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Boil Balut Eggs: Add This Ingredient to Eliminate Odor and Enhance Sweetness

Many eateries resort to boiling their balut in this to remove the gamey smell of the egg.

23 April, 2024

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Why You Should Boil Balut in Coconut Water

Balut is both a delicious and nutritious snack, especially considering its low cost in comparison to other snacks or meals. It can be enjoyed either as a breakfast item or a snack throughout the day.

Normally, when boiling balut, the eggs are simply placed in a pot, covered with water, and boiled until cooked. While this method is simple and certainly gets the job done, it doesn’t necessarily provide the most flavorful results.

However, if you add a bit of coconut water when boiling balut, you’ll end up with a dish that is both flavorful and aromatic, sure to delight the taste buds of even the pickiest of eaters. This trick is used by many people for good reason. Balut boiled in coconut water ends up tasting naturally sweeter and more fragrant.

Balut boiled in coconut water ends up tasting naturally sweeter and more fragrant.

You should choose a coconut that has firm coconut flesh so that the extracted coconut water will be sweeter and have a clearer taste. When boiling, add some smashed fresh ginger to help remove any fishy odor. If you don’t have any coconut water, you can also add salt and sugar to the water to give the balut a stronger flavor.

Instructions: Bring the coconut water to a boil in a pot, then add the balut eggs. Use a spoon to gently place the eggs in the water to avoid breaking them. Once the eggs begin to set, gently stir them to ensure even cooking.

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and boil the eggs for about 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the pot for another 5 minutes to continue cooking. Avoid taking the eggs out too early, as this could result in undercooked eggs that are unappetizing and potentially unsafe to eat. You can test whether the eggs are cooked by using chopsticks to grip them; if they’re easy to grip, the eggs are done.

Coconut water has many applications in cooking. By boiling balut in coconut water, you can create a dish that is both flavorful and free of any fishy odor.

How to Choose High-Quality Balut Eggs

To choose the best balut eggs, opt for younger eggs, as they are more tender and packed with more nutrients. To test the eggs, you can hold them up to a light and examine the head of the egg. If you see a large air pocket at the top of the egg, this is a sign that the egg is older. Conversely, if the air pocket is small, the balut egg is younger.

When holding the egg, if you feel that the shell is slightly rough and has a bit of white residue, this is a sign of a good egg. Older balut eggs tend to have a greenish-blue color, a hard shell, and are drier and less nutritious. Avoid purchasing any eggs that feel light or make a rattling sound, as these could be signs that the egg has been stored for too long or has gone bad.

Another method of testing balut eggs is to submerge them in water. Fresh, good-quality eggs will be heavy and sink to the bottom of the container. If the eggs float to the surface, they may not be as fresh and should be inspected further before consuming.

After purchasing your balut eggs, if you’re not planning on using them right away, store them in a cool, dry place. However, avoid storing the eggs for too long, as the duck embryo inside will continue to develop, making the egg older and tougher. Before cooking, rinse the eggs under running water to remove any dirt or debris from the shell.

Things to Keep in Mind When Eating Balut

– Pair balut with ginger and Vietnamese coriander. This is a harmonious combination that provides balance for your body. Vietnamese coriander and ginger have a spicy, warm flavor and can help prevent bloating, act as an antiseptic, and dispel coldness. Therefore, they can help alleviate an upset stomach, bloating, and slow digestion.

– Eat balut in the morning to give your body energy for the day’s activities. Avoid eating it in the evening or late at night, as this can lead to indigestion and weight gain.

– Don’t eat too much balut in one day or on a regular basis, as this can increase your levels of bad cholesterol, potentially contributing to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased protein levels, which is not ideal for people with gout.

– Don’t eat more than two balut eggs in one sitting. Generally speaking, most people shouldn’t eat more than two per week.

– Don’t store cooked balut eggs overnight, as they can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, which can have negative effects on your health.

Frequently asked questions

Opt for a coconut with firm flesh, as it will yield sweeter and clearer-tasting coconut water. This will enhance the overall flavor of your balut dish.

Yes, adding some smashed fresh ginger to the coconut water helps eliminate any fishy odor. This combination ensures your balut has a pleasant aroma and taste.

If coconut water is unavailable, you can boil the balut eggs in water with added salt and sugar. This will give the balut a stronger flavor.

Bring the coconut water to a boil in a pot, then gently place the balut eggs into the water using a spoon to avoid breaking them. Stir gently once the eggs start to set to ensure even cooking. Reduce the heat to low and boil for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the pot for an additional 5 minutes. Use chopsticks to test if the eggs are cooked; they should be easy to grip when done.

Coconut water is versatile and can be used in various culinary applications. When used in boiling balut, it not only enhances the flavor but also helps eliminate any fishy odor, resulting in a more appealing dish.

Younger balut eggs tend to be more tender and nutrient-rich. Examine the head of the egg by holding it up to a light; a smaller air pocket indicates a younger egg. Also, look for eggs with slightly rough shells and a bit of white residue, which are signs of freshness.

Older balut eggs tend to have a greenish-blue color, hard shells, and are drier and less nutritious. Avoid eggs that feel light or make a rattling sound, as these could be spoiled or stored for too long.

Yes, you can submerge the eggs in water. Fresh, good-quality eggs will sink to the bottom, while floating eggs may indicate reduced freshness and require further inspection before consumption.

Store the balut eggs in a cool, dry place, but avoid keeping them too long, as the duck embryo inside will continue to develop, making the eggs older and tougher.

Always rinse the eggs under running water before cooking to remove any dirt or debris from the shell.

Pair balut with ginger and Vietnamese coriander for a harmonious flavor combination. Eat balut in the morning for an energy boost and avoid evening or late-night consumption to prevent indigestion and weight gain. Limit your balut intake to two eggs per sitting and no more than two per week. Finally, avoid storing cooked balut eggs overnight to prevent bacterial contamination.