In 1997, I worked as a facilitator(once in a while, I used to do this kind of job as hobby) for this International Election commissioner conference for how to organize fair election in Manila, Philippines. Chief Election commissioner from all around Asia and Asia-Pacific(Australian, New Zealand) came to join this conference to share and learn their experience how to conduct fair election. Part of my job was to received the VIP guest from the airport, take care of their security with local government, take care of the conference facilities, food etc. This people were flying from different cities and I had to spend almost whole day and night in the airport to receive them and make sure their security. I met the Chief Election Commissioner from Papua new Guinea and drove together in the same car to the hotel. When he learn that I am an adventurous eater who would love to try any kind of food, he asked me if I ever tried Crocodile meat. I said nop, he told me then I never had the best meat on earth.
I talked about the restaurant "Costa De Sol" before. The restaurant is very popular with foreigner. Yesterday I learn from someone, they are offering crocodile steak. I was so excited and wanted to try with my recent favorite tea Ying Nu Huang(Lapsang Souchong). I always love Lapsang with my fish and chicken dish. I stepped Ying Nu Huang and put in a thermo to carry with me for dinner. BTW, I asked in the RFDT about this tea and the information was- this tea meaning is " Queen Elizabeth in England ". I did some furture investigation and my supplier told me- This Lapsang is Zheng Shan grade from Mt. Wuyi/Tong Mu Guan, Xing Village. This is the best quality of their factory. There are some factories in Guangzhou or Fujian but only one can be considered their tea as Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong, the original Lapsang.
Well, I can say that this is my most favorite Lapsang so far. No wonder why they call it- "Queen Elizabeth In England"-:) The smoky flavor is very balanced, it is smooth, full bodied, has a very mild biscuity and Vanilla aroma. This Lapsang tea leaves are well twisted.
I know, some of you the thinking why should I eat crocodile meat and encourage poachers to kill animal. The fact is different in this case. I am a supporter of wild life conservation. The wild life food chart had been broken in every part of the world. Crocodile usually eat fish but lot of African rivers are loosing fish by illegal fisherman. Crocodiles don't have enough fish to eat, so this gentleman crocodiles are attacking nearer area where people has domestic animals like- cub, goat, hen, rabbit etc. This crocodiles come to the village and small towns to steal and eat the domestic animals, sometimes even attack small children and senior people. For this reason- government allow to kill some crocodile once in a while. Right now in Canada, they are also thinking to kill some over populated seal. Also in US, we don't have enough wolves who can maintain the number of deer. For urbanization, deforestation or for un-planned hunting- we the human being broke the natural food cycle. In Africa, this is sometime very necessary to kill some animals to maintain a proper animal cycle.
This crocodilemeat came from South Africa and this is the prime season when South African government allow to hunt some crocodile. Now back to the crocodile steak-
The steak was medium done. According to my taste, it was in between fish and chicken with some extra fat. I need to try one more time for a better description. My guess is, well done crocodile steak will be even better. The steak came with chips(here they call French fries as chips, I know it is funny), lots of fresh vegetables with plain yogurt(made from goat milk) and grilled tomato, onion and garlic. I think, still my favorite meat is Kansas T-bone steak and Omaha steak house. Mu guess is the gentleman from Papua New Guinea didn't get the time or experience to have good American beef.
I liked the steak with my Lapsang just thought well done might make the steak better. I will consider crocodile steak as a soft meat, with a little extra fat. I am just very happy to full fill one of my dream to try crocodile meat after eight years. I have plan- while I am in Africa, I will try to taste every single legal animal meat with my favorite tea. If some of you think- it is disgusting to talk about this kind of topic(animal meat), please let me know. I won't post any further. Ripon Maputo, Mozambique