For over 300 years, scientists couldn't put a name on the Giant Tortoise, and it's not because they were stumped. Nope, it's because every time sailors tried to ship some back to Europe for study, they ended up eating them all on the way home. Even Charles Darwin couldn't resist a bite!

So why were these tortoises such a hot commodity? Well, turns out they were delicious. Explorers from the 16th century couldn't get enough, comparing the meat to everything from chicken to butter, but way better. And it wasn't just the taste – tortoises were like the all-you-can-eat buffet of the sea. You could chow down on as much as you wanted without feeling sick.

US Navy captain David Porter declared [in 1815] "after once tasting the Galapagos tortoises, every other animal food fell off greatly in our estimation ... "

"The meat of this animal is the easiest of digestion, and a quantity of it, exceeding that of any other food, can be eaten without experiencing the slightest of inconvenience."

But it wasn't just about the flavor. Tortoise fat was like a miracle cure for everything from colds to cramps. Plus, their ability to store water meant they were like walking water bottles for sailors. No wonder ships could stay at sea for weeks at a time!

A little more about the Galapagos tortoise. Recipes to follow!