Do Rats Taste Good?

We may think that rats taste sweet, but it isn’t exactly true. Scientists are still puzzled by the elusive sense of taste. It’s not clear how it works or what it is responsible for. Researchers have found that rats’ taste buds have different chemistry and different tastes from those of humans. But they do have a similar sense of smell, which makes them able to detect changes in temperature and weather.

In Asia, rats are often consumed in local cuisines. Many countries in Asia have a rich rice culture, and rats love to get into the fields and feast on the crop. And because rats are largely kept in relatively clean conditions, it isn’t surprising that they are often eaten. Rats can be eaten raw, boiled, or dried.

In most parts of the world, rats are treated as vermin, but in some areas, they are prized delicacies. In China, for example, a festival is held each year celebrating rats. Rats have a distinct taste, which resembles other gamey meats like venison. However, unlike venison, rats don’t have a sweet taste.

A rat weighs about 300g and contains 648 calories, 63g of protein and 33g of fat. This is comparable to a 300g serving of lamb shoulder. In comparison, lamb shoulder contains 402 calories, 61g of protein, and only 16g of fat.