Many parts of animals are very edible but just not the norm for Americans. We are a very picky bunch of eaters when it comes to what part of the animal we eat. American's seem to think a lot of the animal is scrap meat and only want the prime cuts of beef. Tongue is actually one of the very innocuous 'parts' of the cow, much less than brains, pancreas, liver, lungs, etc. It is also one of the few parts that you actually get to see before the animal is slaughtered. Specifically when they lick their snotty noses with it.
