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Have you ever had the opportunity to taste beaver meat? Well, if not, the short answer is that this wild animal is often eaten in southern America. Those who hunt beaver consider the meat to be delicious and a lot of fanciers consider it a delicacy.
Just in case you are wondering, the tail of the beaver animal and the fried Canadian pastry called “Beaver Tail” should not be confused with each other!
Although the dough-like pastry looks very much like a real beaver’s tail, it tastes nothing alike. Naturally, one is a pastry and the other is an animal product.
More About the Pastry
This pastry originated in Ottawa, Canada, and is a popular food in Canadian cuisine. It is often enjoyed with chocolate syrup or sugar glaze or powdered sugar, and a plethora of other yummy options, much like the donuts.
What Does Real Beaver’s Tail Taste Like?
If you have never had beaver tail or beaver meat, you might be wondering what that tastes like. It’s understandable that not many people can tell you because this product is not common in markets or restaurants. Unless you enjoy hunting, it’s going to be very hard to get your hands on a beaver tail.
Interestingly, back in the day, the Catholic Church once declared beavers as fish. They do taste quite fishy but they are, in fact, rodents, not fish. But the church argued that since they lived in water so much, they might as well be fish!
As to what beaver meat tastes like, it is said to have a very tough and chewy texture. Some even compare it to bear meat. Or the meat of a squirrel. Beaver meat’s appearance is red and it’s packed with protein. In that sense, it can also be compared to rabbit meat.
It tastes unusual, partly like game meat and partly like fish. It has a lot of fat on it, so it tastes pretty oily and fatty as well.
This meat is often turned into jerky or pies. People also grill the meat for a simple meal. Another popular way to prepare the meat is to make a stew.
How to Cook Beaver’s Tail
There are different ways to cook and enjoy a beaver’s tail. The method depends entirely upon you and how you would prefer it. If you want a more charred and meaty taste, then go ahead and grill it or simply throw it on some coals.
You will slowly notice that at some point the tail curls upwards like a scorpion’s, and the skin would begin to cook and char. Turn it on the other side and let it cook thoroughly too.
Once it’s cooked, slice the tail down the middle and scoop the gooey bit with some bread. You can also scrape off the charred bits and the skin and then put these bits in boiling water with some light seasoning and let it cook for an hour. Allow it to cool before serving it with some biscuits.
The meat should be soft and buttery, creamy and rich. When prepared correctly, it should almost melt in your mouth.
Can You Eat Beaver Tail?
If you’re adventurous and want to try new cuisine and food, then you can give it a try. You may even love it. But it should be noted that it may not be considered a delicacy by everyone. We all have different tastes, after all.
While the meat is something unusual, it should not become a regular thing. The meat is incredibly rich in protein and fat which could, in the long term, lead to adverse health conditions.
Final Thoughts
While eating a beaver may sound odd or even unheard of, it surely isn’t anything strange in South America. That being said, if you have never tried it before and would like to do so, it’s entirely possible and safe to do so now and again. Just make sure that hunting and consuming beaver meat is legal in your area – you don’t want to be arrested for poaching!
Trying out beaver tail and beaver meat can be an adventurous experience. Especially if you hunt them on your own. Even if you are not a fan of the taste, the fun you have trying something new will definitely count towards a good experience.