桜エビ　(Sakura ebi) – Sakura Shrimp

31st March – 弥生

Sakura ebi – named afterits color, just like a pretty pink color, cherry blossom (桜=Sakura). Moreover, Sakura ebi can be taken the most in spring when sakura blooms, this is why it is called Sakura ebi. Sakuraebi lives only in Tokyo bay, Sagami bay and Suruga bay, however the area only allowed to actually do fishing is in Suruga bay, Shizuoka. Also the season for the fishing is even restricted twice a year, spring and autumn, around 40days. Therefore, Sakura ebi is very precious and luxury fish.

Sakura ebi normally lives very deep under the water, around 300m below. In the night in spring and autumn, they come to get the food upper in the ocean, from 20 to 60m from the surface of the water. Sakura ebi has luminous body and this shines under the water in the night, from this view, Sakura ebi is called ‘海の宝石’ (Umi no houseki = the jewelry of ocean).

However, there are one big problem regarding of Sakura ebi – Because Sakura ebi is very rare and luxury food, some company mislabel the similar fish. Food fraud has been rampant. The similar fish is called オキアミ (Okiami) and can be taken in China, South pole sea.

In order not to be deceived, following shows the difference between Sakura ebi and Okiami:

Sakura ebi

-Crustacean species

-3~5cm long body

– Female is bigger than male

-Have long beard, the length is around 2~3times longer than its body

Okiami

-Plankton

-Around 4cm long body

-When it is alive, the color is white and when it is taken out from the water it turns to be red

-When it gets less fresh, the color becomes white

-Do not have beard

Even though those are different fish, both has plenty calcium and fiber. Japanese enjoy eating fried Sakuraebi (かき揚げ, Kakiage), Okonomiyaki and raw Sakura ebi. If you have a chance to eat Sakura ebi, please give a go!