Diminutive primate from Madagascar is latest food craze in Europe, Asia.
The ring-tailed lemur, Lemur catta, has become the most-requested food item in the world. Once a fad that started amongst safari tourists in South Africa, a lemur platter can now be found at dinner parties in Hungary, Lichtenstein, Mongolia, and dozens of countries around the world.
Lemon-roasted lemur accounts for over 80 percent of lemur dinners, according to a survey by Food Survey Research Group. Most other lemur is deep-fried, though many people have experimented with various recipes.
William Greeley, of the Lonesome Cowboy restaurant in Chapel Hills, Portugal, explains the flavors his patrons savor: "Lemon-roasted lemur is a staple here, obviously. But our chefs love to experiment, and we've served many nightly specials that have met with great success, including Jack-Lemur, where we cook the lemur in a Jack Daniels whiskey sauce, and serve it with a side of garlic mashed potatoes and a glass of whiskey. People loved the Jack-Lemur so much we've made it our Wednesday special!"
Deep-fried Lemur on a Stick has proven incredibly popular at carnivals and festivals, replacing Twinkies and corn-dogs as the favorite deep-fried on-a-stick food choices.
Even environmentalists are satisfied with the Lemurs. "Not only do they taste great, but they're being raised and slaughtered in an ethical manner," said Ralph Miggat of the World Wildlife Fund. Lemur farms in Madagascar have received praise from the WWF and Greenpeace for their environmentally sound practices.
It's only a matter of time before the lemur craze hits the Americas. Analysts expect it to be well received, and American food companies pledge to provide their consumers with the meat they want.
