Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Today's lunch special: Peruvian guinea pig?

http://filer.livinginperu.com/news/img/cui_exports.jpg450349

Anyone for a heaping helping of guinea pig?

© LIP

(LIP-jl) -- Yes, guinea pig meat may be a menu option for those living outside of Peru in the future if the Association of Peruvian Exporters (ADEX) has anything to do with it.

Guinea pigs (called cuy in Peru), originally eaten by the Incas, are commonly eaten in Peru and can even be found skinned and shrink wrapped in foam trays in supermarket meat sections.

ADEX has stated that the potential for guinea pig meat to grow outside of Peru is tremendous given its high nutritional value. Protein in guinea pig meat accounts for 20.3% in comparison to just 18% in beef.

The 2006 export figures are very small, totaling just US$56,192 with Peruvian residents in the United States accounting for the bulk of the shipments.

One of the main factors for the small export figures is that Peruvian guinea pigs breeders are very unfamiliar with exporting procedures and thus deterred from increasing their exporting potential.

ADEX hopes that the idea of eating guinea pig meat becomes more acceptable in the global community due to its high nutritional value, much like ostrich meat.

And who knows? Ten years from now, you just might be able to order a guinea pig steak or even a guinea pig sandwich from your favorite neighborhood restaurant.

I'll have mine without claws please!

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# Marita says :
2 February, 2007 [ 06:51 ]

I remember eating guinea pig when I was 16 years old, a friend of the family invited us to lunch.  When she opened the door of her house I could smell something delicious.  I said what did you cook? she said guinea pig.  She served the guinea pig in pieces with roasted potatoes, there was no sign of head, teeth, claws, little feet etc.  All I know is that it was beautiful.  I haven't had it since ....it is the way it is presented these days.  I does not look apetising the whole little animal flat on the plate.  I hope they start to present it without head,feet,etc. Regards, Marita

# AJ says :
19 November, 2007 [ 23:11 ]

It really isn't that bad.  I had some a couple years ago when I visited Peru... it had a lot of bones and the skin was pretty chewy... but it didn't really taste that bad.

# Peruvians are sick and crazy says :
7 August, 2008 [ 12:34 ]

PERUVIANS ARE FREAKING SICK!!!!!!!!! YOU'RE EATING A RAT, A VERMIN!!!! THAT'S THE NASTIEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN OR ENCOUNTERED. YOU MIGHT AS WELL EAT A TAKUACHE....

# rice and sugar says :
7 August, 2008 [ 12:50 ]

Eatinig guinea pigs is definitely not crazy. Humans are omnivores, guinea pigs are small mammals, just like rabbits or hares, etc. Unlike rats, they are clean as they eat alfalfa and other healthy herbs and grains. Guinea pigs for human consumption are grown like any other farm animal. As long as it is a clean environment, they are absolutely OK to eat. My family raised guinea pigs for consumption all the time.
They are not known to transmit or carry any diseases, as far as I know. They have been eaten for centuries in Peru, and it has always been OK. My doctor says I am healthy person. So, guinea pigs must not have harmed me after all. Those IGNORANT people who don't understand this, they can all go some place else...The only thing I complain about guinea pigs, is that they have very little meat to eat - they are small. That is why I rather a different mammal grown in a farm: cattle, pork, etc.
Fish and seafood are my favorite though. I am hungry now.
Rice and Sugar (my nickname)
Microbiologist/Geneticist (my occupation in North America)

# Phil Anderson says :
30 November, 2008 [ 19:11 ]

It's all in how and where you are raised.  I visited Thailand and had the chance to taste cat.  I compare it to rabbit meat I have eaten.  In japan I tasted horse meat but didn't like it because they ear it raw.  The Japanese won't eat rabbit because they are only pets. A hand raised guinea pig would be cleaner than free range raised chickens.  I am thinking of trying to raise some guinea pigs to butcher and cook.  I have known people from other parts of the USA that hunt and eat squirrels rabbits, dove, snakes possum and frog legs.  Guinea pigs sound better to me.  I do think I would need to cut it up for frying or  cooking it in a stew.

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