What's the most dangerous thing you've ever eaten? Insects? Raw chicken? It's hard to think of a "dangerous" food that isn't just "unusual." But one ice cream parlor is offering up "the most dangerous ice cream in the world" but you'll have to sign a waiver before you eat it.
The Aldwych Café and Ice-Cream Parlour has launched a new flavor of ice cream for Valentine's Day, but because of the contents of the treat, you have to legally absolve the parlor of any injuries you might incur while eating it.
So what could possibly be so dangerous in this ice cream?
The ice cream is called Respiro Del Diavolo (Breath of the Devil), and comes in at 1,569,300 SHU on the Scoville scale. For reference, this means it is 500 times spicier than Tabasco sauce. Only people over the age of 18 are allowed to try it.
Lee Bandoni, brother of cafe owner Martin, says there's actually a history behind the devilishly hot treat.
"It started in Italy," Bandoni shared. "There was a place called Devils Bridge and with that, the Italian ice cream families used to meet up once a year and discuss how the year went for them. At that point, if there were any men that showed bravery then they would eat this ice cream. So, because of the Devils Bridge, they called this the Breath of the Devil. Every year it still happens over there and this year when Martin was away earlier in the month he brought back the idea that was passed down to him. The recipe is very secret, very few of us know it and when the time is right Martin's children will get to find out about it and they will go to Italy and learn the ins and outs of it."
"We had to check with the standards agency to explain what was in it and explain that it is like a thermal nuclear explosion in your mouth," Bandoni explained. "That took a bit of time to get it sorted but they were happy as long as we included a disclaimer. Our family in Italy see it as an honor to bring something like this here."
The disclaimer mentions that consuming the ice cream "could be a risk of personal injury, illness and possible loss of life."
Lee says it's something that everyone should try for Valentine's Day.
"A lot of Italian guys go and have a romantic evening with their girlfriends or wives and they will have some of this ice-cream because it is a well-known fact that chili is an aphrodisiac and it is nice with a glass of wine bubbling in your mouth," said Lee. "People should come try it."
