Aside from colorful costumes, dances and music, another element of a culture that stands out is food. In the Philippines, balut raises eyebrows not only among foreigners but Filipinos alike.
Balut is considered the most iconic and exotic delicacy in the Philippines. A hard boiled duck egg with 2-3 weeks into development, the embryo is already duck -like with complete body parts: feathers, skull, beak, and feet.
Balut is a staple item in bus stops. Vendors also peddle in the streets as they shout "baluuut" to attract attention where both men and women, young and old, rush to get one. It's name is derived from its physical feature as it is balut sa puti (wrapped in white).
Maria, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who has never eaten balut her entire life, "pities" the young ducks. "How could I crush the skull and eat the remaining parts?" she adds.
Cris has another thought. He imagines the embryo as it crawls when the egg is cracked especially if the feathers have fully developed. But asked if he recommends, he enthusiastically said "yes" with a thumbs up!
Balut is cooked on the day it is sold and eaten. If stocked, the savory sauce will evaporate. Unlike the regular boiled egg, the egg yolk of the balut is soft! The bones are also tender.
Apart from the appearance, the possible health hazard of the feathers is also considered. Though he admits the balut sauce is really savory, college student Reynard says the feathers have adverse health effects if taken in.
Instead of depriving herself from eating this special deli, Julie notes she eats everything except the chick."The soup and the yolk is already okay,"she adds.
But "consuming" feathers seem to have some health benefits. In a study of PhD students Emma Crum and Yanita McLeay from Massey University's School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, it was found out that feathers could have potential as a supplement for individuals who want to maintain lean body mass.
Prof. Steve Stannard, one of the research supervisors, explains that people don't eat feathers because the stomach cannot digest them. But underscored that feathers are full of protein. The feathers given to the participants in the study went through a process called acid hydrolysis.
Aside from indigestion of the feathers, others say that excessive consumption of balut causes hypertension. But what does science say?
Manila-based Dr. Velasques says, "Anything salty and fatty contributes to the development of hypertension." No wonder why Mike, who has hypertension, says he will only eat one once his blood pressure stabilizes.
Its taste and "exoticism" make balut even more appealing. With the innovations in the food industry, will it make it to the mainstream?
Oh! I've heard, that a Filipino restaurant in New York called Maharlika offers balut for $5.00! They also hold an annual balut eating contest every August.
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| PHOTO by SNT |
Balut is considered the most iconic and exotic delicacy in the Philippines. A hard boiled duck egg with 2-3 weeks into development, the embryo is already duck -like with complete body parts: feathers, skull, beak, and feet.
Balut is a staple item in bus stops. Vendors also peddle in the streets as they shout "baluuut" to attract attention where both men and women, young and old, rush to get one. It's name is derived from its physical feature as it is balut sa puti (wrapped in white).
Maria, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who has never eaten balut her entire life, "pities" the young ducks. "How could I crush the skull and eat the remaining parts?" she adds.
Cris has another thought. He imagines the embryo as it crawls when the egg is cracked especially if the feathers have fully developed. But asked if he recommends, he enthusiastically said "yes" with a thumbs up!
Balut is cooked on the day it is sold and eaten. If stocked, the savory sauce will evaporate. Unlike the regular boiled egg, the egg yolk of the balut is soft! The bones are also tender.
Apart from the appearance, the possible health hazard of the feathers is also considered. Though he admits the balut sauce is really savory, college student Reynard says the feathers have adverse health effects if taken in.
Instead of depriving herself from eating this special deli, Julie notes she eats everything except the chick."The soup and the yolk is already okay,"she adds.
But "consuming" feathers seem to have some health benefits. In a study of PhD students Emma Crum and Yanita McLeay from Massey University's School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, it was found out that feathers could have potential as a supplement for individuals who want to maintain lean body mass.
Prof. Steve Stannard, one of the research supervisors, explains that people don't eat feathers because the stomach cannot digest them. But underscored that feathers are full of protein. The feathers given to the participants in the study went through a process called acid hydrolysis.
Aside from indigestion of the feathers, others say that excessive consumption of balut causes hypertension. But what does science say?
Manila-based Dr. Velasques says, "Anything salty and fatty contributes to the development of hypertension." No wonder why Mike, who has hypertension, says he will only eat one once his blood pressure stabilizes.
Its taste and "exoticism" make balut even more appealing. With the innovations in the food industry, will it make it to the mainstream?
Oh! I've heard, that a Filipino restaurant in New York called Maharlika offers balut for $5.00! They also hold an annual balut eating contest every August.
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