Rare Hungarian pig alive and well

A breed of hairy Hungarian pig which had nearly disappeared in Europe is once again thriving in the hills of southeast France – ironically thanks to ham lovers.

Bruno Bluntzer, who heads the Sibilia charcuterie company, considered a temple of saucisse and other delicacies in the food-mad city of Lyon, began experimenting with Mangalitza pigs after meeting a couple who were raising dozens of the rare breed.

“I was looking for a specific pig variety that I could work with differently, because I wanted a certain taste,” Bluntzer said.

He met Michel and Sylvie Guidet, who had begun raising Mangalitza pigs on their land in the foothills of the Alps.

The animal’s fat is rich in Omega 3 and low in cholesterol.