Foie gras
Foie gras (French for "fat liver") is a specialty food product made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened. By French law, foie gras is defined as the liver of a duck or goose fattened by gavage (force-feeding corn). Foie gras is a popular and well-known delicacy in French cuisine. Its flavor is described as rich, buttery, and delicate, unlike that of an ordinary duck or goose liver.
Production[edit | edit source]
The production of foie gras involves a process called gavage, where ducks or geese are force-fed corn through a tube inserted into their esophagus. This process typically lasts for 2-3 weeks before the animals are slaughtered. The practice of gavage has been controversial due to concerns about animal welfare.
History[edit | edit source]
Foie gras has been produced since ancient times. The practice of fattening geese dates back to at least 2500 BC, as evidenced by bas-reliefs found in ancient Egyptian tombs. The technique was later adopted by the Romans, who spread it throughout the Roman Empire. In modern times, France is the largest producer and consumer of foie gras, with the Périgord and Alsace regions being particularly renowned for their production.
Culinary Uses[edit | edit source]
Foie gras can be prepared in a variety of ways. It is often served as a pâté, mousse, or parfait, and can also be pan-seared or used as an ingredient in other dishes. In French cuisine, it is commonly served with brioche or pain d'épices and accompanied by a sweet wine such as Sauternes.
Controversy[edit | edit source]
The production of foie gras has been the subject of significant controversy and debate. Animal rights organizations argue that the process of gavage is inhumane and causes unnecessary suffering to the animals. As a result, the production and sale of foie gras have been banned in several countries and regions, including California and India.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
This French cuisine related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD