Talk:Geophagy

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In the southeastern United States especially tasty dirt (usually a chalky dirt with a certain flavor) is sold in local stores or sent to friends and family who are no longer living near the source of this dirt.

Is this true? Fascinating!

Are such soils available for purchase online anywhere? About how much would a sack of dirt for human consumption run? Can I perhaps order custom blends of soil if I prefer my dirt with less clay, more loam, and at least one whole earthworm in each cup of soil? Could I mix soil and milk in my blender for a tasty mudshake? Or perhaps some hot water for a good ol' cup of muddy water?

In case you were serious, you can buy clay to eat, try a search for 'bentonite clay'.

And kudos for teaching the new word, by the way. Next time someone bothers me, I'll just tell them "Oh, go geophage!" Garrett Albright 04:34, 20 Feb 2004 (UTC)

But is it true? About stores in the southeast selling particular local soil specifically for eating? After two years in the article without a citation, and after having grown up in the southeast without noticing soil-for-eating on store shelves (can't say I was looking, though), I'm starting to doubt it. Anyone have a source for this? Allen 05:46, 24 December 2005 (UTC)

No sources after over a year of discussion, so I'm taking it out. --Allen 22:10, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] North Korea?

I have read about people eating clay in North Korea, presumably because of malnutrition. Is this common during famine conditions in other places? --Reuben 21:58, 10 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Suicide Method?

In this novel geophagy is mentioned as a method for suicide. It is said, that this was common among African American slaves. Anyone know anything about this? gbrandt 11:12, 12 July 2006 (UTC)