A balut is a fertilized bird egg (usually a duck) which is incubated for a period of 14 to 21 days, depending on the local culture, and then steamed. The contents are eaten directly from the shell. Balut that is incubated for longer periods have a well-developed embryo and the features of the duckling are recognizable. The partially-developed embryo bones are soft enough to chew and swallow as a whole. The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchus), also known as the "Pateros duck", is often used to make balut.
Balut is common street food in the Philippines and other localities, and is also sold in stores and malls. It is a relatively cheap source of protein and calcium.[4] Balut was introduced to the Philippines by the Chinese in 1565[5] or around 1885 and since then, balut has been included as a traditional part of the culture.[6] Wherever Filipinos migrated for work, a large market for balut would develop. Controversies arose as knowledge of the food spread around the Southeast Asian countries and then globally. People have questioned the ethics of eating balut.
Balut is a cheap and accessible source of protein in Southeast Asia. They are brimming with vitamin C and beta carotene, two potent antioxidants that assist your immune system by removing free radicals from your bloodstream. They also contain niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine, which support energy metabolism.
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