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A Taste For Cuy.

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Ward County Notary Services 607851

Titus and Philemon have reason to look worried. Cuy is what the meat of a guinea pig is called. Cuy is the Unexpected Star of Peruvian Cuisine.

When exploring the unique gastronomy of South America, cuy truly captures the essence of the Andes. This rodent, commonly known as the guinea pig, has been a vital part of the Andean diet since pre-Columbian times. Its unique flavor and significant nutritional value make it a standout culinary choice in countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

While the thought of eating a guinea Pig turns my stomach (because we have owned them as beloved pets) they are an important part of the food chain for many.

I have no idea what cuy smells like on the stove or dinner plate but I can tell you that if it smells unusual it may be a Real Estate problem... Say WHAAAT!

During my career I delt with three homes in which the owners were very big in serving greasy fried fish several times a week. Two of those Sellers owned ethnic restaurants and entertained nearly nightly. I had entered both homes during the day with potential Buyers only to find the dining table piled high with food and nobody home. It was always very uncomfortable even though I had warned the potential Buyers what to expect.

It can be hard to tell a client that their lifestyle may make it hard to sell their home, even in a hot market. It's best NOT to candy coat the facts to your Seller. If you know it's going to be a hard sale, and you want to keep your sanity, you need to be up front during your listing interview.

 

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Do you enjoy the cartoons written by my son (Timmothy N. Timm) which I use as a springboard to write my daily posts? His strip, Titus & Philemon, has run in two newspapers for years as well as being printed in my blog every day. Titus & Philemon (pronounced Phi - Lee -Man) are guinea pigs. Their owner is Joe. Timmothy has never repeated a joke/comic strip in the 12 years he has been writing it. He has never copied another strip, such as Peanuts or Garfield. You can follow Timmothy on FB as Titus & Philemon and you can also check him out on Instagram as Instagram.com/titus and philemon/ .For Timmothy's website type timmtimmothy.com into your browser. I tried to put it in a link here but it refuses to work. Do NOT put anything in front of timmtimmothy.com or it will not work. 

Comments(8)

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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Bob... I just can't imagine eating a guinea pig! As for cooking smells... I remember showing a home a few years ago where the smell of curry and spices was so strong, we all had tears coming down our faces in about 60 seconds. As you might imagine, we did not spend a lot of time looking at that home. 

Apr 06, 2026 05:48 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Bob "RealMan" Timm that's one way to get rid of the smell! :)

Apr 06, 2026 06:28 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I am all too familiar with the situation Nina Hollander, Broker . I had a neighbor who lived on the fish he pulled out of the river near our home. I was really glad the smell stayed contained with-in his four walls. The house was a little run-down shack. My neighbor on the other side of the shack and I purchased the house, knocked it down, and split the lot.

Apr 06, 2026 06:15 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Monday morning, Bob. I have never thought about guinea pigs as a food item. 

Home buyers do expect odor free homes

Apr 06, 2026 06:16 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I don't like the idea of people eating guinea pigs Roy Kelley as they are wonderful pets BUT in the areas that they are eaten it is an important food source to many.

Apr 06, 2026 06:25 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

When we were in Peru we saw Cuy on menus and on stalls in the markets, but as Annie is an animal lover and we move more and more towards a plant based diet we did not partake.

Apr 06, 2026 06:53 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Thank you for not ordering the Cuy Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 😉.

Apr 06, 2026 07:01 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

That was an interesting read and a great way to tie a cultural topic back to real estate.

You make a solid point—smells and lifestyle habits inside a home can absolutely impact a buyer’s experience, sometimes more than sellers realize.

Being honest with sellers about those factors is part of doing the job well. It may be a tough conversation, but it helps protect their outcome in the end.

Good reminder that presentation goes beyond what we see—it includes what we experience.

Apr 06, 2026 06:59 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

That is exactly right Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 . While the smell of pet urine has destroyed interest much more often that food smells the point is a house just shouldn't smell at all (except maybe fresh paint). 😉

Apr 06, 2026 07:51 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

It is true, my boy tried it when he went to Peru. He said it tastes like chicken. 

Apr 06, 2026 07:11 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Your son is more adventurous than I am Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty and I'd maybe eat it if I was not told what it is/was. 😖

Apr 06, 2026 07:52 AM
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Hello Bob "RealMan" Timm great post on taste for Cuy. A few times taking clients to show homes foods on the table and smell in the house not comfortable. Hope you and your family had a great Easter.  

Apr 06, 2026 11:14 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

It was a very pleasant and quite Easter John Pusa . I wish it would have been a little warmer but it was still great. How about you?

Apr 06, 2026 12:59 PM
John Pusa

It was a pleasant Easter Bob "RealMan" Timm and it was a little warmer in my area.

Apr 06, 2026 08:57 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Bob- the first home I staged was owned by a lovely couple. The home was spotless and well-edited. However their particular cooking menu used a lot of spices that could be detected as soon as you entered the home. 

Apr 06, 2026 07:12 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I'm curious how your first stagging went Kathy Streib ?

Apr 07, 2026 06:52 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Hmm, I don't know if I would even want to try to do that, haha.  I abstain from meat on Fridays, but on the other days, meat is what I eat the most of, haha.

Apr 07, 2026 06:59 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm

I'm right there with you Brian England . That is why I tried the meat only diet.

Apr 07, 2026 07:06 AM