Why do people across the world mostly only eat a few of the same types of meat (like chicken, beef, pork) when there are thousands of other animals to choose from?
In: 667
A couple things, I think.
Some animals were especially well suited to be domesticated, historically. They were fairly docile, widespread, provided numerous things other than just meat (milk, hide, etc), could be easily reproduced, multiplied in abundance, could handle disparate climates, and tasted good.
There’s also a very real feeling that some animals are off limits as food sources/beasts of burden and others are fair game. That tends to differ amongst cultures. I mean, don’t argue with a Hindu about beef any time soon or any westerner about how dog probably tastes like chicken. But, there is a real dividing line issue.
In Newfoundland and Labrador. We eat ducks, geese, grouse,turrs, etc. Moose, caribou, rabbits, seals and whatever else the land provides. And beef, pork and chicken from Costco lol.
Cost/access is the simple answer. I live in the north part of the usa so its hard to find things like gator which is fairly common in the south east. Some people don’t like the thought of eatting not common meats. People get puppy eyes with the idea of eating dog, horse, rabbits but won’t blink at eating a steak. Some religions prohibt the consumption of certain meats so that factors in.
American interests in beef, chicken and pork were pushed HARD to the rest of the world. Advertisers infiltrate culture and convince people to support their company’s bottom line. A good example is milk, which actually weakens your bones but there is an entire sub reddit devoted to pushing dairy company propaganda
Here in the southern United States people eat all kinds of critters. Squirrels, Opossums even!
Because:
1. Domesticating animals is hard. Ranching is hard too. You need ready access to meat to eat it.
2. Most animals taste bad. If you can find some horse or bear, try it. Not good. Also, the horse is more valuable alive than dead, and bears are, well, bears.
3. Disease. Parasites. Horrible painful deaths.
They didn’t. This is a consequence of industrial farming and global economies. Typical cuisine around the world is super diverse and (not surprisingly) mostly makes use of local ingredients.
Why don’t we eat more rabbit?
Latest Answers