Shark fin soup - Definition and Overview

Shark fin soup is a recipe commonly served in Chinese restaurants as a main course, or in smaller portions, as an entrée.

The name of this soup is not a figure of speech; it is actually made with real sharks' fins. The fins are first trimmed, dried, then bleached before the membrane is broiled with chicken stock and other ingredients prior to being served. Considered a highly pricey delicacy, the best shark fin soup can fetch up to US$100 per bowl. In places where they are highly demanded like in Hong Kong, genuine sharks' fins can sell for US$400 per kilogram.

According to wildlife conservationists, much of the sharks' fins are commonly cut from living sharks in a process called finning, which are then thrown back into the sea to die. This activity is vigorously opposed by animal welfare groups.

External links

• http://www.sharkfriends.com/sharkfinning.html