When someone says “donkey burger,” you might picture a tasty patty dripping with a savory sauce, like Guy Fieri’s famous Donkey Sauce, a mix of garlic, mayo, and mustard. On the other hand, a donkey burger could mean very different things in different parts of the world.
If you’re in Michigan, it might take you to well-known places like Brayz Hamburgers in Hazel Park or Dancing Donkey Burgers in Traverse City. But in China, a “donkey burger” could mean a sandwich made with donkey meat, which has been a treat for a long time in the north of the country.
How Donkey Meat Got Its Start In China
People in northern China have eaten donkey meat for hundreds of years. One story says it became famous in the 18th century when it was said to have been given to the Qianlong Emperor.
But another idea is that donkey meat became popular after the trains were built in Hebei province and donkeys were no longer needed for hauling. People started eating animals instead because they were no longer useful.
The official story supported by the Chinese government says that the rise in donkey meat consumption began when the People’s Republic of China was formed in 1949.
Many people in the working class and on farms liked donkey meat because it was cheap, kept well, and a good source of energy.
A Story of Two Cities: Baoding vs. Hejian
Hejian and Baoding are two cities in China’s Hebei province famous for their donkey burgers. Each city says it is the home of the dish, but it serves it in slightly different ways.
The bread used for donkey burgers in Hejian is oblong and served cold, while in Baoding, the bread is round and served warm.
These sandwiches are not “burgers” in the usual Western sense, even though they have that word in the name. There is no ground meat product on this donkey meat sandwich. Instead, the meat is stewed, cut, and put into a bread pocket.
Andrew Zimmern, a famous food critic, once said the meat was lean and beefy, with a texture like lamb. Chiles and cilantro are often used to season it. Because of this, it tastes very different from burgers you’d get at a bar.
In The U.S., Donkeys Are Not Eaten
People in the U.S. don’t usually eat donkey meat. People may think this way because donkeys are more closely connected to horses, which are kept as pets instead of being used for food.
Even though donkey dressage isn’t a very popular sport, many Americans think it’s wrong to eat an animal often kept as a pet or used for work.
Legal problems also get in the way. When it was found that Amazon was selling vitamins with donkey meat in them, the state of California banned them because selling meat from animals is illegal.
People in many places in the U.S. may not be able to eat horse or donkey meat, but people in Europe and other parts of the world do.
Donkey Delicacies Around the World
China isn’t the only place that likes donkeys. Many other countries have popular dishes that use meat. In Verona, Italy, egg noodles are eaten with ragu de Musso, a sauce made from donkey meat. The dish is cooked slowly, which lets the meat and pasta taste mix in a hearty and comfortable way.
Padua is another city in Italy. There is a hotel called La Posa degli Agri where people can try donkey tartare, raw, seasoned donkey meat served like beef tartare. Stracotto d’asino is another food that Italians like. It’s made by braising donkey meat in red wine until it gets soft and flavorful.
In France, across the border, you can find saucisson d’âne and donkey sausage. It’s a unique take on the traditional French sausage. The same thing can be said about kobasica, a sausage made from various foods, including donkeys.
Some foods, like donkey milk, are now eaten worldwide. Even donkey milk cheese costs more than any other cheese in the world. This high-end item shows how versatile horses are, showing that they can be used for more than just transportation or company.
Donkey Meat Is Good For Your Health
If you’re unsure about trying donkey meat, think about how good it is for you. Even though donkey meat is leaner than beef, it still has about the same amount of nutrients. It also has a lot of calcium and iron, so it’s a healthy choice for people who want to eat something different.
People in northern China often eat donkey meat to gain more energy or recover from illness because it is thought to have healing qualities. Because it is low in fat and high in protein, it is a healthy alternative to other red meats.
What’s Next For Donkey Burgers?
Even though donkey meat isn’t very common outside of a few areas, some Chinese business owners want to share their beloved donkey burgers with the rest of the world.
As people become more interested in strange and unusual foods, donkey burgers might one day be sold in more restaurants and shops around the world.
If you’ve never eaten donkey meat before, the thought of it might seem strange at first. However, these meals’ health benefits and cultural background make them worth considering. Donkey burgers could be the next big thing in food, and it could happen right around the corner.
Don’t say no too quickly the next time someone offers you a donkey burger. You could be in for a tasty surprise in Michigan, China, or Italy!
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