Why Europeans Don’t Eat Turtles (Unlike East Asia)

At President Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural ball in 1865, guests fought over a single dish: green turtle soup. For over a century, turtle was not just food—it was the ultimate symbol of Western high society, eaten by prime ministers, presidents, and royalty. So how did a creature that once defined European and American fine dining become a psychological and legal taboo? And why does East Asia continue to enjoy softshell turtles (ba ba) as a prized delicacy? In this video, we trace the fascinating historical and ecological split between East and West through the history of the turtle. We explore: The Golden Age of Turtle Soup: How live sea turtles were shipped across the Atlantic as luxury goods for London’s elite. The Rise of Mock Turtle: How the scarcity of wild turtles led to the invention of an imitation soup made from calf heads, which eventually replaced the original taste. The Great Conservation Shift: How CITES and the Endangered Species Act in the 1970s legally cemented the turtle’s transition from seafood to protected wildlife. The Pet Revolution: How pets and pop culture (like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) reshaped the Western psyche, turning a former livestock animal into a beloved friend. The East Asian Contrast: How the early domestication of softshell turtles (ba ba) and Traditional Chinese Medicine kept the culinary tradition alive and sustainable. If you enjoyed the video, like, subscribe, and tell us in the comments: Have you ever tried turtle soup or ba ba? #foodhistory #historyexplained #culinaryhistory #culture #documentary