Bull testicles may sound like a dare to you right now. In other cuisines, however, they are perfectly normal food. In this guide, you will find out what bull testicles are, which nutrients they contain, what is really behind their much-quoted effects, whether beef testicles are actually healthy and how you can bring them into your daily routine without any cooking.
What are bull testicles?
Bull testicles, bull balls and beef testicles all mean the same thing: the testicles of male cattle. They count as organ meat, just like liver, heart or kidney. In German they are called "Stierhoden".
Around the world they go by many names. In the USA you will come across them as Rocky Mountain Oysters, usually breaded and deep-fried. In Canada they are called Prairie Oysters, in France animelles, in Spain and Latin America criadillas. You will find a good overview of the different cuisines in the Wikipedia article on testicles as food.
Bull testicles in the nose-to-tail tradition
"Nose to tail" means you use the whole animal, not just the fillet and the entrecôte. In the past, this was a matter of course. Organ meats were considered especially valuable because they provide more micronutrients than muscle meat.
Today, bull testicles hardly ever end up on plates in Switzerland. If you eat them deliberately, it is for two reasons: respect for the animal and an interest in nutrient-dense, unprocessed food. Because butchering and preparing them is time-consuming, many people today prefer freeze-dried organs in capsule form.
Which nutrients are in bull testicles?
Official nutritional data on bull testicles is scarce. Values for similar foods serve as a guide. For goat testicles, for example, around 14–20 g of protein and less than 4 g of fat per 100 g are reported.
Typical of testicular tissue are:
- Protein: (bull testicles are a lean, protein-rich organ).
- B vitamins: (organ meats generally provide B vitamins such as B12).
- Minerals: (testicles contain zinc, iron, potassium and magnesium, among others).
- Cholesterol: (like most organ meats, they contain a comparatively large amount of cholesterol).
Zinc is the most interesting trace element here for you as a man. According to the Swiss Society for Nutrition, zinc is a component of many enzymes, hormones and receptors. Your body also absorbs zinc from animal sources better than zinc from plants, because it is not bound to phytate.
Bull testicles and their effects: what is proven and what is myth?
The idea is obvious: if you eat testicles, you take on some of their strength. The centuries-old tradition is based on exactly this idea; in parts of Asia, bull testicles are still regarded as a remedy for male vigour today.
The honest answer: there are no studies showing that eating bull testicles raises testosterone levels.
What is scientifically established concerns the nutrients. For zinc, it is officially recognised in Switzerland that zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood. So the effect of bull testicles is simply that of a nutrient-rich food.
Are beef testicles healthy?
Yes, they provide you with protein and micronutrients with little fat. You should, however, keep three points in mind:
- Cholesterol and purines: Organ meats contain a lot of both. If you have high cholesterol levels or gout, you should only eat testicles in moderation.
- Origin: Organs reflect how the animal was raised. Look for organic quality and pasture farming without growth hormones.
- Freshness and hygiene: Fresh testicles spoil easily and must be cooked all the way through. Freeze-dried organs, on the other hand, keep for a long time; with capsules, look for lab testing.
Bull testicles in everyday life: the capsule option
If you want to bring the nose-to-tail idea into your daily routine without butchering and deep-frying yourself, freeze-dried testicles are the simplest solution. You benefit from the same food (just without the pan, the smell and the taste).
What does freeze-dried mean?
In freeze-drying, the fresh organs are deep-frozen and then dried in a vacuum. Only water is removed from them. What remains is a long-lasting, neutral-tasting powder that can be filled into capsules.
What to look for in bull testicles in capsule form
- Origin: organic quality and pasture farming, without growth hormones and antibiotics.
- Purity: no fillers, flow agents, flavourings or colourings.
- Transparency: a clear statement of how much of which organ is in the capsule.
- Lab testing: independent analyses of quality and purity.
How our capsules are made
Our bull testicle capsules combine 50% freeze-dried organic bull testicles with 30% beef liver and 20% oyster extract. All organs come from organic EU pasture farming. Each capsule contains 400 mg of organ powder in a shell of beef gelatine, without fillers or additives and lab-tested. Liver and oyster are a sensible addition to the bull testicles: oysters are among the richest sources of zinc of all foods.
You can read about which other nutrients you should keep an eye on as a man in our guide to supplements for men.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between bull testicles, bull balls and beef testicles?
There is none. All three terms refer to the testicles of male cattle. In German they are called "Stierhoden".
Can you eat beef testicles raw?
We advise against it. Raw organ meats can contain germs. Always cook fresh testicles all the way through. If you want to take bull testicles without cooking, freeze-dried ones are worth it.
Do bull testicles increase testosterone?
The idea is obvious, but there is no scientific evidence for it. Bull testicles do, however, provide zinc, and zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
How many bull testicles can you eat?
There is no fixed upper limit. Because of cholesterol and purines, organ meats make sense as part of a varied diet.
Where can you buy bull testicles in Switzerland?
You can get fresh bull testicles to order from some butchers. Freeze-dried and in capsule form, you will find them in our shop as bull testicle capsules.
Fresh bull testicles or capsules: which is better?
Both have their place. Fresh testicles are an exciting experience if you like to cook and experiment, but they are time-consuming and hard to get. Capsules are practical for everyday life, neutral in taste and keep for a long time.
What do bull testicles taste like in capsule form?
Not at all. The capsule is neutral in taste; you simply swallow it with water.