Foodstuff, turtle soup

Turtle meat became fashionable in the 19th century and was usually imported from the West Indies. According to Law's Grocer's Manual (1898) the meat was popular at City of London aldermanic feasts and the Lord Mayor's annual dinner at the Guildhall.

John Lusty Ltd was a manufacturer specialising in turtle meat. Based on Parnham Street in Limehouse, the firm was established in the mid nineteenth century by John Lusty, a 'marine store dealer'. In the twentieth century the company advertised itself as a contractor to the Admiralty, the War Office and the Royal Family. In the early 1940s the firm had premises at 3 New Compton Street in the West End.

John Lusty Ltd was still manufacturing at Parnham Street in the early 1970s and was famous for its turtle soup. The brand is presently owned by the Leicester-based company Fosters Traditional Foods Ltd. This company took the commercial decision to cease making turtle soup about five years ago owing to public concerns over the conservation of turtles.

This box of sun dried green turtle meat was purchased as a delicacy for a celebration event but never used. The box has a soup recipe and contains a packet of herbs and spices to cook the meat with.