This Now-Illegal Seafood Was Once Coveted By President Howard Taft - Tasting Table

"William Howard Taft was elected in 1908, and his administration sought to take on some of the great issues of the time, such as reducing tariffs and breaking up monopolies, though he was generally considered to be a poor politician. Unfortunately, he is also known as the heaviest U.S. President - weighing 340 pounds. While this is certainly not how the man would like to be remembered, it does draw interest to several of his favorite foods, such as terrapin soup."

"While President Taft was well-known for his appreciation of steak (he started nearly every day with a 12-ounce portion), he was also a lover of turtle soup. So much so, in fact, that the president kept a chef on staff who knew how to make his preferred version, called "Taft Terrapin Soup," using a whole diamondback terrapin turtle as well as several pounds of veal."

"Now, Taft may have had his own special version of terrapin soup, and it may have been a regular preparation when important visitors dined at the White House, but he was far from the first person to eat a turtle. Heck, he wasn't even the first president with an affinity for turtle meat - that title belongs to Chester A. Arthur, an apparent lover of turtle steak who was elected in the early 1880s."

William Howard Taft, elected in 1908, pursued tariff reduction and antitrust measures but was considered a poor politician. Taft became known as the heaviest U.S. president, weighing 340 pounds. Taft favored large steaks—often a daily 12-ounce portion—and particularly loved turtle/terrapin soup. The White House retained a chef who made "Taft Terrapin Soup" using a whole diamondback terrapin and several pounds of veal. Taft’s terrapin became a notable White House dish for important visitors. Earlier presidents also ate turtle: Chester A. Arthur favored turtle steak. Turtle meat has long been part of diets in the Caribbean and North America.

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