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> turtles had the misfortune in the nineteenth century of pleasing the palates of wealthy Europeans and Americans, who found the gelatinous “green fat” under th

by ipsum2 6y ago

> turtles had the misfortune in the nineteenth century of pleasing the palates of wealthy Europeans and Americans, who found the gelatinous “green fat” under the turtle’s shell a particular delicacy [...] Wealthy men in New York expressed their passion for turtle meat by joining “turtle clubs,” convening each season for meals in which the reptile’s flesh formed the center of every course—soups, steaks, chowders, and salads Wow, what an interesting fad. I'm curious about what turtle tastes like, and if it has any comparisons with fatty tuna (otoro) or wagyu. Edit: Like veal, apparently: https://reason.com/2010/03/09/sea-turtle-tastes-like-veal/ https://reason.com/2010/03/09/sea-turtle-tastes-like-veal/. Also, according to the article, farming may be a sustainable source of sea turtle meat.

tasogare 6y ago
Same story in China, where turtles disappeared millenia ago after being hunted for making dishes. Interestingly, they were also used as a writing support.
- throwaway_pdp09 6y ago
  If you post something intriguing, such as about being a "writing support", please provide a link! It's sounds so interesting.
fouc 6y ago
> Green sea turtles have a relatively slow growth rate because of the low nutritional value of their diet. Body fat turns green because of the consumed vegetation.[61] This diet shift has an effect on the green turtle's skull morphology.[63] Their serrated jaw helps them chew algae and sea grasses.[64] Most adult sea turtles are strictly herbivorous.[61] They might not be very efficient for farming for food without some breeding perhaps. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle
sradman 6y ago
During the Age of Discovery, live sea turtles were captured and stored in the hulls of ships as a source of fresh protein. Because of their slow metabolism, turtles can live a long time while tightly packed in the hull. Sailors would gather female turtles when they nested on shore. It is my understanding that some coral fringed islands that served as turtle nesting sites had a channel blown out of the reef using explosives. These channels are still used for the main pier and modern boat traffic.
atulatul 6y ago
How The Giant Tortoise Got Its Name... not turtle but you know Another BBC QI clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPggB4MfPnk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPggB4MfPnk

by ipsum2 6y ago

tasogare 6y ago

Same story in China, where turtles disappeared millenia ago after being hunted for making dishes. Interestingly, they were also used as a writing support.

throwaway_pdp09 6y ago
If you post something intriguing, such as about being a "writing support", please provide a link! It's sounds so interesting.

fouc 6y ago

> Green sea turtles have a relatively slow growth rate because of the low nutritional value of their diet. Body fat turns green because of the consumed vegetation.[61] This diet shift has an effect on the green turtle's skull morphology.[63] Their serrated jaw helps them chew algae and sea grasses.[64] Most adult sea turtles are strictly herbivorous.[61] They might not be very efficient for farming for food without some breeding perhaps. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle

sradman 6y ago

During the Age of Discovery, live sea turtles were captured and stored in the hulls of ships as a source of fresh protein. Because of their slow metabolism, turtles can live a long time while tightly packed in the hull. Sailors would gather female turtles when they nested on shore. It is my understanding that some coral fringed islands that served as turtle nesting sites had a channel blown out of the reef using explosives. These channels are still used for the main pier and modern boat traffic.

atulatul 6y ago

How The Giant Tortoise Got Its Name... not turtle but you know Another BBC QI clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPggB4MfPnk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPggB4MfPnk