From Household Animal To National Dish: Guinea Pigs In Peru
A Food Tradition With Deep Roots: In Peru, guinea pigs are known as cuy and have been raised for food for thousands of years. Long before European contact, Indigenous Andean communities relied on cuy as a key source of protein. Archaeological evidence shows that guinea pigs were eaten, traded, and used in rituals as far back as 3000 BCE. Unlike many animals introduced later, cuy are native to the Andes. This made them easy to raise and well suited to local diets. Over time, guinea pig consumption became a normal and respected part of Peruvian food culture.