One of the most divisive foods is horse meat.
Although few nations in the world prohibit its sale and/or consumption, many consider it taboo.
Funnily enough, it is not consumed, at least not commonly, not even in some of the world’s largest producing countries, such as the USA and Mexico.
Yet, its qualities are objectively obvious: it is a meat rich in proteins and low in fat, contains large quantities of iron (3.9 mg per 100 grams, more than any other type of meat), and is strongly recommended for pregnant women or, or for people following special diets (for example, for those suffering from anaemia, thrombosis, or high cholesterol).
So, what’s the beef? (Yeah, that’s supposed to be a pun…)
First of all, for ethical reasons. The horse is, in many areas of the globe, considered a pet. A beautiful animal. And, as Nietzsche said: morality has aesthetic standards…
Then there are also religious reasons.
Eating horse meat in the Middle Ages was considered a “pagan barbarity” that made the Christian friars who went into Northern Europe to convert those populations shudder. Today, paradoxically, two of the nations that consume the most horse meat in Europe are among those most historically linked to Christianity: Italy and Spain.
Horse meat is not “kosher”, therefore it is not consumed in Israel, nor by other observant Jewish communities in the world. And, although it is commonly considered “halal” in Islam, there is no shortage of Koran scholars who deem it contrary to the dictates of their religion.
Last consideration: the majority of people are not used to eating it. It follows that it is quite difficult to find it. And I suppose that once found, it is certainly not within everyone’s reach!
And we all know how hard it is to change the culinary habits of just one person. Let alone those of an entire population!
