I have some VERY IMPORTANT NEWS here:
RACCOONS EAT TRASH
GACKT EATS RACCOONS
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/7cacd9ac82deb9054ecfc4fe37b962aaed163dd2?page=1
(The article starts with miscellaneous info about Gackt's promotional activities, and then goes on to say how on such-and-such a show he would be asked to show off his discernment by telling the difference between fine wine and cheap rotgut, pro versus amateur dancers, etcetera)
GACKT: "It Was Delicious" - Beef Compared To An Altogether Different Animal
The last question posed to GACKT was: given three samples of meat, tell which one of them was Yonezawa beef, from the texture alone...
"The other two meats were Mexican beef and raccoon meat. After sampling the meats, GACKT gave the correct answer, extending his winning streak to 71 questions. But when he said the raccoon meat had been 'delicious', it became a hot topic of discussion." - An entertainment journalist
Raccoons (アライグマ
araiguma) are omnivorous animals from North America that resemble the tanuki. They gained popularity in Japan thanks to the 1977 anime "Araiguma Rascal", but in recent years they are largely considered wild animals that ruin crops and break into the trash. As their meat is not commonly sold in supermarkets or butcher shops, raccoons have very little recognition for their culinary uses.
"Over and above GACKT giving his seal of approval, when Football Hour (a comedy duo) took the same challenge they couldn't tell the difference between Yonezawa beef and raccoon meat. To the TV audience, it gave the impression that raccoon meat is in no way inferior to premium beef." - The same entertainment journalist
"Raccoon" started trending on Twitter immediately following the broadcast. Users said:
"I want to try raccoon meat!"
"If GACKT said so, it must be delicious."
In the wake of this buzz, Rakuten and other internet sellers have been sold out of raccoon meat.
How Is Raccoon Prepared In America?
In practice, how is raccoon meat prepared and seasoned? On this week's installment of "Kakuzuke Check" (a variety show) they took raccoon meat and consulted Akira Miyamoto (??) (宮下慧), the branding director of
Kome to Circus, a metro Tokyo restaurant specializing in
gibier (game animals).
"Because raccoons are omnivorous, the taste of their meat may vary widely - it may be easily palatable or unpleasant and gamey. GACKT gave it high marks when he ate it, as he likely happened to get some that was agreeable. And it was probably prepared with a high degree of skill."
It seems the culinary uses of raccoon are generally recognized in America.
"The best season for raccoon is winter. That's when the balance of fat to red meat is at its best and the meat is tender and pink. At our shop we typically prepare it as part of a hot pot, but it can also be good as sukiyaki, like they did on the TV show.
If you want to enjoy the flavor of the meat on its own, I think simply grilling it is best. Lots of people enjoy barbecuing in the summer." - Mr. Miyamoto
Feverish Anticipation At Restaurants Serving Raccoon
Raccoon meat is still not commonly on offer within Japan though.
"As we source our raccoon meat at our shop from huntsmen in Kyushu, who send it to us as they hunt it, the supply is not as regular as for meat from farms such as beef or pork. From October of last year (2022) up to the present (January 2023), we built up a stock of about 100 raccoons, but after the buzz from 'Kakuzuke' our internet shop has been sold out. As restocking depends on when our hunters are able to hunt more raccoons, we can't say with certainty when we'll have more for sale."
Mr. Miyamoto places his hopes in "Raccoon Fever".
"Even so, our shop also carries more familiar game meats such as Yezo sika deer, brown bear, tanuki, and crow. If you're looking for an easier way to enjoy new taste sensations, these are a good place to start. We hope you'll come and share in the excitement with us.
Raccoon meat is still available at our restaurant, so by all means come and dine at our humble establishment."
At his mail-order shop, the going rate for raccoon meat is 2780 yen per 100 grams, while you can enjoy a hot pot for two at the restaurant for 6960 yen.
Right at the start of the year, raccoons are receiving unexpected attention. It may be tough for the "Rascal" generation, but maybe it's time to put your trust in GACKT-sama's palate and take the challenge for yourself!
