I investigated the consumption of squid and octopus in Japan and overseas to see if they really can’t be eaten overseas.
(Featured image provided by: PhotoAC)
TSUURINEWS Editorial Department
September 11, 2022
others fish research institute
Japanese food culture that is unimaginable overseas
While Japanese food is highly praised by foreigners for being extremely delicious, there is also a food culture that makes it unthinkable to eat it.
The best example of this is natto, and we often hear people say that it is not edible because of its smell. In addition, fermented foods such as rice bran pickles, miso, and salted fish are not very popular among foreigners. From a Japanese point of view, the smell is addictive, but I can’t help it because of the difference in food culture.
In addition, sashimi, which most Japanese people love, is sometimes rejected as “I can’t imagine eating it raw!” Squid and octopus are very popular in Japan, but foreigners don’t think of eating them raw.
Octopus catch and consumption
First, let’s take a look at the consumption of octopus in Japan.
The total catch of octopus in the world is about 300,000 tons, of which Japan catches about 30,000 tons. About 37,000 tons of octopus are harvested annually in Japan, and are also imported from Mauritania, Morocco, and China in West Africa.
About 60,000 tons of octopus are consumed in Japan every year, accounting for about 60% of the world’s annual consumption of octopus. Octopus, which can be easily purchased at supermarkets, has many recipes and ways to eat it in Japan, and it has become an indispensable part of the dining table.
There is no other country in the world that has so many octopuses, and it can be said that it is a very rare food culture even from a global perspective.
Octopus is also popular as a fishing item(Source: Photo AC)Squid catch and consumption
Then, what about squid, the same mollusk?
The annual catch of squid in the world exceeds 3 million tons, of which about 1 million tons (30%) is said to be consumed in Japan. Surprisingly, the consumption of this squid is also the highest in the world.
Squid is popular as a familiar seafood in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, etc. Compared to octopus, squid is recognized as a food ingredient in more countries, so it is thought that there is such a big difference in catches. It is
However, squid, which is eaten in many countries, is eaten raw in very few countries.
Food culture from the Yayoi period
When did this squid and octopus food culture start?
Many kinds of squid inhabit the waters around Japan, and there are many good fishing grounds, so it is known that squid has long been popular as a food item for the Japanese people.
Looking back at past literature, in the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki,” a topography that describes the history and cultural relics of Izumo Province (present-day eastern part of Shimane Prefecture), shark is mentioned in the description of various products caught in the sea.・Saba, abalone, turban shell, and other names are written along with squid.
In addition, the Engishiki, a collection of laws and regulations compiled in the Heian period, mentions squid along with abalone and salmon as offerings to the Imperial Court.
From these facts, we can see that there was a culture of eating squid 1,300 years ago, and that squid was a high-class ingredient.
Next, regarding the food culture of octopus, it is actually older than squid. From this, you can see that the culture of eating octopus has been rooted for a long time.
On the next page, what is the reason why octopus is not eaten so much overseas?
The state of emergency has been lifted, but please check the latest information from the government regarding going out, and try to wear a mask and avoid the 3Cs. I sincerely hope that the smiles of anglers will return to all fishing spots and boathouses as soon as possible.