The Philippines is known for plenty of wonderful things ranging from the beautiful tropical island paradise, to polite and cheerful people. Along with these wonderful things are the different gastronomic experiences, one would have, once they seek that kind of adventure here in the Philippines.

Previously, I have talked about one, which may have looked upsetting for many, the Tamilok. A weird treat that resembles that of a Woodworm that feeds on decaying trees (Mangroves) but is actually a type of oyster in nature. (It tastes that of an Oyster that's for sure)

Today, is another gastronomic adventure day. Another weird kind, and I hope it is not as upsetting looking as that of the Tamilok, but you be the judge.

Meet the...

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Balut!

Balut, or often spelled as Balot, is a developing duck embryo that is boiled or steamed and then eaten from the shell along with some salt and spiced vinegar.

oh hello there, little fella!

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But the Balut was not originally a Filipino dish. It is said that the Balut originated from China and was introduced to the Filipinos in the late 1800s. Ever since then, it has been part of the Filipino Gastronomic Traditions, a Filipino beer-match.
Wherever there are Filipinos that reside, an eventual market of Balut would usually appear.

And I am happy to say that even our South East Asian neighbors have taken a liking to the Balut and can already be found in the streets of Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand to name a few.

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The Balut Controversy

The existence of Balut is not without criticism as the consumption of it is being questioned for its ethics. It has raised questions in terms of religion, animal welfare and even our very own health concerns.

On a personal note, I have high respects for these criticism, as someone who has lived in the Philippines - if it is your first time looking at Balut, it looks that of which should not be eaten in the first place.

The consumption of Balut is even regarded as Taboo, belonging to the weird food category. Along with this, it is present in the shows of Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods), and even Challenges from Survivor and Amazing Races and even Fear Factor.

"If it looks good, eat it." - Andrew Zimmern
But in this case, it doesn't, but we still eat it.

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Why would you put it in your mouth?

The moment you crack open that steamy hot egg shell, you would start to notice the juice seeping out in the corner and then an eventual, "Suck the Juice!", from your friends. Crack it some more only to see the insides, a sight you can find in a Sci-Fi Movie, or the X-Files TV Show, or maybe that of Jabba the Hutt's banquet.

A dash of salt and a splash of vinegar after, you put everything in your mouth - chewing bones and all - swallowing everything leaving the white part of the egg to be spat out (It's very hard or chewy).

"Why?" You ask...

The taste of the juice alone reminds you that of an egg soup, seasoned perfectly. Something you could say, would have plenty of MSG. It is just that this time, it doesn't, but the flavor is rich and superb.
The yolk, taste that of soft buttery goodness.

And depending on how long the egg was incubated, you would either taste the actual duckbryo that sometimes have feathers developed already, or to the younger ones where it did not even develop anything yet - similar to that of a hard boiled chicken egg.
All that, along with the spiced vinegar and that tad bit of salt - all those flavors fuses together into one amazing mouthful.

Talk about imagination...

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Health Benefits? No.. Aphrodisiac.

Talking about health benefits (Just to Justify Why I am eating this), the Balut is rich in protein and calcium. A serving of Balut contains about 180 calories, including about 15 grams each of protein and fat, 2mg of iron and 115 mg of calcium.

Imagine this...

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Those nutrition facts and their individual purpose can be researched on your own, but the reason why we, Filipinos, go out of our way to devour this snack is because of these beliefs:

• The Consumption of Balut is like a passage towards becoming a Man.
• Along with the passage of being a Man, it strengthens a Man's properties in the sexual arts.

Expounding on the latter belief, the consumption of Balut is believed to impart on the Man the energy required to have the steamiest sexual exchanges in bed. It is said to strengthen ones knees for the sole purpose of.. well you know what that means.

To be eaten like this...

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Along with that, it also helps stimulate the desire which creates the need for a hot sexual activity. So the purpose of why women also eat this alien snack? I guess because of this very nature.

Or so they say... as I cannot find any scientific research made on this subject matter.

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Finish Line!

I have never really thought about why the Balut is only being sold at night, up to now.

The darkness in the night masks the looks of the Balut as you crack the egg open - it would not look as terrifying as it is, in the dark. I guess. The same goes for having it as a beer match - the more drunk you are, the lesser you would be picky on the things you put in your mouth right?

But all those said of Balut, it's popularity is somehow diminishing even in its home turf. Maybe it is just because the taste of the Filipinos are slowly westernizing, or basically Millennials having outgrown the love for it. Somehow, it cannot be helped to associate Balut as a treat for the impoverished. And those that aspire to get out of poverty, think less that would contain them in it, Balut included.

Nevertheless, Balut is still something I would enjoy from time to time, but not all the time. We can call it disgusting, but after having it a part of our tradition, as well as the early days of my life, the taste just gets back to me. The longing is there, though not always.

I definitely had a great time reading, researching and creating this article for the Balut. And after all that is said and done, I am tempted to buy a Balut for @shote.said because of it being an Aphrodisiac and all. But definitely there is a time for that soon.

So, if you enjoyed, and learned from this awesome gastronomic adventure, please FOLLOW me, as I am planning to do more good to know stuff from the Philippines.
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Check out my previous Good to Know Articles:

• Good to Know: Tamilok (Teredo Navalis), A Philippine Delicacy
• Good to Know: The Philippine Tarsier (Carlito Syrichta)
• Good to Know: Lanzones (Lansium parasiticum), The Golden Bunch!
• Good to Know: Apo Whang-Od - The Living Legend

See you guys on the next Good to Know...

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@newkidintown

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All credit goes to the photo's respective owners. I own none of these pictures. They are as stated on the sources provided.