Surimi - What Do We Need To Know?

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Many Europeans know very well that the popular crab rolls, are not made at all from cancer meat, but from surimi. However, when someone asks them what surimi is, most of them just shrug or say an answer that is far from the truth. That's why we decided to share the truth about this fish product.

"Surimi is a food product of ancient origin, for which various myths are carried in most of Europe to this day. Its history begins in Japan, as its homeland, and dates back more than 9 centuries. However, global demand for the marine product, which originated in the Far East almost a thousand years ago, is constantly growing. The main reason for this is that surimi is an easily accessible source of fish, which in turn contains essential and vital human substances. In some countries, fish is very expensive, and in others it is simply not available, "said a manager from one of the largest surimi companies in the world.

The expert lists some important facts about the origin, composition and calories of the product, which clearly show why it should be present at our table.

1. Ancient processing technology

This way of processing fish dates back to the Kamakura period in Japan, at the beginning of the last millennium. Of course, today there is a much more modern technology that people do not use their hands to make surimi, but the product itself and its method of preparation have not changed much.

This is a natural product that consists of a whitish, odorless and tasteless paste made from finely ground and pure fish meat.

2. Healthy product from the Japanese table

The Japanese have been making and consuming surimi for many years. They are a people known for their good health and healthy eating. The average life expectancy in the country is the longest in the world, and a product that is harmful to humans could not survive more than a millennium.

3. High content of pure fish meat

High quality seafood contains about 30-50% fish. It should be noted that this is pure fish protein because water and fat are removed during the production process. This means that surimi contains more fish meat per kilogram than the fish itself. 3-4 kg of fish are needed for the preparation of 1 kg of surimi.

4. Surimi is made from sea fish

Both in ancient times and today, the seafood is produced only from fish caught at sea, such as hake, pollock and other white fish.

Photo: VIČI

5. Surimi is a product with few calories and no cholesterol

In the production process, both fish bones and their fats are extracted - for comparison, 100 g of surimi contains 90-100 calories.

6. Surimi contains high quality protein

In addition to fish, surimi products also contain a large amount of egg white - in 100 g of surimi there is about 9 g of protein.

7. Rich in vitamins and minerals

When you eat surimi, you get the same amount of nutrients that you get if you eat fish - not only protein, but also magnesium, vitamin B12, phosphorus and selenium.

8. Preferred product by many vegetarians

If made using the traditional Japanese method, surimi is a fish product that would not be the best choice for vegans. However, it is a favorite food of more and more vegetarians who do not eat meat. Vegans can also diversify their menu with products similar to surimi, but made from soy.

9. A product with many flavors

There are various and interesting recipes for making surimi. By themselves, crab-like sticks can be prepared in countless different ways. Can be used as a main ingredient in hot or cold salads, pancakes, stews, etc. Therefore, the taste of a dish is determined by all the ingredients in it, not just by the surimi themselves, and it cannot always be the same.

10. Ready to eat

In fact, one of the biggest advantages of this method of cooking fish is that the product is completely ready to eat. Properly stored, surimi can be used for up to two months from the date of manufacture. Therefore, surimi is an ideal choice for any occasion, be it a quick lunch, a fine dinner, a long trip or a snack.

Surimi is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to diversify a healthy menu - just add a nutritious fish product to your diet. This is a great product for people who play sports actively and want to be in good health and in harmony with themselves, striving for a healthy lifestyle.

In Bulgaria surimi products, smoked and marinated fish, fish sticks, seafood, herring and other fish products, you can find under the VIČI brand - a leader in the food industry in Lithuania. The parent company Viciunai Group has specialized for many years in the production of surimi, fish and various food products.

The company's portfolio includes over 3000 products under the VIČI, Esva, Columbus brands, which are exported worldwide, and some of them under the VIČI brand can be found in major cities in the chains. Billa, Kaufland and Fantastico.