Women flock to take horse-semen shots

JONNY TALBOT

Apple-infused horse semen shots might not be an obvious chaser to spring rolls, but they are causing a stir at the Green Man Pub where they are being served.

The shots are part of the central Wellington pub's entry in the nationwide 14th annual Monteith's Beer & Wild Food Challenge.

While the rest of the meal of seared Asian duck and pork and paua spring rolls sounds delicious - it is the Hoihoi tatea, or horse semen drink which is on everyone's minds.

Green Man Pub chef, Jason Varley, said the drink was proving most popular with women.

"Ladies thought it was great  a couple were going to go home and get their husbands to eat grass," he said.

But Mr Varley added that some woman had their concerns.

"A couple of them were worried they might bear children with long faces," he joked.

Men have not been so keen on the concoction.

"The men were very stand-offish. But a few have manned-up and said it is palatable."

Mr Varley admits to trying the drink himself which he said was "ok", and "like custard".

Staff member, Carrie Henderson, said most customers appreciated the drink was a "tongue in cheek" offering.

The pub will only be serving the drink for the duration of the Beer and Wild Food Challenge, which runs for a month from June 3.

It is not the first time the drink has been served up  it has appeared on the menu at the the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival in the past.

However for restauranters, the delicacy does not come cheap, at a cost of $300 for 20 vials of semen.

While assertions have been made about the possible health benefits of drinking semen due to the possibility of boosted testosterone levels due to the DHEA hormone, Green Man co-owner Steve Drummond has not had any repeat customers for the drink.

"I don't think anyone's had a particular taste for it . . . no one's addicted to it, lets put it that way," he said.

Food Standards Manager Judy Barker said the horse semen would not pose any health issues.
 
"MAF's interest is in the safety and suitability of food. Provided the product is sourced under the regulated system, it appears this practice poses no concerns."

- © Fairfax NZ News