There’s so much to love about jerky: it’s easy to carry on hikes, it’s full of protein, and often it’s quite delicious, but that doesn’t mean anything and everything that can be dried and salted should be. Because no matter how much you love the stuff, there’s something inherently strange about earthworm jerky, a very real product we swear you can actually buy.

We first learned about this unusual snack at Boing Boing, and it comes from Newport Jerky Company out of Rhode Island, which specializes in “gourmet exotic jerky and delicious specialty items.” Made in Thailand and grilled with a spicy marinade, they’re not trying to sell you a bunch of genetically-modified dirt snakes, because theirs has no artificial flavoring or colors, and it’s boiled and dehydrated instead of being fried. Uh…..that’s…..good? Maybe?

You can order a package through Amazon or Walmart for around $14, or through the Newport Jerky Company for $10. Of course, if you aren’t ready to bite on some earthworms, they also have plenty of other types to lure you in. Like maybe you’d enjoy some camel jerky, that is if you can get over the hump of eating camel. Or how about emu jerky? You can chow down on it while listening to Dashboard Confessional. (Think about it….oh, wait no, don’t. That joke was terrible.)

So yeah, earthworm jerky is a real thing you can buy. Whether you’ll eat it or not probably depends on how much you actually love jerky.

Would you eat this? What’s the strangest jerky they sell? Take a bite out of our comments with your thoughts.

Images: Newport Jerky Company

Stories to worm their way into your heart…

• This worm’s slimy grabber organ is gross and amazing.
• Earthworms in the Amazon are four feet long and gurgle.
• Watch a giant snail eat a worm whole, if you dare.