April 22, 2009

Lactation Station

     When browsing through the latest edition of Gastronomica, I stumbled upon an interesting find: an article about...  human breast milk tasting?!!  After stifling my initial reaction, I gathered the courage to read more; and, I guess my primordial instincts came free because I have to admit that I was rather intrigued. 

   

     The author, Charles Reeve, talks about why most Western Civilizations are disgusted by the thought of lactation.  Perhaps it's the confusion of the breast as a sexual object versus a maternal one.  Or maybe it's just the thought of bodily fluids flowing from private orifices. Regardless, milk is packed with vital nutrients like choline to stimulate a baby's growth and learning.  But I digress.... back to the tasting....
     Jess Dobkin, a controversial Canadian artist, has provided an answer.  She ingeniously set up a Breast Milk Tasting Bar, complete with six women's pasteurized breast milk to sample and Cheerios to nibble.  The display was hosted at Ontario's College of Art and Design (OCAD) in 2006, and more than 300 people attended.  "Beer critic, Jon Filson, gamely opinioned, 'Breast milk has a silky mouthfeel, leaving a slight film-but much less even than the skimmest milk from a cow.'"

     If you ever have the itch to sip on some human breast milk, a Lactation Station may be waiting just around the corner!