Chinese more free, better than American turkeys
- Source: Global Times
- [21:36 November 25 2009]
- Comments
Turkey from the suburbs of Beijing tastes totally different from the factory farms of America.
"They are the same breed and they should taste the same," said Tong Ying, boss of Tongying Turkey Farm in the suburbs of Beijing. "Some Chinese customers told us they found the imported ones have an unusual smell and they prefer ours.
"As much as they're originally from the United States, raising them here gives them a Chinese flavor."
Zhang Hailan of Tianhu Turkey Farm ventured an explanation.
"In the States when I visited one of their middle-sized farms like ours, I found they raise at least 100-kilo turkeys, whereas they weigh less than 20 kilos in our farm.
"The American turkey will also grow faster because they eat special feed. We do not confine our turkeys inside the farm as our American counterparts do.
"We let them walk in the open air – it's semi-free range. From a humanistic point of view, turkeys in China definitely enjoy more freedom than in the United States."
Tong told the Global Times that the turkeys are fed 30 percent by forage from outdoors. After 16 weeks of growth, a Nicolas turkey weighs 10 kilograms, ready for a festive slaughter and journey to the family dinner table.
It's the busiest time of the year for Tong.
"Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Chinese New Year are the three peak seasons for us," she said.
In more normal times however, Tongying and other turkey farms have more steady customers.
"Our main customers are five-star hotels, but some rich Chinese with an overseas background will also order from us when they give a party for their foreign friends," Zhang said. "For the convenience of individual customers, Tianhu offers roast turkeys at 488 yuan for 10 kilograms and upwards."
There are other unexpected customers, Tong told the Global Times.
"Some old cadres will send their drivers over whenever their stocks run out, and they usually like a liitle slice of turkey for breakfast." T0ng said.
Turkey boasts 20 percent more protein, 21 percent less fat and much less cholesterol than other birds, according to Tong.
