Why is shark fin soup so special?
Originally, shark fin soup was a delicacy sampled only in high society. As a result shark fin soup rapidly earned a reputation as a dish with true cachet – a way of flaunting wealth and status. With the growing affluence in Asia, ten of thousands of new consumers have aspired to join the ranks of the elite, ordering shark fin soup whenever possible. This has led to a massive rise in demand. Ironically, now that sharks stocks are depleted, this increasingly rare creature has become even more expensive and therefore holds even more cachet.
