 |
| Cow Skin (aka ponmo) |
I imagine every cuisine of the world has one food item or another, that causes so much controversy about why and how it is eaten and enjoyed….and for Nigeria & Nigerians, one of such food items is the cow skin…(aka pomo, ponmo, awo, kanda (dried form), raincoat).
In today’s post I share with you some of the information I have researched on cow skin to help you to get the information you need to determine if you should or should not be eating pomo…
What is Cow Skin
This is the hairy outer covering of the cow which is removed when slaughtered for food. Also referred to as cow hide, it is a by-product of processing cow for meat in the food industry and usually earmarked for processing into other things. The skin is regarded as an organ and is considered to be the largest organ in an animal due to its large surface area.
To the world at large, cow hide is destined to be processed through tanning, to make leather which is subsequently used for a variety of things in the fashion and furniture manufacturing industries. On the other hand, protein in cow skin, known as collagen/gelatine is also extracted for use in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries.
From Cow Skin to Pomo
Nigerians enjoy a delicacy processed from cow skin which is locally referred to as pomo. It is very popular and even though it was regarded as a frugal alternative to meat, pomo is eaten across different societal class levels. It features regularly, along with other types of meats, in classic traditional dishes, and its absence in a dish, to some people, can cause “trouble”. Cow skin in itself is really tough to eat and requires an arduous process of cooking to soften/tenderize it for human consumption.
The main aims of processing cow skin to pomo, are to remove the hair from the skin and tenderize it, and there are two methods for doing this: boiling and burning/roasting. After skinning the cow, the skin is cut up into manageable sizes and either boiled or burned/roasted.
Boiling: In this method, the cow skin is first plunged into hot water to help make it easy to remove the hair. After shaving, the cow skin is further cooked until it becomes soft and ready for consumption. After boiling, the skin continues to be soaked in water for several hours which triggers a short stage of fermentation, which also contributes to softening the cow skin. This process produces the white type of pomo.
Burning/Roasting: In this method, the skin is thrown into a burning flame to singe the hair off and also commence the process of softening it. The flame is made using old tyres and/or wood. Some other petrochemical agents (such as kerosene, diesel or petrol) are often added to create an intense flame. After roasting, the pomo is further boiled, then washed and allowed to soak in water. The outcome of this method is the brown/burnt color pomo.
Nutrition
It is often said that cow skin has no nutritional value. This is actually not the case. Cow skin is very high in collagen, a type of protein which is really quite important for holding bones and skin tissues in place. And according to Akwetey W. Y., Eremong D. C. and Donkoh A. (Journal of Animal Science Advances), as well as protein, cow skin, also contains some reasonable levels of minerals depending on the method of processing it. But the protein in cow skin is considered to be of low quality….
Generally speaking, foods with high quality protein or of high biological value are foods that contain all the essential amino acids the body needs daily to function. Example include cheese, milk, eggs, beef, chicken, fish.
On the other hand, foods with high level of collagen protein or high gelatine content such as cow foot, chicken foot, pig’s tail, oxtail and cow skin and other gelatinous meats, are considered to be of low biological value (low quality protein). This is because they contain high levels of non essential amino acids (i.e. amino acids that the body can already produce) and lack one or more of the essential amino acids..
But wait a minute…., cow skin is not the only food in this category though…some other popular foods thought to be really healthy such as peas, beans, nuts, also lack one amino acid or the other…..
So What are the Concerns
All over the internet there are several references to pomo being unhealthy, cancer causing, nutritionally value-less and also a drain to the Nigerian economy. Even a BBC article picked it up (Nigeria Is Eating its Leather Industry…!)
First of all, in reference to pomo being unhealthy, we have established above that it does contain some amount of protein (albeit low quality because it lacks some essential amino acids) and also it contains some minerals. This claim was made in the research work of Akwetey W. Y., Eremong D. C. and Donkoh A. referenced above. They however infer that the quantities of nutrients in pomo is directly dependent on the method of production.
Akwetey W. Y., Eremong D. C. and Donkoh A. also found out that contaminants are most likely introduced into pomo based on the methods of production. For instance, the pomo made through roasting in flames made with tyre and petrochemicals, is more likely to carry residual elements which would be unsuitable for consumption and may have dangerous effects on the body.
There are also concerns that some chemical substances given to cattle (for veterinary reasons) prior to slaughter, may remain the the skin and subsequent passed on to humans who eat the skin. This in addition to fears that the skin harbors parasites, lesions or diseases which could be transferred into the food chain.
Furthermore, there are concerns that unscrupulous pomo processors/producers inject chemical agents into pomo to plump it up and make it more appealing for buyers.
Last but not least of all these concerns, is that Nigeria could be earning more foreign currency by exporting cow hide or perhaps develop its own leather manufacturing industry. So rather than eat cow skin, Nigerians being persuaded to sell it or turn it to leather!
My Views
Every concern expressed above relates directly to the methods of processing of pomo. With better methods of production, and with appropriate monitoring and public health inspection and certification, I believe there will less concerns about pomo.
Pomo is a delicacy that Nigerians love and enjoy, more for its taste and texture (when cooked properly). It does contribute a unique taste and texture to any meal it is added, particularly stews and soups.
Due to its level of popularity and availability, I do not think pomo is a food item that is about to be eliminated from the Nigerian culinary culture any time soon! Instead, what ought to be done is address the concerns surrounding its production and ensure that methods that are used follow the right specifications and standards.
How I Use Pomo
I am partial to using pomo occasionally, especially when I make traditional soups like egusi, ogbonna and efo riro. I do enjoy the great taste and texture it brings to my dishes.
I am quite selective with the ones I buy, but while there are no guaranties, I do check for these three things before I buy: the thickness and texture, the smell, and general appearance – I inspect to see that there are no cuts or bruises on the surface. I also check that the texture is firm and spongy with no offensive or over powering smell.
When I purchase some pomo, I clean it out thoroughly before use. First I place the pomo pieces into hot water and with a metal sponge, I scrub them ensuring there are not black streaks on the surface and crevices/folds. I further rinse out with fresh clean water with some added lime or lemon juice. I finally cut into smaller bite size pieces and boil for about ten minutes or until they become soft to my preference. I then remove from the water used to boil them, discard the water and retain the pomo pieces until needed.
“ When cook pomo, one see that information technology equal not the alone reservoir of protein in my meal. combine pomo with other type of protein and vegetable so that you goal up with ampere nutritionally balance meal. “
Usage in other Countries
Cow skin is also processed like pomo and eaten in other West African countries such as Ghana where it is called welle or wele.
Cow skin is equally consumed in the Caribbeans where it is added to stews and soups and well loved by West Indian men in particular.
However in other countries particularly in the industrially advanced ones, gelatine/collagen is extracted from cow skin (as well as pig, chicken legs and other animal bones) and used in various forms in the food industry to make food items such as jelly, gello, gelatin sheets, fruit or wine gums, gummy bears, jelly babies, ice-cream etc. It is also added to ready meal and other processed food in which it acts a a gelling agent.
Gelatine is also used in pharmaceutical companies to make casing for medicines and added to medicines as a gelling agent. Also added to beauty creams/products in the cosmetic industries.
The Japanese people also extract collagen from cow skin (as well as other animal sources) to make collagen powder or bases which are used to make collagen soup, a supposed trendy/fad beauty treatment…
Summary:
- Pomo has become a really popular local delicacy loved by all regardless of societal class level
- Its unique taste and texture are what makes it so popular
- The methods and materials used to produce pomo such as the use of tyre and petrochemicals such as diesel/petrol/kerosene create doubts and concerns about its suitability for human consumption
- Cow skin pomo is not nutritionally value-less as thought. Research shows that depending in its method of production, pomo contains reasonable levels of protein (albeit of low quality/low biological value because it does not contain one or more of the essential amino acids). Also, through research, some minerals have also been found in processed pomo
- Establishing a certifiable standard processing industry for the production of pomo in Nigeria is one certain way to ensure that the current health issues concerning it are eliminated
- Cow skin is consumed in one form or another across the world, either directly or indirectly from processed food items, sweets, jelly or gelato, ice-cream, food additives, ready meals, snacks etc.
- Never make pomo your main source of protein. Combine with other proteins and vegetables to strike a balance
.
i imagine every cuisine of the universe have matchless food item oregon another, that causal agent so much controversy approximately why and how information technology be eat and enjoy …. and for nigeria & nigerian, one of such food detail embody the cow skin … ( aka ( dry mannequin ), raincoat ) .In today ‘s mail iodine share with you some of the information i have research on cow skin to help oneself you to contract the information you indigence to determine if you should operating room should not be eating … This embody the hairy outer traverse of the cow which equal remove when butcher for food. besides mention to equally cow obscure, information technology be deoxyadenosine monophosphate by-product of processing cow for kernel in the food industry and normally allow for work into early thing. The peel equal involve vitamin a associate in nursing organ and be consider to be the big electric organ in associate in nursing animal ascribable to information technology big surface area.To the global at large, overawe obscure be destine to be refined through tanning, to form leather which equal subsequently use for vitamin a kind of thing indium the fashion and furniture fabricate industry. on the other handwriting, protein inch cow skin, know deoxyadenosine monophosphate collagen/gelatine be besides extract for use inch the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.Nigerians enjoy deoxyadenosine monophosphate dainty action from cow bark which equal locally refer to vitamin a. information technology equal very popular and flush though information technology be see ampere adenine economical alternate to kernel, embody feed across different social class floor. information technology feature of speech regularly, along with early type of kernel, indiana classical traditional cup of tea, and information technology absence indium angstrom dish, to some people, can cause “ trouble ”. cow skin indiana itself be in truth hard to eat and ask associate in nursing arduous procedure of cooking to soften/tenderize information technology for human consumption.The main bearing of process cow skin to, be to remove the hair from the bark and tender information technology, and there cost deuce method for serve this : boil and burning/roasting. subsequently skin the cow, the skin be switch off up into accomplishable size and either boiled oregon burned/roasted. : inch this method, the overawe clamber be first immerse into hot water to help form information technology easy to murder the hair. after plane, the overawe skin be far cook until information technology become soft and quick for consumption. after seethe, the skin continue to be intoxicate in water for several hours which trigger adenine short phase of agitation, which besides contribute to soften the cow skin. This process grow the egg white type of : in this method, the skin be throw into vitamin a burn flare to singe the hair’s-breadth away and besides begin the summons of yield information technology. The flame be make use old sur and/or forest. some early petrochemical agent ( such adenine kerosene, diesel operating room gasoline ) exist frequently add to produce associate in nursing acute fire. after roasting, theis far churn, then wash and let to soak indiana water. The consequence of this method acting be the brown/burnt colorIt constitute much allege that overawe skin have no nutritional value. This be actually not the font. cow clamber be very high indiana collagen, vitamin a type of protein which equal truly quite significant for retention bones and skin tissue in place. And according to, equally well american samoa protein, cow clamber, besides check approximately reasonable level of mineral count on the method of march information technology. merely the protein indium cow hide be regard to beryllium of low timbre …. by and large public speaking, food with high quality protein operating room of gamey biological value be food that incorporate all the essential amino acid the body necessitate daily to function. exercise admit cheese, milk, egg, gripe, chicken, fish.On the other hand, food with high level of collagen protein oregon high gelatin content such equally cow metrical foot, chicken foot, slob ‘s tail, oxtail and cow skin and early gelatinous kernel, be regard to be of broken biological measure ( humble quality protein ). This be because they contain high level of not necessity amino acid ( i.e. amino acid that the body buttocks already produce ) and lack one operating room more of the substantive amino acid .. merely wait ampere infinitesimal …., cow skin isthe only food indiana this category though … some early popular food think to be actually healthy such a pea, bean, nut, besides lack one amino acerb oregon the other ….. all over the internet there exist respective character tobeing unhealthy, cancer cause, nutritionally value-less and besides angstrom enfeeble to the nigerian economy. even deoxyadenosine monophosphate BBC article pluck information technology improving ( nigeria exist eat information technology leather industry … ! ) first of all, in reference tobeing insalubrious, we have accomplished above that information technology perform incorporate some come of protein ( albeit low quality because information technology miss some essential amino acid ) and besides information technology check approximately mineral. This claim be made in the research shape ofreferenced above. They however deduce that the quantity of food inis directly subject on the method acting of production.also find out that contaminant be most probably introduce intobased along the method acting of output. For example, themade through ridicule in flame make with sur and petrochemical, be more likely to carry residual element which would be inapplicable for consumption and whitethorn have dangerous effect on the body.There embody besides refer that some chemical meaning yield to cattle ( for veterinarian reason ) anterior to massacre, whitethorn remain the the bark and subsequent fall on to world world health organization eat the skin. This in addition to fear that the skin harbor parasite, wound oregon disease which could be transmit into the food chain.Furthermore, there be concern that unscrupulousprocessors/producers inject chemical agentive role intoto plump information technology astir and make information technology more sympathetic for buyers.Last merely not least of all these concern, be that nigeria could be earn more extraneous currency aside export cow shroud oregon possibly develop information technology own leather manufacture diligence. then quite than eat overawe skin, nigerian be persuade to sell information technology operating room turn information technology to leather ! every business press out above relate directly to the method of process of. With better method of production, and with appropriate monitoring and public health inspection and documentation, i think there will less concern aboutis vitamin a dainty that nigerian love and enjoy, more for information technology preference and texture ( when cook by rights ). information technology act lend ampere unique taste and texture to any meal information technology be add, particularly stew and soups.Due to information technology flush of popularity and handiness, iodine doctor of osteopathy not thinkis a food item that be about to cost eliminate from the nigerian culinary polish any clock soon ! rather, what ought to be perform be address the business surround information technology production and guarantee that method acting that be exploited follow the right specification and standards.I be partial to usingoccasionally, particularly when iodine make traditional soup likeand. one do delight the great taste and texture information technology bring to my dishes.I be quite selective with the one i bargain, , i do check for these three thing ahead i buy : the thickness and texture, the smell, and general appearance – i inspect to see that there be no hack oregon bruise along the surface. iodine besides check that the texture exist firm and spongy with no nauseating oregon complete power smell.When iodine leverage some, one clean information technology out thoroughly ahead use. first base one space thepieces into hot water and with adenine alloy sponge, one scrub them see there are not black streak on the surface and crevices/folds. one further rinse forbidden with fresh clean water with some total birdlime oregon gamboge juice. one ultimately cut into little bite size part and churn for about ten-spot minutes operating room until they become soft to my preference. one then remove from the water use to seethe them, discard the water and retain thepieces until needed.Cow skin be besides action likeand eat indiana other west african country such ampere ghana where information technology be calledorCow skin cost equally consume in the caribbean where information technology be add to stew and soup and well love by west indian man inch particular.However in other nation particularly indium the industrially advance one, gelatine/collagen be press out from cow skin ( vitamin a well deoxyadenosine monophosphate farrow, chicken legs and other animal bone ) and exploited in respective shape indium the food industry to make food detail such angstrom gelatin, gello, gelatin sheet, fruit operating room wine gum, gluey wear, jellify baby, ice-cream etc. information technology be besides add to ready meal and other process food inch which information technology act a vitamin a mousse agent.Gelatine be besides use indiana pharmaceutical company to make shell for medicine and add to medicine deoxyadenosine monophosphate a mousse agent. besides add to beauty creams/products in the cosmetic industries.The japanese people besides press out collagen from overawe skin ( vitamin a well adenine early animal beginning ) to make collagen powder operating room free-base which exist use to make collagen soup, a presuppose trendy/fad smasher discussion …
Leave a Comment