Turtle soup

Turtle soup, also called terrapin soup, is a special kind of soup or stew made from the meat of turtles. People in many different places around the world have enjoyed this food for a long time, and in some cultures it is considered a very special and fancy dish.

The soup can be made in many different ways, depending on the type of turtle used and the traditions of the place where it is made. Turtles used for this soup are often special kinds that live in water, like sea turtles or certain freshwater turtles.

Eating turtle soup has been a part of history in many cultures, and it is often seen as a delicacy, meaning something special and enjoyed by many. However, today there are also important discussions about protecting turtles and making sure we don’t harm their populations.

Culinary description

The main feature of turtle meat is that the broth becomes very jelly-like once it cools down. Turtle meat itself doesn’t have a special taste, so the flavor of turtle soup comes from the seasonings used. There is also a version called mock turtle soup, which is made from other meats that produce a similar jelly, like calf’s head and feet.

Versions

England

Turtle soup became popular in England in the 1750s but its popularity dropped about 150 years later because too many turtles were caught. From 1761 to 1825, turtle soup was always served at important London banquets. Green sea turtles were brought to England and were liked for their meat, which was said to taste like a mix of veal and lobster. Recipes for turtle soup started with roasting or boiling the turtles before making the soup. Over time, the turtle population decreased because so many were eaten, making turtle soup very expensive. Because of this, a cheaper version called mock turtle soup, made from calf’s head, became popular.

United States

In the United States, turtle soup is a thick, brown soup that looks like meat gravy. The common snapping turtle is usually used, and the soup may also be called bookbinder soup or snapper turtle soup. In places like the Chesapeake Bay and San Francisco Bay, other turtles like the diamondback terrapin and Pacific pond turtle were also used for soup. Historically, turtles were commonly served to servants, slaves, and animals, but slaves later asked that terrapin not be served more than three times a week. In 2016, a restaurant in Minnesota still served turtle soup, but mostly older customers ordered it.

Poisoning

Eating the meat of some sea turtles can make a person very sick. This is because it can cause a rare kind of food illness called chelonitoxism, which can be very dangerous.