Some say emu meat is a nutritional goldmine. Others call it the super food of the New Millennium. Today's health conscious consumers are discovering emu meat. Many exotic meats are all said to taste like chicken. The emu, however, does not; this large, flightless bird tastes a lot like beef. The meat is lower in cholesterol and fat and has been promoted by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy alternative. EMUS are raised without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics. This meat is a good source of iron, magnesium, potassium, protein and other minerals
Athletes and body-builders are beginning to turn to emu meat too as the meat of their choice, as it contains measurably more protein per serving than beef and poultry. The general feeling is that it is preferable to filling up with a healthy alternative, like emu meat, without overloading the body with fats and cholesterol. By reducing the serving, while still maintaining the protein levels, these athletes and body builders are able to reduce their fat and cholesterol intakes significantly.
Here are some other emu meat facts:
- Emu meat is a tasty, pleasing red meat, and packed with protein.
- Emu meat is 97% fat free.
- Emu meat is high in iron and vitamin B12 and low in calories and cholesterol.
- Wilderness Emu Ranch emus are raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones.
- The American Heart Association recently included emu meat in its listing of heart-healthy meats.
- The tenderness and texture of emu meat enable it to be prepared in a variety of ways. It is best prepared lightly grilled, pan fried, or saluted.
Emu Market Plan
The potential of emu ranching will be based on consumer demand for both emu meat and oil products. Recent test markets indicate that there is a large potential for consumer demand of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products made from the emu's oil. It has been estimated that if the current total population of emus that exist in the United States today were slaughtered for meat and oil products, it would meet only 10% of today's market demand for these products. Estimations indicate that consumer demand for emu products will far surpass the emu population, even ten to twenty years into the future.
Contact local restaurants, especially those that offer exotic fare. Many restaurants have added emu meat to their menus not only to give their customers a unique choice but also to provide a healthier alternative for those patrons on special diets. You can also check with meat markets and supermarkets that buy local products in addition to those offered by their distributors.