Ep 10. Survival Special

In Bizarre Foods Season 4 Episode 10, titled "Survival Special," host Andrew Zimmern takes viewers on a journey through some of the world's most remote and rugged terrains. The episode focuses on food that sustains people living in harsh conditions, from Arctic regions to the depths of the Amazon rainforest.

Zimmern starts his journey by visiting the Inuit people living in the Canadian Arctic. He tries traditional Inuit dishes like raw seal meat and blubber, which he describes as "clean and fresh, like sashimi." He also samples a local delicacy called igunaq, which is made by fermenting fish until it becomes completely rotten. Despite its incredible stench, Zimmern finds the taste of igunaq surprisingly enjoyable.

Next, Zimmern heads down to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, where he learns how to hunt with a blowgun and tries a variety of jungle creatures. He samples capybara, the largest rodent in the world, and piranha, cooked over an open fire. He also tries the notorious suri, a type of beetle larvae that is eaten live, twitching and squirting juice in the mouth.

From the Amazon, Zimmern heads to the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, where he joins a group of survivalists on a four-day trek. He learns how to catch and cook rattlesnakes, and eats prickly pear cactus, which is full of water and nutrients. He also tries a barrel cactus, which is known to be rich in sugar and provides a much needed energy boost.

The final leg of Zimmern's journey takes him to the high mountains of South America, where he samples llama jerky and guinea pig. He also tries a potato-like tuber called oca, which grows at high altitudes and is a staple food for Andean people.

Throughout the episode, Zimmern emphasizes the importance of respecting the traditional foods of indigenous people and understanding the context in which they are eaten. He also acknowledges the fact that many of the foods he tries are not for everyone, and that they require an acquired taste.

In all, "Survival Special" is an adventure-packed episode that showcases the amazing resilience and resourcefulness of people living in some of the harshest environments on the planet. It is a testament to the incredible variety of foods available in the world, and how different cultures have found ways to make the most of their natural resources.