Why We Eat Lion, and Other Exotic Meats
Lion Steak courtesy Dave ArnoldWhy do people seek out lions, bears, and other exotic eatables? An enthusiast tells why, and how In the November issue, we looked at how scientists are using DNA analysis to track down endangered species that are being hunted for food. Here, Dave Arnold talks about why some people prefer exotic meats. For the most part, Americans are obsessed with tenderness, and favor mild-flavored meat. We eat a fairly small number of animals, almost all of them slaughtered young, when their meat is at its least flavorful. Fortunately, some of us are starting to realize that meat can be much more interesting. As the food revolution continues to gain traction, our ancestral lust for robust, unusual meats is starting to spark and reawaken. America was once the premier place to eat strange animals. We were world-renowned for the quantity, quality, and variety of our game. We...