Many people not only freely admitted eating human flesh, but were surprised when they heard that Europeans did not eat it. Emil Torday observed: "They are not ashamed of cannibalism, and openly admit that they practise it because of their liking for human flesh", with the primary reason for cannibalism being a "gastronomic" preference for such dishes.
Many people, who freely admitted consuming human flesh, were surprised to learn that Europeans did not engage in this practice. Emil Torday observed that those who practiced cannibalism openly acknowledged their enjoyment of it as a culinary preference.