Jeju Black Pig
Encyclopedia
The Jeju Black Pig is a breed of domestic pig found on the Korean
island of Jeju-do
. This is Korea's largest island and lies to the South of the country in the Korea Strait
. It is a smallish pig with a black skin and smooth coat of hair. It has erect, unfolded, ears and a narrow snout.
The Jeju Black is said to have a unique taste quite distinct from other breeds of pig and forms the basis of some well-known local dishes. The pork is smoked over burning hay allowing the smoke to penetrate the meat juices resulting in a flavour quite unlike regular pork and a meat that is somewhat chewier.
Until quite recent times, the pig was kept in order to dispose of human waste. They were housed in sties built below the outside latrines where their "food" was directly delivered. This practice was still current in the 1960s but has now given way to more conventional feeding. Some commentators are adamant that this change has adversely affected the taste.
As part of ongoing co-operation between North and South Korea, there is a project underway to build a pig farm in Pyongyang
to breed Jeju Black Pigs. The equipment required (about US$160,000 worth) has already been shipped to North Korea from Jeju-do. A breeding stock of pigs is to follow when the farm is ready.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
island of Jeju-do
Jeju-do
Jeju-do is the only special autonomous province of South Korea, situated on and coterminous with the country's largest island. Jeju-do lies in the Korea Strait, southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, of which it was a part before it became a separate province in 1946...
. This is Korea's largest island and lies to the South of the country in the Korea Strait
Korea Strait
The Korea Strait is a sea passage between South Korea and Japan, connecting the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean...
. It is a smallish pig with a black skin and smooth coat of hair. It has erect, unfolded, ears and a narrow snout.
The Jeju Black is said to have a unique taste quite distinct from other breeds of pig and forms the basis of some well-known local dishes. The pork is smoked over burning hay allowing the smoke to penetrate the meat juices resulting in a flavour quite unlike regular pork and a meat that is somewhat chewier.
Until quite recent times, the pig was kept in order to dispose of human waste. They were housed in sties built below the outside latrines where their "food" was directly delivered. This practice was still current in the 1960s but has now given way to more conventional feeding. Some commentators are adamant that this change has adversely affected the taste.
As part of ongoing co-operation between North and South Korea, there is a project underway to build a pig farm in Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
to breed Jeju Black Pigs. The equipment required (about US$160,000 worth) has already been shipped to North Korea from Jeju-do. A breeding stock of pigs is to follow when the farm is ready.