Mutterkuchen
Literally: “mother’s cake” / meaning: placenta
Just in case you are not familiar with the wonders of life, the placenta is some sort of a link between a mother and her unborn child. A temporary organ to which the umbilical cord is tied to supply the fetus with everything necessary: nutrients, oxygen, hopefully no nicotine.
The word Mutterkuchen (“mother’s cake”) generously ignores the fact that the placenta actually bears more resemblance to a steak tartare. If you think the analogy to a cake is far-fetched, note that it is present in the English (and international) term “placenta” as well—as this is simply the Latin word for “cake.” The same root is also present in German Plätzchen, meaning biscuit snacks.
Speaking of snacks, there is a strange emerging trend to prepare and eat human placentas after birth. You will find recipes for “placenta lasagne” or “placenta ragout” online. In esoteric circles, there are even veritable placenta dinner parties taking place. They call it a healthy superfood. I call it a cannibal’s wet dream.
