Cuogao Tibetan Pig

Cuogao Tibetan Pig

　　Cuogao Village in Cuogao Town, Gongbo’gyamda County, Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, is located at the northeastern end of “Basong Co” (Lake Basong) in the Linzhi (Nyingchi) area of Tibet. It lies against towering, rugged snow-capped mountains and faces the crystal-clear waters of Lake Basong. The Tibetan pig is a specialty of the Linzhi region where Cuogao Village is situated. Raised freely in the forests and mountains, it feeds year-round on abundant wild plants and Tibetan medicinal herbs, resulting in its small size, high nutritional value, delicious and non-greasy meat that is widely popular in the market and often in short supply. Due to long-term free-range grazing at high altitudes, Tibetan pigs are robust, with pointed snouts, long heads, fine hooves, hard bones, and excellent running ability. Their heart and lung functions are particularly well-developed, giving them strong resistance to disease and cold. Most adult Tibetan pigs grow naturally for over two years. The quality of Tibetan pigs boasts “six superlatives”: the highest amino acid content in the meat, the highest level of trace elements, the lowest fat content, the longest intestines, the thinnest skin, and the longest bristles. It is a traditional ethnic delicacy in Tibet and is hailed as the “Treasure of the Plateau.”

　　As a unique and ancient livestock resource in Tibet, the cooking methods of the Tibetan pig have been included in Tibet’s intangible cultural heritage protection list and have been nominated for the second batch of regional and national-level intangible cultural heritage protection projects. Tibetan pigs, which “drink spring water and eat mountain delicacies,” are becoming a brand in Tibetan dietary culture. According to reports, Tibetan pigs from Cuogao Township have been tested by relevant national authorities and found to be of the highest quality. As the area with the highest concentration of Tibetan pigs, in 2012, diners at hotels and restaurants in Lhasa, Linzhi, and other parts of Tibet would often order a dish called “Zanghao” Tibetan Pig. Its delicious taste frequently earned high praise from customers.