How many stomachs does a cow generally have, what are the functions of each, and which one is the tripe?
We all know that whether human or animal, there is only one stomach, but this animal's stomach has always been a mystery, and that animal is the cow. Even now many people still do not know how many stomachs a cow has. What are the functions of each? Which one is the tripe we always order when eating hot pot? If you are not clear on these common facts, they are compiled below for you, so next time someone asks you, you will know!
1. How many stomachs does a cow generally have?
If you raise cattle in the countryside, you must know that a cow has 4 stomachs, and each stomach has a different function. It is just like cooking: first wash the ingredients, then cut them, then put oil in the pan, then add the ingredients and stir-fry with salt, and finally a dish is ready. The cow's stomachs are just like this cooking process, with different stomachs carrying different functions and digesting the food eaten in different ways. The details are as follows:
1. The cow's first stomach, the “rumen”
The rumen is the first stomach of ruminants and is located on the left side of the abdominal cavity.
Main functions of the rumen:
(1.1) Storing feed. We all know that cows generally eat grass, and grass is generally difficult to digest, so it is stored in the rumen.
(1.2) Microbial fermentation, which can help degrade fibrous material and promote digestion.
2. The cow's second stomach, the “honeycomb stomach”
The honeycomb stomach is located at the front of the rumen. It has an antibiotic-like substance, inhibits heart function, and causes death. This stomach is generally used in daily life to make braised dishes.
Main functions of the honeycomb stomach:
(2.1) The honeycomb stomach acts like a filter. When a cow eats grass, it inevitably swallows sand, wire, small stones, and so on. Its main function is to play an important role in screening.
3. The cow's third stomach, the “omasum”
The omasum is the cow's third stomach, located on the right side of the front part of the abdominal cavity, and mainly further digests food. In daily life it is generally used for cold dressed dishes or in hot pot, which is what we often call tripe.
Main functions of the omasum:
(3.1) Absorbing water from the feed and squeezing and grinding the feed, retaining the coarse parts of the food, continuing to grind them finer, and transporting the thinner parts into the abomasum, while absorbing a large amount of water and acid.
4. The cow's fourth stomach, the “abomasum”
The abomasum is the cow's fourth stomach, located at the bottom of the right side of the abdomen, and is called the cow's true stomach. In daily life it is used for hot pot.
Main functions of the abomasum:
(4.1) Digestive glands, which can secrete digestive enzymes, helping the grass the cow has eaten to achieve true digestion and absorption.
(4.2) Secreting digestive juice, which moistens the food. The digestive juice contains enzymes and can digest part of the protein, but basically does not digest fat, cellulose, or starch.
(4.3) Further digestion, with undigested material excreted from the body through the large intestine.
2. Which stomach of the cow is tripe?
Tripe refers to the cow's omasum, also known as beef tripe.
Tripe is a must-order dish for hot pot. Every time we go to eat hot pot, if we do not order tripe, it is not really eating hot pot. I do not know whether you have seen online a quick method for swishing tripe, which is to dip it up and down seven times and it is ready to eat, still tender and chewy. This is experience that is generally not shared with others.
Summary: After analyzing the functions of the cow's different stomachs and their uses in daily eating, I believe many people should be able to tell which one is tripe.