Pork is trendy, by Rodrigo Barañao
It is said that the domestication of pigs started 13,000 years ago in the region that is now known as Western Asia, and since then pigs have been considered an animal exclusive to human consumption. Many years later, pork went on to become a key food product in European countries such as France and Spain. Spain introduced the first domesticated pigs to America during colonization at the end of the 15th century.
It is said that the domestication of pigs started 13,000 years ago in the region that is now known as Western Asia, and since then pigs have been considered an animal exclusive to human consumption. Many years later, pork went on to become a key food product in European countries such as France and Spain. Spain introduced the first domesticated pigs to America during colonization at the end of the 15th century.
In Chile, the Iberian pig arrived with Pedro de Valdivia and pigs have been bred and sent to market ever since. In the last 30 years, production has increased considerably due to an increase in Chilean domestic pork consumption and the opening of new international markets.
ChilePork is the industry-wide brand that represents Chilean pork exporters around the world and Chile ranks sixth globally in terms of pork exports. In 2017, 55% of the meat Chile exported was pork, with a total of 287,000 tons at a value of around US$457 million. This places Chilean pork on the list of internationally recognized products, like wine and fresh fruit.
Today Chilean pork stands out worldwide because of its food safety, healthiness, and the nutritional benefits associated with it. Because of this, markets such as Japan, China and Korea consume large amounts of Chilean pork in the most diverse and delicious dishes.
In May, I will take part in the campaign to position the ChilePork brand in Asia, which will take me on a tour of Japan, China, and Korea. Together with a local chef in each country, I will show the versatility of pork prepared using both local and Chilean techniques during live cooking shows. As the invited Chilean chef, I feel very proud to be an ambassador of a national product as noble as pork.
Also, I’d like to remind you that I am working on my third book, Al Chancho con Barañao III, which also makes me really happy.
The BBC named pork as one of the 50 most nutritious foods in existence. It is a food with high nutritional value, which provides cross-cutting benefits. It contains Potassium, Phosphorous, Zinc, and Vitamins B1, B3, B6, and B12, all of which support the immune system.
After mentioning all these benefits, the only thing left to say is that pork is trendy. So here are two recipes to get this beautiful season off to a start.