Org. wants to ban dog / cat meat in China

This story has been popping up in the press here recently, the Chinese Animal Protection Network (CAPN) is lobbying to outlaw dog and cat meat in mainland China.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a very strong argument from them about exactly why dog and cat meat should be banned. They fail to answer why these animals shouldn't be eaten, while pigs and cows can, etc. etc. I know I've beaten down this topic a bit much, but these people are sure going to a lot of effort -- for what reason? -- and I'm still hoping to see a good argument.

This comes at the same time that PETA is making moves to voice their views in China. I should add, I'm completely in favor of the fundamentals -- ethical treatment of animals -- but don't always understand their tactics or philosophical inconsistencies.

Alas, bring on the hate mail...

Devil's Picnic

Just finished reading the book "The Devil's Picnic" by Taras Grescoe. The author travels the world in search of illicit and illegal food and drink. He enters Singapore with a bag full of outlawed chewing gum, he hunts down real moonshine absinthe in Switzerland, and chews coca leaves in Bolivia. The book has a solid examination of the history of prohibition, and how some current laws work in some societies, but not in others. It's all a fun read, at least until the last chapter, on legal euthanasia, which is downright disturbing.



There's also some weird meat in there -- hunting for criadillas (bull's balls) in Barcelona, in an EU-regulated Spain, and how to smuggle stinky raw milk cheeses into North America. Does the European Union mean no more weird meat in future Europe? What do you think about the EU's regulations on food and beverage? Comment below...

Illegal Foods

We're really big fans of the spicy-numb flavors of Sichuan food. Back in California, we used to cook with lots of "Sichuan peppercorns," which are actually a citrus flower, it turns out. They were illegal because, like a lot of illegal things, they're good for you. Seriously, the FDA worried imports of these might carry a citrus disease. But, we were addicted to the "ma" flavor, so we hunted all over Chinatown for some contraband peppercorns. Every shop said "no, they're illegal." Then we found one shop owner that winked and filled a brown paper sack full for us.



We once nearly overdosed on Sichuan peppercorns. They have a numbing effect that, if overindulged on, can actually relax the throat enough to disrupt your gag reflex. At least that's what almost happened to us.

Anyway, I'm told they are legal now in the States, as long as they're heat-processed, which is a good thing because the Sichuan food we've had in the States so far has been really lame. Maybe it will improve now.

I once took part in an "illegal foods potluck" many years ago. We had raw French cheeses that are against the law to import to the States. We had absinthe, desserts made with marijuana, and Cuban cigars.

Speaking of illegal food, Phoenix New Times (Arizona) wrote this amazing article about this crazy chef who hunts and cooks penguins and other animals he's not really supposed to. Some of his claims seem a bit far-fetched, no? The article linked to us, so we'll link to them.

Check back soon for our next penis adventure, some raw sheep's heart, and how we ate rats -- by necessity!

Leave a comment and tell us if you've ever eaten an illegal food.