Americans Are Consuming More Guinea Pig Than Ever Before

[FarCenter]

According to a new report in NPR's The Salt, guinea pigs — a popular childhood pet — are becoming more popular as a restaurant dish in the US.

The rodents are a popular delicacy in South America, where they are known as cuyes and consumed in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. But it's finding popularity on U.S. menus thanks to an influx of expats from those countries who crave the dish, The Salt reports.

Also helping the guinea pig's case on U.S. menus — the tiny livestock is a low-carbon footprint source of meat as compared to beef, a major plus with environmentalists. And the introduction of the dish is well-timed with an explosion in America's experimental foodie culture.

Two Peruvian food importers told The Salt that they are importing more guinea pigs than ever before. The rodents are sold frozen and hairless, and usually eaten whole after being cooked, grilled, or deep fried.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/guinea-pig-dishes-on-the-rise-in-the-us-2013-4

[datasuspect]

1. cute and tasty

[Puglover]

2. It's okay.

I had it deep fried and it was too greasy. I'd try it again grilled.

[Silent3]

3. When it's served as meat, does guinea pig become guinea pork?

The other, other, other white meat?

[haikugal]

14. lol.....

[FSogol]

4. At the Catherdal of Cusco (Cusco, Peru) there is a painting of the Last Supper in which

Jesus and his Apostles are chowing down on fried guinea pig.

[haikugal]

15. How cool is that!?

Wonderful!

[snooper2]

5. Not a whole lot of meat there...

I guess they have to ask do you want the 2 guinea or 3 guinea plate


Luckily the day hasn't come yet where I have to explain that the Peppa Pig you are watching sweetie is similar to what is on your dinner plate

[Helen Reddy]

6. Oh Noooooo!

My daughter has one as a beloved pet. I will not be sharing this story with her.

[liberal_at_heart]

7. I find it kind of weird that guinea pig would be acceptable but dog or horse would not but

to each their own I guess. I'm a creature of habit and don't really like to experiment too much so I think I'll stick with cow, chicken, pork, and fish.

[Helen Reddy]

9. Likewise I'm sure. n/t

[Aerows]

10. I had a friend

that lived in Peru when her father got transferred there for a little while for a petroleum company. She went to the market and saw a guinea pig and wanted to buy it and take it home for a pet. She picked out the one she wanted, and she said the guy them promptly chopped it's head off and bagged it up for her. Miscommunication, I suppose.

They are very cute. I love when they bleat for peppers and carrots. It's just a precious little noise when they are excited to get a treat.

[Helen Reddy]

11. Miscommunication for snizzle. :/

Our guinea pig is a member of the family. We replaced her other guinea pig with a dwarf bunny, the bunny grooms the piggie and visa versa. It really is cute.

The piggies are basically blind, and could never take care of themselves in the wild.

[Dash87]

16. Omg. I wish I didn't read that. Lol

[Aerows]

17. I wish I hadn't heard it

[Aerows]

8. I'd eat guinea pig

LONG before I'd eat bugs, like someone asked earlier in the week. I've already sampled a few reptiles. What's a guinea pig if you've already tried squirrel and rabbit? But bugs? Hell no.

[Newest Reality]

12. By

pharmaceutical company standards, that's a metaphorical form of cannibalism.

[sharp_stick]

13. I tried it in Peru

and while it didn't taste bad it was more work than it was worth to eat the little buggers. Kind of like eating Cornish game hen.

[Buns_of_Fire]

18. Them's good eatin'. Tastes just like chicken.

Actually, I haven't the foggiest idea WHAT they taste like. I just became so used to hearing "Try it! It tastes just like chicken!" that I expected EVERYTHING to taste just like chicken. Imagine my surprise when I first had a dish of raspberry sherbet.

[MineralMan]

19. Cuy is Yummy!

Tastes something like rabbit.

[talkingmime]

20. Ew.

[Marrah_G]

21. yikes

I loved my guinea pig.....alive and squeaking!

[alp227]

22. For those SHOCKED by this story, would you rather they eat more factory-farmed processed shit food?