Oysters & Balut

By: Aeron Lancero

 

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat and Happy Mahal’s month or Happy Valentine’s month. Today, I share with you two food items considered as aphrodisiac and why. There are many of them, especially specific ingredients. Basil, Bananas, Avocado, Almonds and Dark Chocolate, are a few of them.

The two I am sharing are items that are easily accessible in the Philippines. Here, not so much, especially item number 2.

1. Oysters or Talaba…In the Philippines, especially in places like Cebu, Bohol, Pangasinan, or any place closer to the ocean, oysters are great and many FilAms love them. Shucking them and eating them raw with a little dip into vinegar and garlic is the most popular way of eating oysters. Our oysters, coming from the Pacific Ocean, are usually bigger.

Typically, oysters coming from the West Coast and Asian countries large shells and nice amount of meat. Texturally, not as meaty compared to East Coast oysters or closer to the Atlantic.

Here in the States, almost every seafood restaurant has oysters, and even in many stores around, it is easier to get oysters. But if oysters smell funny, then don’t eat them. No matter how long it stays in vinegar and can hurt your stomach.

Although just the right amount of oysters definitely warms you up and is stated all over the world that it is a natural aphrodisiac. It is also a very popular item ordered during Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, and very romantic dinners. Most oysters are thought to be consumed raw but statistically most people consume oysters cooked and a good percentage is fried. Does it have to same stigma as eating raw? Not sure, there are many conflicting comments to really say based on our beloved internet data. One does come consistent is that raw is definitely more potent when it comes to the story that it is an aphrodisiac. Here are two FilAm restaurants that do serve raw oysters and a few other places that I would recommend.

1. Sunda New Asian

2. e+o Food and Drink (both Fil-Am-owned)

3. Shaw’s crabhouse

4. GT Fish

5. Roka Akor

6. Joe’s Stone Crab

There are many more to mention, and when eating oysters the beverage to enjoy it with are Champagne, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and or Sauvignon Blanc.

2. The next one is very popular in the Filipino culture, Balut, aka “fermented duck egg,” which was a popular dare item on the T.V. show Fear Factor, or any show that makes eating this dish an extreme challenge. Obviously, most Filipinos from the Motherland can handle this easy. Now the youth today, or FilAms born in the States, is actually a very small percentage who has even tried this popular item in the Philippines.

There is a saying on why they usually have it only sold at night. If you’re old enough or have visited the Philippines, you have the street walking vendor yell out |balut” or “penoy.” There are two reasons for this.

1. It is a great item to eat when you are drinking that helps sober you up, but really it is to give you the ability and stamina to provide pleasure for your better-half.

2. It is rich in protein and filling, so the people who worked all day had a reliable item to keep them going. If you ever worked in the Philippines, work days maybe 8 to 10 hours long, but because of commute time, that is another 2-4 hours. So rather than eating a heavy meal, they eat balut or penoy.

A little history on balut and why it has the aphrodisiac components– A balut (spelled standardized as balot) is a developing bird embryo (usually a duck or chicken) that is boiled and eaten from the shell. It originates and is commonly sold as street-food in the Philippines. Balut is no beauty queen.

The 18-day-old fertilized duck egg has revolted even the most daring foodies with its carnal textures, earning it lofty rankings on many a “most disgusting/ strange/terrifying food” list.

While food journalists commonly label balut as the Philippines’ “much loved delicacy,” in reality, Filipinos are decidedly split over their nation’s oftsung snack.

A last common statement made about balut, “it’s good for the knees,” so you can leverage your imagination.

Here are places that do sell balut and or have it on their menu.

1. Chicken Bacolod Haus (FilAm owned)

2. Pho House in Libertyville

I hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s, and I hope you’re inspired in trying Balut if you have not yet tried it.

Thank you to all that have been reading my column and, please if there is anything else you would like for me to share, try and write about, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via info@filameats.com. God Bless you all. Maraming salamat! Till next month…##