Brief history of turkeys in Taiwan
It is likely the Maya of southern Mexico were the first to domesticate turkeys, maybe 2000 years ago. (Photos at National Museum of Anthropology Mexico City Nov 2024) 🦃 T urkeys brought in by Dutch (1624–1662) ? Possible but unlikely. There was mention of first turkey consumption on the island during which time. But appears no document recording Dutch introduction of turkey to Taiwan. 🦃Late-Ming Record shows 火雞 Huoji (mandarin Chinese name for turkey) some 200 years before Dutch in Tainan. These 火雞 Huoji, however, were believed 鶴駝 ( 食火雞) Cassowaries from Southeast Asia to China, then to Taiwan. Could Cassowaries 鶴駝 (instead of turkey 火雞) what Dutch had seen consumed in Southern Taiwan? Also possible. 🦃 Turkey production in Taiwan under Japanese rule There is enough evidence Japanese encouraged turkeys breeding in Taiwan. Widely raised under its Japanese name 七面鳥 ( らーめん Shichimenc...
