Cambodia rat-meat trade fuelled by yumminess

Cambodia's rat-meat trade has become the subject of much discussion in recent weeks, with many westernised societies decrying the situation as 'abominable' and 'gut sickening'. Cambodian's themselves, however, are much chagrinned by the apparent interest, and have declared themselves baffled that there is any issue at all.

"Rat meat is some of the most wonderful food you can imagine. It's like Willy Wonka's in my mouth every time I swallow!" - Confessed Cambodian rat-meat addict.

We asked the addict what she thought caused westerners to become holier-than-thou when it came to other cultures?

"I don't know, I'm not a social psychologist," came the rather terse reply. Followed by a grin and the loudest laugh you've ever heard. "No, seriously though, I personally find the idea of eating a chicken is pretty revolting. And supping from the teat of a giant mammal? Disgusting - and yet you put it on your cereal."

We asked head-chef of Norvegicus, Marcus Warehouse, to cook up some of the rat meat so we could taste test the Cambodian speciality.

"It tastes rather pleasant," Warehouse declared - he was the only one brave enough to try it. "For once it's a meat that doesn't taste like chicken. Rat-meat tastes more like goat placenta - which is beautiful and iron-rich. I for one will definitely be putting it on the menu tonight. I mean, let's face it: it's incredibly cheap, it's already tiny so that makes my food look more poncy and expensive, and it means we don't have to spend so long cleaning and washing the kitchen every night because it'll encourage rats straight to the kitchen. Bonus!"

The rat harvest that fuels the meat trade is an ongoing process in Cambodia, and this reporter for one is pleased to hear it.