Balut (fertilized duck egg) – a simple yet nutritious dish, familiar to Vietnamese people from North to South. It's often served with Vietnamese coriander and a little salt, pepper, and lime, sometimes with a few slices of ginger to enhance the flavor. Many people don't understand why balut should be eaten with Vietnamese coriander instead of other herbs.
Why do we eat fertilized duck eggs with Vietnamese coriander?
Balut, or fertilized duck egg, is a duck egg that has been partially incubated, with the embryo having developed but not yet hatched. This dish is controversial worldwide , but in Vietnam, it is considered a nutritious food, believed to "replenish blood and energy," and is often recommended for those who are weak, sickly, postpartum women, or those recovering from illness.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, fertilized duck eggs are considered cooling (cold) and sweet, helping to nourish the blood, improve intelligence, replenish yin, and boost vitality. Meanwhile, according to modern nutritional research, each fertilized duck egg can provide approximately 180-200 kcal, containing plenty of protein, lipids, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and many other essential minerals for the body.
However, due to its cooling properties, consuming too many or improperly prepared fertilized duck eggs can cause bloating, indigestion, and stomach chills, especially in people with weak constitutions or poor digestive systems. This is where Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) comes into play.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) is warm in nature, spicy in taste, and has the effects of dispelling cold, stimulating digestion, antibacterial, relieving rheumatism, and detoxifying. Traditional medicine also believes that Vietnamese coriander helps warm the stomach, reduce bloating, and prevent cold stomach, making it very suitable to eat with cold dishes such as fertilized duck eggs, duck meat, and seafood.
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, every dish contains either yin or yang elements. A healthy diet depends not only on nutritional content but also on the balance between these elements. In the case of fertilized duck eggs and Vietnamese coriander, this is a prime example of the harmonious combination of yin and yang in cuisine .
Balut (fertilized duck egg) is considered yin (cold) in nature; eating too much can cause stomach chills, bloating, and poor digestion. Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) is yang (warm), which helps neutralize the coldness of the egg. Therefore, eating balut with Vietnamese coriander makes the dish easier to digest, reduces side effects, and stimulates the appetite, making it more delicious.
This combination is not only logical from a traditional medicine perspective but is also supported by modern science . Eating protein-rich foods like fertilized duck eggs with aromatic herbs, especially warming herbs like Vietnamese coriander, can help the body digest protein more easily, reducing the risk of bloating, belching, and discomfort after eating.
Things to note when eating fertilized duck eggs with Vietnamese coriander.
Although the combination of fertilized duck eggs and Vietnamese coriander offers many benefits, you should also note a few points to ensure your health:
- Avoid eating too much: Adults should only eat 1-2 fertilized duck eggs at a time, and should not eat them daily to avoid increasing blood cholesterol levels.
- Pregnant women should limit their consumption of Vietnamese coriander: Vietnamese coriander is believed to cause uterine contractions if consumed in excessive amounts; therefore, pregnant women, especially in the first three months, should limit their consumption of Vietnamese coriander or consult their doctor before using it.
- Children should only eat according to instructions: Although fertilized duck eggs are nutritious, they are not suitable for children under 5 years old due to their weak digestive system, which can easily cause bloating and indigestion.
- Serve with salt, pepper, lemon, and ginger: Ginger is also a warming herb that helps improve digestion. A little shredded ginger or served with salt, pepper, and lemon will further enhance the effect of Vietnamese coriander in balancing the dish.
Eating fertilized duck eggs with Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) is not only a culinary tradition but also a wise choice passed down from our ancestors. Vietnamese coriander, with its warming properties and pungent flavor, not only enhances the taste of the dish but also acts as a medicinal herb, balancing yin and yang, aiding digestion, and protecting the health of the consumer. Therefore, when enjoying fertilized duck eggs, don't forget a pinch of fresh Vietnamese coriander.
PV (compiled)Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/vi-sao-nen-an-trung-vit-lon-voi-rau-ram-412238.html








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