I never intended this blog to be part of any food media industry, but since I blog about food, it somehow comes with responsibilities forced upon me. And I often have to explain myself even though I know what I believe.
Here was my response earlier to comments concerning shark fins:
Thank you for your comments. I understand the controversy with shark finning and agree that it is a barbaric and unnecessary slaughtering of sharks.
Personally, if anyone ever asked me if I would recommend Shark Fin Soup, I would say no. I have never ordered it myself in the past, nor will I ever do so in the future.
Older generations tend to order delicacies associated with the traditional style banquets, which include Shark Fin Soup. Out of respect to my grandfather’s 95th birthday, and the older generations before me, I would lay off them this time. They don’t consider themselves barbaric, I don’t consider them barbaric, and everyone else can think what they wish. Younger generations don’t tend to order shark fin soup, and eventually this part of the tradition will phase out soon over time, due to our knowledge of shark finning and how it affects the world.
And lastly, this post was merely documenting that I attended a celebration in which these dishes were served. Let’s leave it at that.
I thought I was done explaining myself. I guess I never am.
So here I go again….
Shark finning is a barbaric method in which sharks are caught to remove their fins while still alive, then thrown back into the ocean to die. Yes, only the fins. They don’t even use the meat. It can’t get anymore barbaric than that. Obviously, I wouldn’t recommend buying shark fin for any reason whatsoever because it screws up the ocean’s ecosystems and throws everything off balance in the world.
Why are sharks so sought after, you ask? It started out as a delicacy in China because of the shark fin’s ability to absorb other flavors well. It is still mainly served at weddings and banquets because of its luxury status.
If you wanted me to describe the taste, it is extremely bland and tasteless, with a texture of extremely thin noodles. I’m being totally honest here. I was never particularly fond of it, and as you can see on my blog, I’m not much for cooking delicacies.
If you would like a great Chinese soup, I would recommend any Chinese seafood soup with shrimp or fish, or imitation shark fin soup with mung bean vermicelli noodles. Not only does the imitation soup taste identical to the real thing (since shark fin and vermicelli are both bland), it costs a fraction of the price.
All I did was take some pictures of some food at a banquet. I didn’t buy the soup at the table. I didn’t advertise the soup on my blog. I didn’t go ‘hey everyone, you have to butcher some sharks and make this soup at home!’ In fact, being one of the most obnoxious, mouthy, opinionated family members as long as I can remember, I did try to persuade people to lay off the soup. For years, and years, and years. I can picket right on top of that Lazy Susan on the banquet table as they’re eating, but then I become a major nuisance to really ignore.
On top of that, I’m trying to leave my family on good terms. You know, before I leave and move across the country. Picking a fight about soup is not on my list of things to do before I say goodbye.
And one last thing. This is a BLOG, people. I document cooking, food, and my life. You can take it whichever way you choose to. But I never intended to use this as a tool to force my beliefs, politics, or opinions on others. If you would wish to do so, please make a website of your own. And get off my back, please.
Candy,
Don’t let the haters get you down. What wieners. I just had shark fin soup at a wedding and it was gross, so I didn’t eat much of it. The older people at my table gave me nasty looks, since I’m sure I was leaving ten dollars worth of soup, WASTE! DISRESPECT! but whatever. Just remember that trolls are trolls, and you can’t please everybody, nor should you try, but that pleasing your grandparents is definitely more important than pleasing the snarky portion of your readership.
Thanks Jenny. I’m so glad you understand. I guess I’m just aggravated. I don’t have a ‘position’ in the food industry. Writing this is not my job. I have a problem with trying to please everyone, and I hate the way it affects the way I write, like I’m trying not to offend anyone. It’s tiring. Just…augh.
these are the things i hate about the internets. do these people regularly read your blog or did they just search for you in order to complain?
i don’t agree with a lot of things, but telling an entire culture that their beliefs and practices are wrong because they bother you personally is ridiculous. especially when it’s coming from americans, who have probably done more damage to the planet than the rest of the world multiplied together.
I won’t clutter up the comments because ditto what Jenny and Bonnie both said.
Do the people who commented even read your blog…the comments seemed so out of place. You’d think you had just posted an advertisement for the world to go out and have shark fin soup.
Bonnie – good point. I think they google it regularly to complain.
April – the comments do seem out of place. I can’t tell how how many comments went into my spam yesterday. the few I left up were ok and they said what they had to say.
I’m sure they have an ax to grind, probably PETA types who have set up a google alert for “shark fin”. When you’re writing for public consumption, you have to take the good with the bad. Alas, those who would complain or deride are the ones who most often take the time to write, but don’t let them tell you how or what to write!
Just wanted to throw you my support, too. Sometimes people communicating on the internet can lack the perspective that’s easier to see in real life. i.e. judging everything as a matter of black & white rather than considering the shades of grey in a particular scenario.
Respecting your grandfather and his traditions is one of those shades of grey and I honestly think that most of us would have done the same thing you did.
In life, we gotta pick our battles. :)
ps. your grandfather looks amazing for 95. he looks so happy and so healthy. it’s amazing to be 95, let alone to look a generation younger. this should have been the first thing i said.
Ditto to all of the above :)
Chey – You sure know your stuff. I guess you are right, since there’s a facebook group out there who linked to my site so they can whine and complain about me behind my back. It’s nice to know I somehow stirred up so much controversy. People will always have a problem with SOMETHING. And if they do, why can’t they all go to their local congressman? Or go find all the fisherman and talk to them? I think people just like to complain and find their easy targets online. As they are sitting at their computer desks.
Mommy’s Midlife – It’s like you read my mind and wrote everything down I was thinking. But better. Well said.
Bonnie – Thank you very much. I really hope my memories of him before I go still remain good ones, except that I felt like I just ruined his birthday on my blog.
Irish Pirate – Thanks :)