Love of sushi could help Calif. coastal ecosystem

Reuters on Yahoo ^ | 10/29/05

[NormsRevenge]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - America's growing appetite for exotic sushi may help preserve vanishing beds of seaweed seen as an important part of the ecosystem along the California coastline.

Diners in sushi restaurants are eating ever greater amounts of sea urchin roe, known as Uni, creating a $23 million industry in California for harvesting the creatures, the California Sea Urchin Commission said this week.

The spiny echinoderms, a potential peril to swimmers stepping on rocks, feast on kelp, which is dwindling along California's coastline.

Divers in the state now harvest 800,000 pounds of Uni annually, the Sea Urchin Commission said, adding that it expects growing consumer demand for Uni in the United States.

[MineralMan]

"Rule #3 is a sushi law."

It should be an enforceable law. Sadly, a lot of people get the idea that sushi is that stuff at the wedding reception, so they never find their way to a sushi bar.

A pity. Then you get the "I ain't eatin' no raw fish" crowd. I just let them eat all the California Roll they want while I go for things they won't eat.

In reality, I'm a bigger sashimi fan than sushi fan anyhow.

[martin_fierro]

Diners in sushi restaurants are eating ever greater amounts of sea urchin roe, known as Uni

It's so popular that it has its own channel.

[NormsRevenge]

LOL

[martin_fierro]

Man, you just haven't eaten until you've held a roll of rice wrapped in seaweed up to your mouth ... and a tentacle flops out.

[NormsRevenge]

Anyone..

What is Onigoroshi (Devil Killer) sake like? it says Dry on the menu at the site the pics are from...

[jimfree]

Rule Number 1: Never order Sushi if you don't live by the sea.

I believe the root of this rule is to know something about the freshness of the fish. Mrs. Jimfree and I attended a convention in Reno and discovered an all-you-can-eat sushi bar in the Reno Hilton. We asked him to take us on a tour of the various fish. He served nothing so exotic as Uni, but was very clever with some of the rolls. My favorite was the Godzilla Roll. Fried fish was in the center and it was drizzled with a wonderful spicy sauce, creating a fabulous combination of textures and flavors.

[Polybius]

"Rule Number 1: Never order Sushi if you don't live by the sea. :-)"

Well...that's not a hard and fast rule, but you want to find a good sushi bar if you live in Ohio.

No, I took that Ohio flag right out of manwiththehands' Profile Page. As for me, I can see the sun shining on salt water as I type this. :-)

Freshness is key. So, manwiththehands, don't pass judgment on sushi until you have had good sushi on the West Coast.

[Onelifetogive]

I've had sushi but it was served at room temperature and it was awful. Maybe I need to try it again from a better place.

You do. Sushi is not "something." Sushi is hundreds of things. Cooked shellfish, raw or smoked fish, rolls with veggies, etc. Start with cooked shellfish (maybe a California Roll.) Many people can't get over the thought of raw fish. That's only a part of sushi... (and my favorite part, BTW)

[Onelifetogive]

Freshness is key. So, manwiththehands, don't pass judgment on sushi until you have had good sushi on the West Coast.

I had a two week business trip to Southern California a while back. I was by myself, so I got to go EXACTLY where I wanted to eat. I ate sushi every day (lunch and dinner) and didn't have to eat the same place twice or go more than about 10 miles from my hotel.....

Heaven...

[Lx]

Oh yeah, I get my fill of Sashimi before I look at the rolls.
Nothing like it.
I agree about the California roll, it's a good way to introduce someone to Sushi but I always ask for the real crab.

I've had people who swear they'll never eat raw fish try Sashimi once they see it up close. The only one I don't like is either Squid or Octopus.

Here in California, I can get my fill for under $50.00.

[manwiththehands]

The only time I had sushi was in Denver - which, by your opinion is probably worse there than it would be here in Ohio. Next time I'm near an ocean sushi will be one of the first things I'll try.

[tortoise]

I only eat sea urchin roe from places that have live sea urchins. The stuff they serve at sushi joints that come in the trays have a very different taste and texture than what you get when you crack one open on the spot. The texture and flavor decays extremely fast, almost in front of your eyes, making it very difficult for industrial producers to move it fast enough.

People that love uni need to try it fresh from the urchin; it will make the finest, freshest stuff on the trays taste like yesterday's leftovers. Once you get used to it, it is hard to go back.

[manwiththehands]

Ah. F14 pilot Pukin Dog. Reference noted. Thanks!

[Begin]

I love sushi, but uni is overrated.

[dagoofyfoot]

"Uni with a raw quail egg on top is how I break in sushi virgins"


Don't forget one shake of tobasco and a touch of wasabi and oh man...you got yourself somethin' there!


I've eaten sushi in a lot of places in the world and the best I've had is right here in Southern California

[dighton]

The "California Sea Urchin Commission"???

You bet!

Land of fruits, nuts, and Food and Agricultural Code Section 79040-79057.

[dagoofyfoot]

I love sushi, but uni is overrated


Try this one next time;
The "Japanese Burrito"
Tuna(Spicy Tuna or Regular)
Tempura Shrimp
Imitation Crap
Avacado
Asparagus

All wraped in the white rice paper and no rice topped with Smelt Roe a touch of green onion, and one shake of the Vinegar sauce

Dip it in a mixture of Siriracha sauce and Mayo...MMMMMmmmmm

[The KG9 Kid]

Sushi rules, but I still can't stand Uni. I keep giving it a chance, but I can already tell I'll never like it.

[Junior]

I love sea urchin sushi. It's definitely not for everyone, though. My wife does not like the texture, for instance.

[Junior]

Amen. It's definitely become one of my favorites.