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Exotic Meat

It tastes like chicken" is one of the most popular cliché-type phrases used, abused and misused when someone tries to describe a non traditional, unfamiliar piece of meat such as alligator, snake or crocodile to someone who has never tasted it, yet according to several people that I've spoken to who have actually tasted reptile meat, these creepy crawlers really do taste like chicken. But how would one describe the taste of Fox, Black Bear and Llama? How "exotic" are you willing to go when it comes to trying different types of meats; Would you order Lion, Porcupine, Bat or Hyena if it was on the menu? A veritable buffet of Moose Jerky, Yak patties, grilled Snake kabobs; Caribou Tenderloin and Kangaroo Steak are just some of the weird foods being featured in restaurants and supermarkets around the world.

A developing culinary movement and palate-changing experience sweeping the meat industry is the marketing of exotic meats. Even if you are already an avid carnivore, you may be surprised when you walk into a local eatery and find animals normally found at the zoo and in the jungle featured on the menu, available for purchase on line or for sale at your neighborhood grocers, gourmet or specialty butcher shops. In the past, most exotic meats were not part of American culture and cuisine but gone are the days when cows, pigs, chickens and turkeys were the only sources for meat.

From appetizers to entrees, exotic meats have become all the rage around the world, not only for their rich flavor but also as healthy alternatives to traditional meats since most exotic meats are lower in fat, cholesterol and calories. According to Christian Griffin, founder, owner and operator of Exotic Meat Sales in San Diego, California, "In a world that is now trying to be more 'green' people are turning to a healthier food solution which is why exotic meat sales are continuing to grow exponentially. Exoticmeatsales.com has a variety of customers ranging from health conscious consumers to white tablecloth restaurants offering a twist to the average plate. Restaurants are starting to cook with exotic game as a means to draw-in a more health conscious dieter. As the world tries to become more environmentally friendly people are finding other resources for their dietary needs.

Buffalo, Elk, Wild Boar and Venison have been available for years and while they are still considered "exotic," the culinary landscape for exotic meats has changed dramatically. Armadillo meat is popular in certain parts of the U.S. and Mexico and is often used as a substitute for chicken, beef and pork. Yak meat is prevalent in Tibet, Nepal and India and also in the United States and is considered a healthy alternative to red meat. If you're visiting the Outback; Kangaroo is the meat of choice; revered for its flavor and versatility and considered to be one of the best "heart-healthy" meats on the planet. "With Kangaroo now being farmed worldwide--and shown to be a leaner meat with less fat than beef-and several once-threatened species, like the American bison and crocodile, making a comeback sufficient to find their way to restaurant menus, such meats are getting positive exposure, both in restaurants and in the media", said Jerry Hopkins, best-selling author of Strange Foods and Extreme Cuisine. "There's been an increase in interest in exotic foods generally, I think, as international travel has increased, exposing new people to new cuisines. Celebrity chefs who keep trying to top each other and the popularity of such TV shows as Tony Bourdain's helped too", said Hopkins. ...more...

Web Supermarket Gourmet

Weird Meat For Eats by Kate Mazzarella-Minshall