When someone mentions a donkey burger, your mind might immediately go to Guy Fieri’s famous donkey sauce or perhaps a quirky burger joint in Michigan like Dancing Donkey Burgers in Traverse City or Brayz Hamburgers in Hazel Park.
However, if you’re in northern China, a donkey burger means something entirely different a sandwich made with donkey meat. This delicacy has been enjoyed for decades if not centuries.
The origins of donkey meat consumption are somewhat cloudy. One version of the story claims it began in the 18th century when the Qianlong Emperor was served donkey meat for the first time. Another account suggests that donkey meat gained popularity after the railroads arrived in Hebei Province, making donkeys obsolete for transportation.
The official Chinese government story, however, attributes the rise of donkey meat to the early years of the People’s Republic of China (founded in 1949), when it became a cheap and durable source of protein for farmers.
Two cities in Hebei Province Hejian and Baoding claim to be the birthplace of the donkey burger. In Hejian, the burgers are served cold and stuffed in rectangular bread, while Baoding serves them warmly in round bread.
Unlike Western burgers from ground beef and served on buns, Chinese donkey burgers feature stewed, shredded donkey meat, often seasoned with chiles and cilantro and stuffed inside a bread pocket.
According to Andrew Zimmern, the taste of donkey meat has been described as lean beefy, with a texture similar to lamb.
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Donkey Delicacies Around the World
While donkey meat is relatively rare in the U.S., where donkeys are viewed more as companion animals than food, it’s a widely accepted protein in other parts of the world.
In Italy, dishes like ragu de musso, a donkey meat sauce served over egg noodles, and stracotto d’asino, a red wine-braised donkey dish, are local specialties.
In France, saucisson d’âne (donkey sausage) is a popular market item, while Serbia is known for kobasica sausage made with donkey meat. Even the world’s most expensive cheese is made from donkey milk.
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Health Benefits Of Donkey Meat
While eating donkeys may initially seem off-putting, the meat is quite nutritious. It has less fat than beef but contains as much protein, making it a healthy alternative. It’s also rich in calcium and iron, two essential nutrients.
With Chinese entrepreneurs working to bring donkey burgers to a global market, this unique and flavorful meat might soon become more accessible, giving food enthusiasts worldwide a chance to try this centuries-old delicacy.