucasprzybyla848]

I like to think Max's local butcher/fishmonger has a mild reaction of dread every time he sees Max walk in at this point

[@deniseblackburn33]

Right....

[@Ben.....]

if I was Max's butcher id be excited to order all this weird stuff. breaks up the day

[@MegaKat]

He probably hears boss music

[@quillanham440]

@@deniseblackburn33right…..

[@CaptainRiterraSmith]

This dinner sounds like a real life psychological horror movie.

[@lillyh3447]

Honestly 😂 I'd watch a thriller based on this banquet

[@lindaseel8633]

@@lillyh3447 That would make a great movie.

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

The visuals are so vivid. It's like a Poe story.

[@stevenshea990]

It's just a prank bro! - Domitian

[@MoltenPlastic]

I was totally enraptured by the tale.

[@jkjerbdhetheth]

Max: acquires cuddlefish ink, jellyfish, garum, and rue Also Max: settles for tilapia

[@slwrabbits]

freshly grown rue, nonetheless! but given what he was planning to do to it, not sure the type of fish mattered all that much

[@chadwickhurlburt6529]

Have mercy, that banquet must have been the most terrifying dinner experience in all of history. That is some 5-star horror movie stuff. I would have been terrified forever afterward. Little wonder they stabbed him to death later. I suppose it happened so much later because it took them that much time to build up the courage to do it.

[@unemployedphilosopher5072]

There is a movie called The Menu you might like.

[@tatuvarvemaa5314]

Its interesting how he fullfilled his own paranoied prophesy through things like this. Its awfully common in leaders like this, like Stalin.

[@John_Fugazzi]

I'm sure that every one of them had to eat everything on their plates as well and if this dish is an example, that must have been pretty unpleasant.

[@Kidneyjoe42]

@@tatuvarvemaa5314 He reigned for 15 years despite treating the senate like trash the entire time. Aurelian was assassinated after only 5 despite being one of the greatest saviors in Rome's history. And the senate tried to damn his memory as well. So no, Domitian's paranoia, if it existed at all, had no causative relationship with either his assassination or the senate's hatred of him. The senate would have hated and plotted to kill Jupiter himself.

[@lhfirex]

I've eaten jellyfish when I lived in Japan, but it wasn't served at a creepy Roman imperial banquet, so I have to say the atmosphere wasn't very interesting.

[@zoinomiko]

I've only had jellyfish in Japanese food and it was really good!! Sad this preparation screwed it up :(

[@snex000]

Any decent Chinese restaurant in America will have jellyfish.

[@lhfirex]

@@zoinomiko Same, I had it fried (which obviously changes the texture a lot) and in soup and even as a sliced meat in salad, and it was great in all of those cases. But different seasonings and different preparations from this dish for sure.

[@suzz1776]

Was it good? Iv always wanted to try to but never had the courage to . So was it good? What did it taste like? And was there sand in it cuz that is why I can't eat muscles or clams cuz of the sand in it, gives me the heebeegeebeeies. 😀

[@snex000]

@@suzz1776 It doesn't really taste like anything. It's just an interesting texture. Very similar to fresh seaweed.

[@MummaQuan]

“It’s a lot of textures, none of them are good” 😂😂😂 You’re brave for even trying this! And all for our education & entertainment. Thank you!

[@guyver441]

That face...I don't think I have ever served food and seen that reaction, thankfully. "I now INTENSELY regret making this video."

[@oggopia]

@@guyver441 Yeah, he's definitely disliked past dishes, but I can't remember a time when he struggled so much to keep it down. That was very much an "I am full of regret" face. Thanks for taking one for the team, Max!

[@nicolasaldape3286]

clearly a ringing endorsement there from Max, lmao xD

[@MrGksarathy]

@@oggopia I think the heart dish he did might have been similar.

[@christineg8151]

His facial expressions there were a JOURNEY! I am so glad he tasted it so I am not even tempted!

[@generalpenultimo6502]

Domitians "It's just a prank, bro" is on a whole other level 😂

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

I personally think Domitian had more class than that.

[@franzfanz]

The Max described that dinner made my pulse start to race. I can only imagine how stressful it would have been to be one of the senators there.

[@quinnflorence]

And then they go home thinking Well I still alive that good Then a knock on their door… The Roman senators all dredging and fearing their doors Thinking,” Oh gods! He gonna kill us now!” Only it was just the emperor’s staff giving them their gifts the “ tombstones” and the ghost/ spirits that sat next to them… the new server kid wash and cleaned… Yah that was quite the horror gothic reading max gave us… But it was for a reason the emperor want to remind those Roman senators who runs the show and keep them all on their toes…

[@1One2Three5Eight13]

I had heard that "That was so good, I couldn't tell what I was eating" was a high compliment in Roman times, because it implied a high-status dish, using a lot of expensive spices, so it tasted like the spices, and not the original food. (Presumably using food exotic enough that your guests were unfamiliar with it was also considered a high accomplishment.)

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

"No one will know what they are eating" could actually sort of apply to some modern recipes. Like, if you've ever had a really intensive mole sauce, I think that's what they're going for.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 I had something more like "mystery meat" in mind but point taken.

[@wxlurker]

@@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 I never heard of mole sauce, it’s nice to learn new stuff not just from the video but also the comments.

[@jonesnori]

@@wxlurker All I know about it is that it comes from Mexican cuisine and has chocolate in it, but is savory, not sweet. It's very dark and thick, and sometimes too spicy for me (a lot of Mexican food is, which is too bad, because I love the rest of it).

[@seanirby8838]

I LOVE the slightly deadpan, slightly horrified, "It's a LOT of texture." Our host's sincerity makes it all the better. Thank you for making this, trying it, and then actually having a bit more to prove your point.

[@obiwan-in-a-pudding2909]

That's so goth. I wanna host a dinner party like this

[@phelpysan]

His hand absolutely quaking trying to put the jellyfish in his mouth 😭

[@lorettashepherd.]

Poor Max. I really felt for him as he took that first bite. I gagged out of sympathy for him. The things this wonderful man goes through to teach us and entertain us. Thank you as always Max and may your next recipe be more palatable and favorable to you and to us all.

[@hadmatter9240]

Our tastes have evolves, as have we. I own a copy of Apicius, and I doubt even the most ardent of the "nose-to-tail" would try more than a handful of the recipes before gagging.

[@insertianameia2224]

His face said it all.

[@ABC1701A]

@@hadmatter9240 I like the hard boiled eggs in a pine nut sauce and make that one frequently. The rest, not quite so much although with some slight alterations many are then very nice indeed (we all got a copy when I was at school (a photocopy I should add) in Latin class)'

[@VenusFlyHands]

I felt bad for Max but his reaction cracked me up. The piece he held up looked like fish bait. I was all "Max, no! 😱" when he went to nibble on it. A horrifying dish and story. This episode is perfect for Halloween.

[@totallynotsarcastic7392]

Considering Max can usually muster at least a few nice words about any meal, this must've been truly abysmal lol

[@han_463]

you could see when he was chewing he wanted to spit it out so bad 😅

[@averagejoe9040]

@@han_463 that look in his eyes says it all

[@easolinas1233]

I'm sure this occurred to you already, but "the Black Banquet" sounds like either an event where people die in Game of Thrones, or an Edgar Allan Poe story. And your sacrifice is much appreciated, since it brought us this wonderfully eerie story just in time for Halloween (even if it's the wrong culture for that).

[@flipkiller8521]

The Red Wedding is partially based on the Black Banquet.

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

Mr. Miller, I have heard of "dinner and a show" or "themed parties" but Domitian really went above and beyond with that Black Banquet.

[@Kristen.Chrysler]

I want a shirt saying “I survived dinner with Emperor Domitian and all I got was this t-shirt”

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

So, yeah, Domitian was a monster and that Black Banquet was sick torture, but I can't help but dig the gothic vibes of it all. Were I ever to go all in on a Halloween party, I think this would be the style to emulate... as long as all the guests felt safely that I am not going to murder them.

[@FalconOfStorms]

I mean, keep 'em a >little< on edge...

[@JCRS92]

If death isn't close, kiss your goth dinner goodbye.

[@kajsan760]

That's what I was thinking too.

[@sayounsang]

@@JCRS92 “Goth” in quotations

[@screwyourhandle]

I'm writing a literal goth song about this like tomorrow

[@Donderu]

To be honest, that dinner seemed more like a prank if anything. A quirky themed dinner, where all you can feel is fear, only to later see that it would otherwise be lavish gifts and food

[@MegaKat]

It's like the ultimate troll. "Nah nah nah nah nah nah I killed all your friends" and then throw this dinner and terrify them all lol

[@preethychandran1130]

Oh you poor man!! Why would you do that to yourself?? You are so committed. Love that. Thank you! And this episode was fantastic!! The way you narrated it and your expressions! Filled with suspense. It was a great episode. Keep it up Max!

[@illustriouschin]

I would just like to take this time to thank HELLO FRESH for satisfying all of my squid ink, garum, and jellyfish needs.

[@TastingHistory]

😂

[@amysuperiore6696]

omg I would hella sign up if they did! Even just squid ink... so delicious!!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

LOL!

[@faithsrvtrip8768]

Hahahaha!

[@MossyMozart]

@@amysuperiore6696 - Mmmmm - squid ink pasta!

[@TheKingOfBeans]

I like how he gives us step-by-step instructions as if we’re going to cook it at home 😅

[@sylvirgiomanach1491]

🤣 I've made a few of the recipes he's done. Two favorites so far are hippocras and syllabub. This, however, will absolutely not be added to the list.

[@MossyMozart]

@@sylvirgiomanach1491 - Do try the parmesan ice cream. It's extremely rich and cholesteral-ly, but tastes sooooooo GOOD! Once at least?

[@sylvirgiomanach1491]

@@MossyMozart that's actually on the list of things to try! 🥳 Just haven't gotten to it yet.

[@wxlurker]

@@sylvirgiomanach1491 I agree 😂however if you are looking for a jellyfish recipe, sesame jellyfish salad is a easy and yummy one.

[@SamBarge1]

I would give this a try without the cuttlefish ink and the jellyfish topper. So, I guess what I'm saying is I'd try a fish frittata.

[@arlenefried2008]

As this is October, and the Sabbat of Samhain is at the end of this month, this story was absolutely perfect. The fact everyone ate in silence reminded me of what is known as a Dumb Supper where no one speaks as we are communing with our dead.

[@buffster948]

Well, that sorts my Halloween theme for this year. :D Thanks Max! Think I'll skip this particular dish based on that review, but using cuttlefish ink and charcoal to blacken the dishes sounds fun. If anyone has other ideas for my meal plan please reply below! I'm currently thinking: Drinks: Elderberry/ juniper berry/ blackberry cordial with tonic water and/or gin. Champagne cocktails coloured with the same cordial options. Starter: caviar on charcoal crackers (or just with black spoons and the back of our hands) Main: squid ink pasta with squid ink egg sauce, indigo tomatoes and charcoal cheese, served with a Dark Roden lettuce salad in balsamic and black pepper dressing. Dessert: dark chocolate and black treacle cake with blackberry compote Followed by coffee and dark chocolate mints.

[@Rachel-fi4sc]

Be VERY careful putting charcoal in food, and do NOT give it to anyone on any kind of medication. It doesn't differentiate between poisons and prescriptions and will absorb the lot, which can majorly fuck with you.

[@Vanni-Bear]

Be careful of adding charcoal to dishes you serve to others (at least, without telling them it's in there first) It can negate a lot of medicines and cause problems (its used to pump stomachs after all, to neutralize toxins/poisons/chemicals)

[@judetwee]

That looks like a lot of fun! (as a note if you're serving others, activated charcoal will bind with medications when ingested, leading to decreased effectiveness, so make sure any guests are aware of this)

[@buffster948]

@@judetwee That's a really important point, thank you! One of my guests has to take a lot of medications so I'll serve an alternative to the charcoal crackers. I was thinking about using liquorice powder in the dish somehow, but I don't think that would work with caviar!! Although they do serve salted liquorice in the Nordic countries...it is definitely an acquired taste! 😆

[@SanguiphiliaTV]

There is black cocoa powder you can use for the cake! Also black sesame oil so you don't have to double up on the squid ink for the pasta sauce.

[@Rinihime]

Poor Max going through the five stages of grief as he eats the jellyfish. 🤣

[@MossyMozart]

@Sentralia - .^_^.

[@ilakya]

For me, I'm from Thailand. This is just a jellyfish steamed egg. Pretty common dish and ingredients including the jellyfish but not a common combination. Steam eggs usually filled with minced pork and shallots or onion. With Thai fish sauce and about 1/2 water to the amount of eggs. Steam. And you get a pudding-like texture but a very savory egg in the very umami soup. Then the jellyfish we usually use in noodles or spicy salad (Yum). Best combination with a strong sour and spicy taste because it has no taste but an interesting texture.

[@jillnusbaum8286]

The Tentacruel in the background is such a nice touch. This may be the best Pokémon placement so far!

[@shaunacorrigan9372]

This sounds like the best Halloween party EVER!

[@TastingHistory]

Too scary for me

[@JackSilver1410]

I'd be down for it. I'd totally throw a Halloween party like that. Maybe cut down on the gravestones of solid silver and the.... nude children... but otherwise!

[@Colddirector]

Honestly it’d be kinda metal without the nude children and the constantly fearing for your life lol.

[@jennyponix5366]

Oh Max, I felt your discomfort. I could see it all over you and then when you said “texture” lost it. As someone who’s very sensitive to food textures; I relate. Thank you so much for what you do. You are my favorite channel! I love the way you present your content. Disney truly lost a star when they lost you! Much love to you and Jose!

[@irisillychno6189]

My husband is a college prof, and he loves the ocean with all of his heart. I've often had silly, lighthearted debates with him about if jellyfish are animals or not, and as you started to bring up he jokingly told me to not start arguing with him again. We both had a good laugh, and he thought the ancient agreement to say they were a combination of land, sea, and air was very fair. Loved the video, and loved the idea of this dish!

[@ursleiter5611]

So it's basically a case of "If this debate has been around for 2000 years, there's probably no right answer"?^^ Similarly to that notion on that babylonian clay shard.

[@alisaurus4224]

The Portuguese for jellyfish translates directly as “living water” and i think that’s about right

[@bricknolty5478]

@@ursleiter5611 what shard?

[@satanmitdengeilenbarthaaren]

You loved the idea of the dish?.... Your poor husband will live in fear now forever 😂

[@ursleiter5611]

@@bricknolty5478 Ahh, sorry, that was out of context. Some Professor a few decades ago mentioned a shard off some babylonian vase that read something along the lines of 'todays youth is lazy and corrupt and will never manage to uphold our values in the future'. Aka, it's apparently been going downhill for a looong time and maybe we should just accept these disputes.

[@ellenlamar7756]

Would love if you can do a story of Stollen! It’s a German bread served at Christmas. My father in law was from Germany and made it every year. He made it weeks before Christmas and let it sit under their sofa until Christmas morning. I didn’t care for it - it was very dry and caked with powdered sugar- but I had to pretend to like it since his family made a big production of serving it. He kept the recipe a secret, only one daughter was taught how to make it. Maybe you can find a version that is more palatable! I was saved from it one year because their dog got to it first! Not sure what the history of it is - if it’s really only served at Christmas. Love the your videos! I find them very interesting.

[@OriginalCaliKitty]

There are some commercially available stollens that are delicious. One of my aunts in Michigan used to buy one every year at a bakery in Frankenmuth (MI) for Christmas. Maybe they would share their recipe? (She was a wonderful baker herself, but of Czech pastries).

[@lukasbocker6740]

Sounds like he won the competition on who has the best decoration for a halloween dinner.

[@pigmentpeddler5811]

Balls

[@joycemchristiansen6557]

Now this episode was just creepy. Are you preparing us for Halloween or something, Max???

[@morganalori]

It is October 😊

[@rust3152]

@@morganalori not true

[@clouddd8053]

@@rust3152 boy do I have some news for you

[@rust3152]

@@clouddd8053 october isnt real it's Halloween

[@stormtrooper7177]

No he's preparing to invite us to a Roman banquet...

[@dmen89]

You could say that Domitianus was the gothiest emperor throwing the best Halloween banquet ever

[@annastevens1526]

Yeah, I do wonder how much was his just having a really macabre sense of humour, and having the power to indulge it without consequence (at least until after his death)...? 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@TheMeloettaful]

I was just thinking how awesome this would have been for a Halloween themed banquet with everyone in costumes, including personalized tomb/grave stone party favors! But minus the threat of death lol 😂💀!

[@DBZHGWgamer]

@@TheMeloettaful the threat of death was the best part.

[@TheMeloettaful]

@@DBZHGWgamer definitely would have given the guests an adrenaline rush of sorts lol 😂!

[@Jarastlad]

Domitian was hit by something called : Damnatio Memoriae or damnation of the memory. It's something that has been used a but through history and is quite an interesting concept ! Thanks for the episode Max and keep it up, it's always really interesting to watch the things you cook ! (even when it's jellyfish ^^)

[@daphne8406]

You told the story of the black banquet wonderfully ☺️ It was truly spooky story time vibes and I kept expecting them to all die (similar to what the guests were also thinking I’m sure 😅) I have had black risotto before (with squid ink) and it was tasty but quite salty 🤔 Jellyfish….never occured to me that they even could be eaten tbh! 😂 Thank you for showing us this dish and for also trying it! ❤️

[@stuart1370]

"Once you pop, you can't stop" 😂 Even when describing horrific events, you make it entertaining. Love every episode, Max.

[@Lantispitfire]

We used that line when talking about Macbeth in English class!

[@ClassyCountryGirl630]

He DOES have way with words! Lol

[@NotMyGoogleID]

Speaking of black foods, I think doing an episode on Patjuk(Korean) or Shiruko(Japanese) around the winter solstice (when they are usually eaten) would be interesting. I think the Japanese one would be easier to find historic recipe, but Korean one has a backstory about warding off and banishing evil spirits, and a guy getting his wife stolen by a plague god

[@miaouew]

I know you have been making vids for awhile now but I am very glad you decided to start a youtube channel and it became a success. Not my type of normal viewing at all since I'm not super into cooking or food related info, but you are definitely my favorite presenter on youtube including those who cover topics I actually like. I can always count on your videos being relaxing and fun to watch but above all else genuinely somehow very comforting which is something I don't get very often from anything these days.

[@IMeMineWho]

Agreed. Average cook but watching Max is both comfort and adventure!

[@SanguiphiliaTV]

I've never heard of this before, it sounds like something straight out of Game of Thrones. I love the sinister goth vibes to it. Also it's so sweet how positive you try to be and simply said "It's not a texture that I like." My husband always said I should phrase things nicer, so I think he would appreciate how you describe things lol.

[@kc_143]

Red Wedding scene in GOT is based on this

[@OmyDolphin]

This man could read me the yellow pages book and show me how to make a cup of ice and I would still listen in awe. Damn Prince Charming, charmed my heart with food and history.

[@WolfysEyes]

Let me among those to say that, whatever journey you were going through in choking this dish down, we were right there along with you for the textural ride; your face said more than anything you could have described.

[@Eldagusto]

Curious about the jellyfish, I loved the goofy texture when I’ve eaten it, cold jellyfish salad at Chinese restaurants, but it was weak enough to chew up , this sounds tougher.

[@bptoche1]

The Emperor's New Groove reference at 8:25 is GOLDEN.

[@A.Clifton]

Having eaten my share of jellyfish salad, his reaction to the texture had my cackling.

[@egregius9314]

I was wondering if his preparation was at fault, but that kind of texture is uhm... accurate?

[@gutschke]

I suspect that the dish could actually have been quite edible, it the jelly fish hadn't been baked with the rest of the food. Adding it afterwards or maybe just briefly warming it up should have resulted in a more pleasant texture, and it probably would also look prettier. The fact that the jelly fish "melted" is a bit disturbing.

[@SpookySkellyman]

Your storytelling of the Black Banquet was absolutely wonderful.

[@lasagnasux4934]

I could go with a "historical horror as told by max" series.

[@megansmith9313]

"A compound of Land, Sea & Air" the Fire can be the way they feel when they sting so could be the Avatar lol. 4:27

[@AsAventurasdeGui]

“This close 🤏🏼 to being an avatar" 😂😂😂 that got me by surprise

[@TheWilkReport]

Cut up as it is, the jellyfish looks like an earthworm, which I'm sure was the desired effect. The meal is, after all, intended for the dead, and worms feast upon the dead. The dish may have represented the black earth to which we all shall someday return to help fertilize. Quite gruesome, and if the emperor wanted to make a point therewith, he certainly accomplished his task.

[@davidgraham2673]

Im pretty sure that those were the tentacles that hang from the bell portion. He mentioned that if he had the bell it would have floated on top of the mixture.

[@TXH11]

you should try jellyfish heads(they are not heads more like mouths). you may find them in Chinese supermarkets. They are rare though. And don't get the dried ones. You want them in salt water. The texture is very crunchy not chewy at all. We put black vinegar and sesame oil for seasoning and pair them with cucumber. you may also want to soak jellyfish heads in water before seasoning so they won't be too salty.

[@LashknifeTalon]

The soaking is super important; typically the stuff you find at supermarkets is brined; and there is a LOT of salt in there. Usually after I debrine jellyfish there's a thick coating of salt on my dishes.

[@willywonka3050]

There's also the pre-soaked variety which comes packaged with oil and dressing. I'm pretty sure it's sold online too because it's not refrigerated.

[@MossyMozart]

@TXH11 - Reading your post is giving my stomach flip-flops!

[@Chris98203]

I enjoy a nice jellyfish salad now and again, but they definitely benefit from a bit of sesame and chili oil.

[@AngelaGWillis]

I have never had jellyfish, but I was thinking that cooking them the way that Max did would have made them tough. Are they usually cooked or eaten raw?

[@dasdiesel3000]

Omg Max lmao your face after eating it had me rolling, and you muscling through it like a professional was impressive also. Well done. At least most of your dishes turn out much better, and now you have a fresh memory of "bad food" to help you enjoy the finer things even more

[@santiagosobrino3524]

Dear Max Miller I've been following you since the cheese episode. Talking about black-painted dishes there's a pretty old and maya influenced dish from Yucatán peninsula which is a pitch black carbon broth called Relleno Negro. I have an old description of a recipe from the 30s and a more modern version from the 70s but this dish is incredibly old because the use of carbonized chilli comes from prehispanic times. I hope you read this and thank you for inspiring me to keep cooking.

[@slav1467]

Nice video! One thing that I'd definitely love to see sometime is a historical take on a Passover dinner.

[@Ephesians5-14]

I second this!!

[@RazorO2Productions]

I third this!

[@sarahwatts7152]

Fourth'd!

[@GoodForYou4504]

Oh.. fifthed! Lmao. That will be an interesting episode. Lot of food and history with this subject.

[@trinathebookworm8977]

Yes please.

[@jocax188723]

Jellyfish is actually a pretty popular snack in east Asia. Here in Hong Kong we have it lightly brined (sometimes in seawater), cut in strips, then mixed with sesame oil, chilies, garlic, sprinkled with vinegar and eaten cold. A zingy, crunchy snack.

[@MoonBratStudio]

How do you make it crunchy? :O

[@ZonaHiranandani]

Ahh. I do miss that jellyfish dish from Hong Kong too now that I’m living in London. (Half chinese here.) i think if max cooked the jellyfish the way that a lot of east asian dishes makes it, it probably would be nicer to chew and swallow at least. 😭

[@jocax188723]

@@MoonBratStudio jellyfish has a natural crunch to it - I’d describe the texture as like eating connective tissue (which makes sense, they’re both mostly collagen) We do add stuff to the cold dish, like chopped peanuts and celery to give it more texture, though.

[@LorenzoCa]

If you have to add that many spices to something, then it's probably not good to begin with.

[@jocax188723]

@@LorenzoCa sir if you think 3 seasonings is ‘many spices’ you’re either British or delusional

[@TheMarionetteKitty]

Okay, you're describing this banquet and I'm thinking this is may be where Martin got the idea for the Red Wedding... And after I saw the final dish, I think you deserve a medal for actually eating it. And from your expressions, I think you deserve another medal for keeping it down. Tell me you had your husband try it too.

[@RaelNikolaidis]

Does anyone else get real joy from watching Max’s facial expression whenever he eats (questionable) dishes? 😂

[@stuartpounds7715]

Sometimes my favorite videos are of the foods that you don't like lol. I love a cooking show where everything isn't pretended to be delicious.

[@mzfreddie]

Thanks Max for taking one for team with this dish today!

[@LemurDreamer87]

That dinner sounds like a GREAT Halloween aesthetic.

[@rashkavar]

An unusually grim episode, both in terms of food and history. But fascinating, nonetheless. Excellent October video.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Max trying out the Jellyfish was like watching Lucy rehearse for ‘Vitameatavegemin’ in ‘I Love Lucy’. #ItsSoTastyToo

[@BarnOwl61]

Most people here on the channel won't even know " I love Lucy " getting older, are we!

[@SimuLord]

@@BarnOwl61 I Love Lucy will be in reruns for as long as televisions exist. I read somewhere that there hasn't been a day in the past something like 60 years where an episode wasn't airing on TV somewhere in the world.

[@ronfogarty3888]

I also love I love Lucy max is cool too keep up the good work

[@melenatorr]

You must love us all very much to put yourself through that tasting - thank you for that!!

[@melissabarrett9750]

The culinary and gastronomic adventures of a truly lovely man

[@k-lingon-berry]

This was a particularly fascinating episode of TS. Wish I had learned about Domitian and his black banquet in school, would certainly have spiced up Latin class.

[@danielkover7157]

Your facial expressions when you eat something questionable is one of the best parts of your show, Max. You're hilarious. 😂

[@midshipman8654]

“thats a lot of texture” so much feeling is being conveyed in so few words.

[@PleaseNThankYou]

" Thank you Max, for that MARVELOUS introduction!" -- Winifred Sanderson

[@TastingHistory]

😂 thank you. Hope you’ve seen the new one.

[@PleaseNThankYou]

@@TastingHistory Yes, me and the grandkids made popcorn and watched it on a 10" table because I couldn't figure out how the "smart" TV works. We had great fun!!

[@damealeta3541]

🤣

[@niall_sanderson]

How am I only learning about these distant relations of mine in Massachusetts just now

[@PleaseNThankYou]

@@niall_sanderson 🤣

[@aura1298]

You remind me of my son so much. The mannerisms, speech, descriptions you make when cooking/eating something new! Love it! 🥰

[@RyllenKriel]

I never imagined anyone widely eating jellyfish before. Having been stung by them and finding them dead on beaches, they certainly do not look like something I would consider food. I'm fairly open-minded as far as food goes so I guess I will try it some day. Great episode Max!

[@TheOffkilter]

Sounds like a ancient version of a cool Halloween party lol. As a avid fish lover I think I might like that dish as I am not chewy texture adverse like Max is. Good on you for braving through your discomfort and disgust for our amusement and education Max.

[@eindalton2638]

I love how you set the foreboding atmosphere for yourself, so when you actually tried the dish, you were unnerved. That kinda artistry makes this channel this good

[@mickeyedwards6244]

bro he literally pranked them.... what a psycho thats so funny lmao :D

[@ZealPropht]

You’re so brave, haha! I felt bad for you enduring that dish. You looked miserable. Thanks for taking one for the team! 😅

[@zenkakuji3776]

When I get around to making this dish, I think I'll use my Bundt pan to avoid the goopy center. Actually, I think I'll just make a dark chocolate cake in it and serve with licorice gummy worms on top instead of the jellyfish. If requested, some whipped cream with a bit of cuttlefish ink will be available to add a little bit of creepiness to the dish. Thanks for sharing this history of that unnerving dinner. It somewhat reminds me of some formal corporate dinners I've attended in which everyone was ever so cautious of the topics discussed during the event as they might have unexpected results back in the office in the future.

[@krankarvolund7771]

If I recall correctly, cuttlefish ink have a very fishy flavour, so you might want to not put it in any dessert ^^'

[@TheHothead101]

Cuttlefish ink is quite fishy. Consider instead mixing some dark berries into your cream (I don't think whipped cream would work with this) and then add some blue or green food colouring to finish off the blackness. This way you get that black-coloured cream without it tasting like food colouring.

[@lisakilmer2667]

This is adorably cute, Max. I appreciate your humor and willingness to eat odd things. Our kids, who like to forage, picked young weedy vines (probably Smilax / Greenbrier) and sauteed them with pasta, for a dish that tasted of asparagus but rapidly oxidized to black.

[@kanthink1]

😂😂😂 “a texture that I don’t care for”. Loved this one! Thanks for taking one for the team.

[@oxvendivil442]

We always had jellyfish as part of our Chinese cold cuts or the Chinese version of aperitivo/charcuterie and it is not unchewable, maybe its the preparation of steaming it in the oven rather than in a steamer but anyway it is a personal favorite and is a mainstay of southern Chinese cuisine, the texture is like a softer cartilage with a more gummy or gelatinous texture and its flavor is neutral, overall this dish would be welcome in our dinner table especially with the Tilapia and Garum/Patis which are mainstays of Filipino cuisine, oh and the cuttlefish ink adds a special touch and is always welcome.

[@ladymacbethofmtsensk]

Jellyfish with garlic and cucumber, seasoned with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sometimes chilli pepper is commonly served as an appetiser in China. It’s actually really nice when seasoned right.

[@Steff-in-a-pan]

STOP you're making me miss eating at this authentic Chinese restaurant back home with my family 😭😋. Would get conch and jellyfish as a special appetizer there every now and then.

[@knuckles6k]

While I'm watching this video, I see the Tentacruel in the background there XD subtle yet works so well for this topic and dish. Love it!

[@InsanityPlusOne]

The look of unease as he bites in to this is priceless, it's just a normal roman dinner.

[@cloudninetherapeutics7787]

A mere taste of the wobbly gobbly jellyfish is more than enough for many lifetimes. Excellent today as always, Max. You are the smile in my day.

[@gailtempleton1249]

Oh Max! You were so brave! I can't imagine eating that! It looked like gloopy ashes (which makes sense given the story of Domitian!). Ugh! Nasty. But the history was fascinating as always! Thank you for your sacrifice!!

[@greenpeach20]

I had Jellyfish once at a Chinese restaurant calls Yu's Mandarin. It was on the section of the menu that's almost entirely in Mandarin and I was really curious. Flavor wise, it tasted like bell pepper and cucumber since that's what it was mixed with. Texture wise, it was like chewing on a rubber band. Very odd and on its own completely flavorless. I say if you ever see it on a menu at a really nice Chinese restaurant with chefs that know what they're doing, give it a shot just to say you've tried it, otherwise I can't picture 'Wanting' it. I'm sure there are some who love it, I'm just not one of them.

[@themobile6845]

Yes, I had the same at a Chinese New year dinner in Kuala Lumpur! My Chinese host and friend said it was in the special dish 'for the texture' !

[@mjlim6610]

I'm one of those who loves Chinese-style jellyfish salad and will happily eat it if I saw it at the table (I can never find it on the menu to order it, strangely enough).

[@iCrazy13]

I grew up eating this at special occasions and honestly I associate it most with the taste of sesame oil 😅

[@krystalcluck4282]

The journey your face goes through with this dish! Max, we love you so much!

[@Squatch-sj3vg]

Tentacruel was my favorite Pokemon when I was a kid! Perfect pick for the video Max, btw my favorite Pokemon card art is the original base set Charmander, it's just such a cool piece of art

[@purplealice]

Jellyfish are commonly eaten as banquet food in Chinese cuisine. I ate them once at a high-class Chinese wedding banquet, and it was highly spiced and served with cellophane noodles (which look like the jellyfish tendrils), and it didn't taste anything like fish.

[@garywait3231]

I had to chuckle at Apicius's quip about the guests' not knowing what they were eating. When entertaining to dinner, I often served as the fish course, a seafood stew which included octopus. This was cut in crosswise pieces, so that the tentacles looked like scallops. The dish was universally praised, until once I made the mistake of revealing the full list of ingredients to a friend. Fortunately, our friendship survived the incident; but I never made that mistake again!

[@adriennefloreen]

What did they flip out over, the octopus? Someone flipped out on me like that over soup with beef tripe. They thought it was some kind of seafood like octopus and got disgusted by the concept of "cow's stomach parts," although the person ate beef and octopus that was somehow too much for them.

[@krankarvolund7771]

@@adriennefloreen What? But beef's stomach is delicious XD Well, I usually prefer pig's stomach, in France there's a traditional sausage made with pig's stomach, it's really good ^^

[@adriennefloreen]

@@krankarvolund7771 I'm sure all parts of the animals are ground up within American hot dogs. But many Americans I know think that eating animal parts that are not the meat is weird or gross if they are served themselves not blended up in a hot dog. I usually get Menudo at Mexican restaurants and Pho with beef tripe at Vietnamese restaurants and numerous people have been surprised or shocked by even seeing it. In the USA it's basically illegal to make Haggis in the traditional way so many people don't know what it is. Numerous times, when that word comes up in a video, I have tried to explain what Haggis is and, of course, grossed people out. Even "chicken livers and onions" or the same with beef is literally too freaky for many people, but those are both normal ways to cook liver in the USA if you aren't grossed out by it.

[@krankarvolund7771]

@@adriennefloreen Yeah, hot-dogs contain all sorts of things like mechanically spearated meat, which is alll the the meat that stay on bones that is separated and pureed ^^ I don't like plain liver, but I love liver pâté, a paste made with liver and eaten on bread :D I think I had haggis once, it was quite good, honestly, even if I was grossed out at first ^^

[@hollieolson9422]

Too bad, octopus is delicious

[@francescaalvarez4376]

Your face tasting it was so hilarious. I give you props for trying it. You brave. That's true commitment.

[@K3nji_S]

Intentionally picking Tentacruel as the pokemon for this episode is the cherry on top❤

[@timmccarthy872]

My favorite part of the black dinner is when Domition went "It"'s Domishin' Time!"

[@DianeGraft]

I've heard jellyfish salad referred to as "rubber band salad". I had a chance to try jellyfish once, and I agree. Eating it was like trying to chew a mouthful of rubber bands. I'll leave the jellyfish for the sea turtles, thanks.

[@thedayidied]

The fact that you have a Tentacruel in the background during an episode about a jellyfish dish is just *chef's kiss*.

[@TheAmbientMage]

A solid black, ultra gothic banquet specifically designed to terrorize politicians? I think I like this guy.

[@willywonka3050]

Growing up in China, jellyfish salad was always one of my favorite appetizers - I ate it specifically for the texture, the chewier the better!

[@jennyteaganballejo733]

I enjoy when you try a dish and you love it cause your eyes do this thing that imparts the joy your experiencing in tasting it. I absolutely love when you try a dish and don't enjoy it cause your whole face goes through a plethora of conflicting emotions that imparts how much you really don't enjoy it.

[@redcrest5]

Jellyfish as the Avatar - love it! 😂🪼

[@levicoffman5146]

This is the only cooking show where the chef can gag on their own cooking and I’m like, “I’d like to try that.”