21
Feb
It is not very often that I find foodstuffs that are completely new to me but two days ago, as I was walking through the market in Shanghai, I saw black chickens for sale. This wouldn’t have come as such a surprise if I had paid attention to my friend Elaine’s article which she wrote in 2007!
Well, I hadn’t and knowing nothing about them, I couldn’t believe the chickens’ colour was natural. I asked our charming guide, Leo, from Les Suites Orients, the lovely hotel on the Bund where we were staying, if they hadn’t been dyed. Silly question I know, but it was such an unfamiliar sight, at least for me. Anyhow, he assured me the colour was absolutely natural and he took me to where they sold live chickens to show me the white feathered creatures that are black underneath. I had to get one. And of course with my taste for gore, buying it live and having it killed for me added to the excitement. I filmed a clip of the whole action but I have to wait until I get to a more social media friendly place to upload it.
Leo negotiated the purchase and slaughter of the poor chicken and we took it back to the chef at the hotel who cooked it for us that evening. The whole adventure had been organised for us by our super charming hotel manager, Joseph, although I don’t expect he thought we would return with a black chicken.
Here it is cooked. Half was served steamed and the other half in a delicious soup with ginko nuts. As you can see from the picture below, the flesh is also black. The bones too. The verdict on the taste? Well, I can’t say it was amazingly different from a regular chicken. Possibly a firmer texture but it is said to be excellent for women’s health, especially those who are expecting. Not my case, but for those of you who are, it is highly recommended!
Tagged : black chicken, Bund, Les Suites Orients, Shanghai, silkies 
9
There is 9 comments on this post
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February 22, 2011 at 3:57 am
That is really something very new to me!!
Hope it tasted good 🙂
Sahtein!!
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February 22, 2011 at 4:01 am
Beautiful pictures. I envy your experience. Hope all is well in Syria. The wheels of history are rolling in the Middle East. Would love to hear about your experience. Are you excited?
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February 22, 2011 at 5:29 am
Gosh, I wonder how it can be naturally black all the way through? I thought all animals shared the white through pink through red flesh, white bones etc? I’m so intrigued!
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February 24, 2011 at 10:56 pm
My Chinese coworkers were insistent I have black chicken soup throughout my very nauseaus pregnancy. Apparently it’s a pregnant lady tonic of sorts.
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February 25, 2011 at 12:03 am
it tasted more or less like a regular chicken 🙂
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February 25, 2011 at 12:05 am
they are. and i would love to hear your experiences in egypt. i thought about you and wanted to email to see how you were living the events. and yes, i am excited but also worried.
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February 25, 2011 at 12:07 am
it is a very special chicken and the skin colour changes slightly from bird to bird, going from v black to dark grey 🙂
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February 25, 2011 at 12:08 am
yes, they say that it is v good for pregnant women.