Linda Frandsen

Klepon, also known as Onde-onde or Buah Melaka, is a traditional Southeast Asian confection made from glutinous rice flour filled with palm sugar and coated in grated coconut.

Indonesian cobras are used in a variety of ways, including as extreme culinary delights in cobra satay (skewers) and for medicinal products like cobra oil and balm. While some cultural beliefs suggest consumption boosts strength and immunity, research has found health risks like sparganosis from consuming cobra meat. Cobras are also harvested for their skins and are sometimes used by police for crowd control, though this is a lesser-known application.
Culinary Uses
Cobra Satay: Cobra meat is grilled and served as skewers, often with sweet soy sauce. It is a local and extreme culinary practice, particularly in villages and big cities, with some consuming it for believed medicinal benefits.
Blood and Bile: The blood and bile of cobras are also consumed, believed by some to enhance physical strength and immunity.
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
Cobra Oil and Balm: Cobra oil, a key ingredient in some cobra balms, is used to treat various skin problems, including allergies, acne, and wounds.
Sparganosis Risk: Despite traditional beliefs about health benefits, consuming Javanese cobra meat poses a risk of sparganosis, a parasitic disease transmitted by tapeworms found in the snake's flesh.
Other Uses
Skin Trade: Cobras are harvested for their skins, which are used in international trade.
Crowd Control: In at least one instance, cobra snakes have been employed by police for crowd control measures.Read more