Are squirrels the new tofu? Apparently, the little rodents have recently earned themselves the reputation of being an ethical delicacy in the UK. "Suburban 'free-range' meat," was what TreeHugger called it, and the Guardian described it as, "The ultimate ethical meal."
We've mentioned before that the Eastern Gray Squirrel from North America has invaded Western Europe, threatening the European Red Squirrel. They've come up with a number of solutions, but the latest involves capturing them and frying them up as a substitute for more traditional meat dishes.
"A grey squirrel," the Guardian notes, "It tastes sweet, like a cross between lamb and duck. And it's selling as fast as butchers can get it."
Apparently it's selling like hot cakes, with game butchers unable to keep them in stock. I can see it... hunters bring a shipment in, and they don't even have time to freeze fully before they're scooped up!
In North America, most people are still against hunting wild animals... people have their varying opinions, and are entitled to them, but I'll just say my European roots are evidently reflected in my point of view.
Suburban Free-Range Meat
Squirrels An Ethical Meal?
Trend Themes
1. Ethical Meat - The rise of suburban free-range meat, including squirrels, presents an opportunity for ethical food producers to offer alternative and sustainable meat options.
2. Invasive Species Cuisine - The growing popularity of cooking and consuming invasive species such as grey squirrels opens up the food industry to unique culinary experiences and potential market niches.
3. Alternative Meat Sources - The demand for alternative meat sources like squirrel meat highlights the need for innovative approaches to meat production and offers opportunities for alternative protein companies.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can explore new ethical meat options, capitalize on invasive species cuisine, and develop products using alternative protein sources like squirrels.
2. Sustainable Agriculture - Sustainable agriculture can find disruptive innovation opportunities in the cultivation and commercialization of invasive species, contributing to biodiversity conservation and ethical meat production.
3. Wild Game Butchering - The wild game butchering industry has the potential to capitalize on the demand for squirrel meat by developing new processing and distribution channels, catering to the growing consumer interest.