Guinea Pig Eating Peru

In fact an estimated 65 million guinea pigs are consumed annually in peru.

Guinea pig eating peru. In fact guinea pigs were so valuable that they could be used to barter for other items if the family didn t have any spare cash. That s a lot of guinea pig. People have compared its taste to chicken rabbit or duck. The number of cuy that a family owned was indicative of their social status.

Cultivated by the incas in the andes for centuries the guinea pig was cheaper to raise and required less room to farm than pigs and cattle. He buys about 200 organically. History of guinea pigs believe it or not guinea pigs originated in the andean region colombia ecuador bolivia and peru and were originally raised specifically for eating. In peru it s estimated that some 65 million guinea pigs are consumed each year.

This video was shot in ollantaytambo peru. Eating guinea pigs in peru was once the food of the nobles only enjoyed by the upper echelon of society. Join myself and travis as we try eating peru s delicacy guinea pig also known as cuy. A traditional food guinea pig called cuy in peru has been served whole on special occasions since inca times.

Guinea pigs are also high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol. Peruvians don t keep them as pets. Considered a delicacy and usually only meant to be eaten on special occasions. At this roadside food stand and many others like it in rural peru the house specialty is roasted guinea pig to go.

Top chefs in peru. Traditional baked guinea pig though not all visitors to peru are keen to eat it this way jaime pesaque is the owner of mayta a high end restaurant in upmarket lima. Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly and eating one is like eating your pet dog. It wasn t until the spanish came and started sending guinea pigs to europe that the furry creatures were treated as pets.

The growing popularity of guinea pig meat in high end restaurants in peru is helping to usher in the return of a traditional and environmentally friendly industry led by women. What they are is a delicious delicacy best served with potatoes and salsa. It s part of the culture of peru but could you eat this furry pet. There s even a fashion show.

Though make sure not to say call it guinea pig. But did you know in peru guinea pigs aren t bred as pets but as livestock meant to be eaten.