Shark fin soup facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Shark's fin soup |
|---|---|
| Type | Soup |
| Place of origin | China |
| Main ingredients | Shark fins, broth |
Shark fin soup is a special soup or stew. It is served in parts of China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The shark fins in the soup give it a unique texture. The actual taste comes from the other ingredients in the broth. People often eat this soup at big events like weddings or banquets. It is seen as a very fancy and expensive dish.
However, many groups are against shark fin soup. The Humane Society International says that about 72 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. This practice is called shark finning. There are big worries about how this affects shark populations. People are also concerned about the well-being of sharks. Recently, some health issues have come up too. Shark fins can have high levels of a harmful substance called BMAA.
Because of these problems, new types of shark fin soup are now available. These versions do not use real shark fins. This helps protect sharks and the environment.
Contents
How Shark Fin Soup is Made
Traditional shark fin soup uses fins from different kinds of sharks. First, the raw fins are cleaned. Workers remove the skin and tiny scales called denticles. Then, they cut the fins into shapes. Sometimes, they bleach the fins to make them look better.
You can buy shark fins in many forms. They are sold dried, cooked, wet, or frozen. You can also find ready-to-eat shark fin soup in Asian markets. Dried fins need to be soaked to become soft before cooking.
What Shark Fin Soup Tastes Like
The fins themselves do not have much taste. The flavor of the soup comes from the broth it is cooked in. People eat shark fins for their special texture. It is often described as "snappy" or "gelatinous." Some say it is "chewy" or "stringy." One writer called it "somewhere between chewy and crunchy."
Health Effects of Shark Fin Soup
In Chinese culture, some people believe shark fins are good for health. They think fins can make skin better or boost energy. Some also believe they help prevent heart disease or lower cholesterol. In traditional Chinese medicine, shark fins are thought to help with many body parts. These include the kidneys, lungs, and bones.
Some claims say shark fins can fight cancer. But there is no scientific proof for this. Studies have shown that shark cartilage does not help treat cancer. There is no scientific evidence that shark fins can treat any medical condition. Sharks can also collect toxins in their bodies. This means eating shark meat might increase the risk of dementia or mercury poisoning.
WildAid, a group that protects wildlife, has warned about eating too much shark fin. They say it could cause sterility in men. Large fish like sharks, tuna, and swordfish often have high levels of mercury. The United States Food and Drug Administration advises certain groups to avoid fish high in mercury. This includes nursing mothers, young children, and pregnant women.
Shark fins also contain high amounts of BMAA. This is a harmful substance for the brain. Eating shark fin soup might increase the risk of brain diseases. These include Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Even fake shark fins can sometimes contain toxins.
History of Shark Fin Soup
People have eaten shark fin soup for a long time. It was mentioned in writings from the Ming dynasty. By the Qing dynasty, it was a common dish at important banquets. In Chinese cuisine, it was seen as one of the eight most valuable foods from the sea. Chinese emperors liked it because it was rare. It also needed a lot of work to prepare.
The soup became even more popular in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This happened as people's lives got better. A cooking guide from the Qing dynasty, the Suiyuan shidan, shows how shark fin was used. It was eaten as soup, stew, or even stir-fried. But first, the fin had to be boiled for two days.
Concerns for Sharks and the Environment
The fins used in the soup are the cartilaginous dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins of sharks. These fins are often taken using a method called shark finning. In this process, only the fins are kept. The rest of the shark's body is thrown back into the ocean. The shark is often still alive but cannot swim or survive. This practice is a big threat to shark populations around the world.
Many groups are working to stop people from eating shark fin soup. These include Fins Attached, Shark Savers, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. They are worried about the number of sharks being killed. They also highlight how sharks are treated badly during finning.
Many large hotel chains have stopped serving shark fin soup. These include Marriott International and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. They want to offer sustainable seafood instead. Big supermarkets in Singapore, like Cold Storage, have also stopped selling shark fins. Hong Kong Disneyland removed the soup from its menu. They could not find a way to get fins that was good for the environment.
Malaysia's government has banned shark fin soup at official events. This is part of their promise to protect shark species.
In the United States, several states and territories have banned shark fin sales. These include Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and California. This has made the soup unavailable in these areas. Illinois was the first non-Pacific state to ban shark fin trade. In 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Shark Conservation Act. This law made it harder to get shark fins illegally. California's governor, Jerry Brown, also signed a law banning shark fin possession and sale. He mentioned the cruelty of finning and the harm to the environment.
In Canada, some cities have tried to ban shark fin soup. Vancouver and Toronto both worked on bans. Toronto's ban was later overturned by a court. Calgary also banned it but then put the ban on hold.
On July 2, 2012, the Chinese government announced a ban. Shark fin soup can no longer be served at official banquets. This change might take some time to fully happen. This is because the dish is very important in Chinese culture.
The group Bite-Back has campaigned against shark fin soup in Britain. Because of their efforts, a famous Chinese restaurant in London, Hakkasan, stopped selling the soup. Well-known people like Gordon Ramsay have supported this campaign. In 2019, WildAid worked on a campaign in Taiwan. They wanted to encourage people to stop eating shark fin soup.
Imitation Shark Fin Soup
Imitation shark fin soup is a noodle soup. It is often sold by street vendors in Hong Kong. It is a common street snack. This soup is a kinder and cheaper choice than real shark fin soup.
A popular, low-cost imitation soup is made with vermicelli noodles. It is widely available in Asia. These soups can also be made from cellophane noodles. Seafood companies in Asia have also created special gelatin products. These products copy the texture of real shark fins. They are called "imitation shark fins."
Imitation Shark Fins
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There are many things that can be used instead of real shark fins. These include imitation shark fin, konjac gel, and different types of noodles. "Mock shark's fin" soup first appeared in Hong Kong in the 1970s. It became popular in China in the 1990s. In these soups, imitation fins are used. Other ingredients like edible mushrooms, kelps, and bean sprouts are added.
Imitation shark fin is often from Japan, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. In Chinese, it is called sùchì, meaning "vegetarian fin." One recipe for it uses water, gelatin, and other ingredients. These create the chewy texture of real shark fins. However, some imitation fins soak up the broth faster than real ones.
Konjac gel can also be used as a substitute. It is cut into thin strips. While cellophane noodles are also an option, some cooks find them too soft. They might not hold up well during cooking. So, imitation shark fin or konjac gel are often preferred. Other substitutes include "shark fin melon" (a type of squash), chicken breast, and pig's skin.
In 2015, a company in San Francisco worked on a new imitation shark fin. It was made from ingredients from algae and special proteins. Alternatives to shark fin are cheaper and easier to cook. You can find them in Asian supermarkets.
Images for kids
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Yao Ming, a former NBA basketball player who campaigned against shark fin soup.
See also
In Spanish: Sopa de aleta de tiburón para niños
- Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, another soup that can contain shark fin
- List of Chinese soups
- Three grand soups
- Shark finning
