As most people know, the French consume a lot of snails, approximately 40,000 tons of slimy creatures are sliding down the throats of gobs of people in France annually. (Do you think they’ve tried slugs, too?) But a surprising fact regarding the famous escargots de France, is that very little of the snails consumed in France, are actually from France. In fact, only 2% of the snails are from France and many of the French snail producers import snails from Russia, Poland, Greece, Turkey and Indonesia – then process those and then later put their own names on the packaging. So, those “Escargots de Bourgogne” (snails from Burgundy) are most likely from Eastern Europe and not from Burgundy at all. Double Gasp!
It hasn’t always been like that but now many snails are protected in France and also, many French snail farmers gave up their escargot farms because they were experiencing fierce competition from Eastern Europe and Asia.
Other Exciting and Appetizing Snail Trivia:
Snails are full of calcium, magnesium and vitamin C.
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That really IS interesting…maybe escargots should be associated with Eastern Europe rather than France!
Comment by Run Around Paris 08.15.06 @ 9:39 ampersonally, i do not see the appeal of eating snails. beurk! (as they say in france)
Yep – the ones in France are more expensive. Mind you I’ve been living in France now 9 years and I’ve never tried them (and want to keep it that way).
My gf, who is French, likes them very occasionally. But she prefers Bulot (sea snails).
John N (originally from the UK)
Comment by John N 08.17.06 @ 4:17 pmI ate once time snails in my life and i’m french!:-)
it’s a legend… the most of my friends are never eat snails… in fact, we eat snails (for most french people) just at Christmas (le jour de Noel)!!
But the bread (la baguette)it’s true! at every meal.:-))))
2% only of French snail on the French market !
This figure cannot possibly include the number of snails that goes directly from the forest to the plate. Like myself from the south-west of France, many people go and pick snails from their surrounding forests after some good rains.
We then salt, clean, boil, preserve them in large quantity before preparing them for a special occasion (Christmas, New Year…). It’s always a good present to offer to friends and family.
Bon appetit!
Comment by Remi V 01.10.08 @ 10:38 pmI’d like to find out if the French are still importing Helix esparsa to France and how much do they pay for snails per tonnage? I also like to find out if you are importing, in what form; live, frozen or canned?
Comment by Elza van Dyk 10.28.09 @ 12:19 pmLeave a comment
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