Isn’t it ‘Black Meat’ just a grand euphemism for dope? If you ask this you haven’t tasted or at least heard about the culinary sensation Kadaknath chicken. Black Meat has its literal meaning in the Kadaknath Chicken. This unique breed of chicken from India whose meat is black in colour has proved to be a tastebud tickler, rendering the usual meats, the white and red kinds, passé. Kadaknath is a native bird of Madhya Pradesh, reared mainly by the tribal communities of Bhil and Bhilala. Kadaknath is very commonly reared by the tribal people mainly due to the bird’s adaptability to the local environment. Kadaknath’s meat is not only delicious but has its medicinal values too.
Image Credit: Twitter
The original name of the Kadaknath is ‘Kalamas’i, meaning a fowl with black flesh, which, though not very appealing to the eye, is very delicious when eaten. The bird is resistant to diseases in its natural habitat in free range conditions but is more susceptible to Marek’s disease under intensive rearing conditions.
Image Credit: Twitter
Kadaknath Chicken’s nutritional chart speaks for itself. Its Protein content is 25%, which is higher than in ordinary chickens (18-20%). This species has low cholesterol; it is rich in amino acids and vitamins. Kadaknath can be used in treating nervous dysfunction, people claim. While the black meat is an aphrodisiac, the eggs of Kadaknath, which too are black in colour, are have nutritional values and healing qualities. In the black chicken arena China has the Silkie chicken and Indonesia the Avam Cemani. According to Delhi-based chef and author Ashish Chopra when cooked in the right way, the Kadaknath chicken can be delicious and a good comparison to Kadkanath would be the partridge or other game meat. (Partridge hunting is illegal now).
Image Credit: Twitter
What experts have to say about this super chicken breed? “The Kadaknath is highly disease resistant and a hardy bird. Unlike broiler chicken, it can survive and even thrive on kitchen waste. It is also a semi-scavenger and an ideal ally for farmers who are looking to supplement their income. In fact, we have received many queries from areas about Kadaknath such as Marathwada and Nagpur,” says S Ganesan, director-in-charge of the Central Poultry Development Organisation (Northern Region).
This chicken breed has reached Chhattisgarh too. Kadaknath Chicken is grown in the Naxal-affected Dantewada of Chhattisgarh. The fowl has reached here from the neighbouring Jhabua and Dhar districts of eastern Madhya Pradesh. Women are encouraged to rear Kadaknath Chicken here and Chhattisgarh government offers subsidised loans for the same. People, especially women, who are fighting poverty in a Naxal-affected or drought hit regions pin their hope on Kadaknath.
Read Also: Chicken Breast VS. Thigh – What’s More Healthy?
