The ten most delicious sea urchins in the world

Sea urchin, also known as spiny conch, is one of the eight treasures of the ocean. Although the appearance of sea urchins is covered with spikes, the delicious meat and high nutritional value make it very popular among people. There are many varieties of sea urchins, so which one has the most outstanding taste? Today I have compiled for you the ten most delicious sea urchins. They are horse urchin, Ezo horse urchin, purple sea urchin, Echinococcus glabra, red sea urchin, yellow sea urchin, white bearded sea urchin, and California red sea urchin. , purple ball sea urchin and northern ball sea urchin. Let’s explore these top sea urchins and their related facts.

1. Horse dung sea urchin (sea urchin yellow and bright orange/fresh and mellow flavor/best from April to June)

The overall appearance of the horse dung sea urchin is dark green or gray green. It is named after its shape of horse dung and is known as one of the most delicious sea urchins. Its shell is solid and hemispherical, the anti-oral surface is slightly convex, the oral surface is flat, and the spines are short. Although it is not huge in size, the sea urchin yellow inside is extremely full and the color is deep and charming. The gonads of horse manure sea urchins are rich in nutrients, with a moisture content of up to 64.20%, an ash content of 12.70%, a crude fat content of 2.34%, a protein content of 12.25%, and a total sugar content of about 5.59%. The few months each year when it goes on the market attract even more attention, making it very popular. Its best eating season is usually from late spring to early summer. It has a rich taste, sweet and smooth taste, and a plump taste. Some people describe eating horse dung sea urchin as "a French kiss on the tip of the tongue."

2. Hokkaido sea urchin (sea urchin yellow-orange-red/highly sweet/best from July to August)

Ezo horse dung sea urchin, also known as Hokkaido sea urchin, is much larger than horse dung sea urchin and is one of the ten most delicious sea urchins. This kind of sea urchin grows at an alarming rate. The shell diameter of the largest individual can reach more than 10 centimeters. The sea urchin is orange-red in color, like a plump and mature persimmon. Each yellow petal is large and full, with a solid texture and obvious graininess. . When you taste it, the plump and delicious fat taste explodes in your mouth, and the aftertaste is long and sweet. Ezo horse dung sea urchin can be eaten raw or used to make sea urchin sauce and other delicacies. It tastes delicious and is full of nutrients. The gonads are rich in amino acids, polysaccharides and highly unsaturated fatty acids, and have high edible and medicinal value. The Ezo horse dung sea urchin produced in Hokkaido, Japan is particularly outstanding, and July-August every year is the most delicious time.

3. Purple sea urchin (sea urchin yellow and light yellow/refreshing and sweet/best from April to June)

Purple sea urchin belongs to the Echinaceae family and is commonly known as "Southern purple urchin". It has a diameter of about 5-7 cm, relatively long spines, and a deep purple-black color. Purple sea urchin is produced from central Honshu to Kyushu in Japan and the southeastern coastal areas of China. The best time to eat it is from late spring to summer. Purple sea urchins are also called "white sea urchins" due to their light yellow color. The graininess on the surface is clearly visible, and each valve is only about the size of a little finger. No need to add any condiments when enjoying. Compared with the slightly aggressive and strong flavor of the first two sea urchins, the purple sea urchin prefers a fresh and natural taste style. It has a light taste, sweet taste, with a natural ocean flavor, and a light and silky texture, which is very suitable for trying sea urchin for the first time. people try.

4. Echinococcus glabra sea urchin (sea urchin yellow and light yellow/refreshing and elegant taste/best from September to November)

Echinococcus glabra, also known as northern purple sea urchin or Dalian purple sea urchin, although similar in appearance to purple sea urchins, they belong to a different family. The spines of the Echinococcus glabra sea urchin are relatively uniform in length, and the individual is larger than the purple sea urchin, about 6-10 cm. The shell is purple-black or dark brown. This kind of sea urchin is mainly distributed along the coast to waters with a water depth of 50-60 meters. A few individuals can even be distributed in water depths of up to 180 meters. They often live near rocks where seaweed grows, and they are also found on the northeastern coast of my country. The sea urchin's yellow granular texture is very obvious, usually showing a light yellow color, and is known for its elegance and delicacy. Although its taste is not as strong and its aftertaste is slightly less sweet, when it melts on the tip of the tongue, the silky smooth feeling it brings is incomparable and unmatched by other sea urchins.

5. Red sea urchin (sea urchin is yellowish-reddish brown/mellow and luscious/best from September to November)

Red sea urchin belongs to the family Echinaceae, also known as red sea urchin. It is a nutritious and delicious sea urchin species. The diameter of red sea urchin is about 7-8 centimeters, and its shell is reddish brown. Although it is widely distributed, the resources on the Pacific coast are relatively small, so it is rare in China. Its season is usually in autumn. The yellow color of sea urchin has a golden hue, the taste is unique, and the sweetness is soft and delicious. Red sea urchin is rich in nutrients. Every 100 grams of fresh red sea urchin contains 41 grams of protein and 32.7 grams of fat. It is also rich in vitamins A, D, various amino acids, phosphorus, iron, calcium and other nutrients. The fats are mainly unsaturated fatty acids and phospholipids that are beneficial to health. Its gonads contain eicosaenoic acid, accounting for more than 30% of total fatty acids, which helps prevent cardiovascular disease.

6. Yellow sea urchin (sea urchin is yellow and light yellow/fresh and sweet/soft and delicate)

Yellow sea urchin is a common species of sea urchin. The spines are rough and vary in length. The shell is yellow-brown, while the sea urchin body is light yellow. The peak season for yellow sea urchin is winter. Yellow sea urchin eaten raw is extremely delicious and has a tender and delicate texture. Especially when tasted with mustard sauce, the taste is even more delicious. In contrast, although steamed sea urchin loses the freshness of raw sea urchin, it tastes better and is as tender as tofu, making it very suitable for the elderly and children. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that sea urchin yellow has the effects of strengthening essence and yang, nourishing the heart, strengthening bones, and nourishing blood. Among Chinese people, sea urchin yellow is regarded as a top-notch nourishing product, known as a good product for strengthening physical strength and refreshing the mind. It is especially loved by some men, so it is praised as the "marine elixir".

7. White-bearded sea urchin (sea urchin yellow-orange/melts in the mouth)

What kind of sea urchin is the most delicious? White-bearded sea urchin is a treasure of tropical Atlantic waters and is known as "Caribbean caviar". This kind of sea urchin is larger in size and varies in color from black to brown or even purple. Its back is rounded, its abdomen is flatter, and its surface is covered with short white spines. The yellow sea urchin of White Bearded Sea Urchin is large and soft, with a fresh and elegant taste that melts in your mouth while retaining the natural aroma of sea urchin. Its water is as pure as mountain spring water and its rich and sweet taste is unmatched by other sea urchins. It is reported that because of its amazing deliciousness, the white-bearded sea urchin has been subject to crazy fishing, resulting in increasingly scarce production. Countries have introduced measures that have all but banned the fishing of white-bearded sea urchins. Some countries only open a few days for fishing, and fishing rights are only allocated to a very small number of professional fishermen.

8. California red sea urchin (sea urchin golden yellow/smooth texture/California gold)

California red sea urchin, also known as Canadian sea urchin, is produced in North America and is recognized as one of the most delicious sea urchins. This sea urchin has a reddish-black shell and long, slender spines. It is famous for its dark color and large size. The top varieties are even as big as the palm of your hand, with a diameter of up to 18 centimeters, which is 1.5 times the size of the Japanese horse dung sea urchin. Its gonads are golden yellow, the taste is sweet but not astringent, and the taste is thick and delicate. Each valve is complete and melts in the mouth. It tastes like ice cream and is extremely delicious. It can be called the most delicious "tongue" in the world. The sea urchin yellow of California red sea urchin is not only delicious, but also rich in vitamins A, D, various amino acids, phosphorus, iron, calcium and other nutrients, and is easily absorbed by the body. Its unique deliciousness not only stimulates appetite, but also satisfies taste buds, showing the charm of ocean delicacies.

9. Purple ball sea urchin (sea urchin yellow and light yellow/light and sweet)

The purple ball sea urchin is a species of sea urchin unique to North America and is found in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Its shell can grow up to 10 centimeters, is dark purple in color, has an oblate shape, and its gonads are light yellow in color. Purple sea urchin is not only delicious, but also has high nutritional value. Each 100 grams of fresh purple sea urchin yellow contains 41 grams of protein and 32.7 grams of fat. It is also rich in vitamins A, D, various amino acids, phosphorus, iron, calcium and other nutrients. Foods made from the sea urchin yellow of purple sea urchin, such as salted purple sea urchin, purple sea urchin paste and canned purple sea urchin, can improve the body's immunity, calm the nerves, nourish blood, and promote sexual function. Because it is rich in hormones, it can nourish yin, nourish the kidneys, and nourish the skin after consumption. It is a very beneficial food choice.

10. Northern sea urchin (sea urchin yellow-orange/large and plump)

Boreal sea urchins are widely distributed in mid-to-high latitudes such as the United States, Canada, and Northern Europe, and their maximum diameter can reach 8 cm. The appearance is similar to the Ezo horse dung sea urchin, the meat is rich and plump, and has an excellent taste. Its gonads are orange-yellow in color and have a refreshing aroma of the sea and plants when eaten. Northern ball sea urchin can be eaten in many delicious ways, such asStir-fry: Mix sea urchin and minced ginger thoroughly, heat oil, add eggs and stir well, set aside. Then fry the sea urchin and minced ginger in oil until thick, add green vegetables and scrambled eggs, stir-fry quickly and enjoy; you can also steam: put the processed sea urchin into a steamer, steam it with soy sauce and mustard Make a seasoning sauce and eat it with the sauce. It is delicious and rich in nutrients. It can help strengthen the body, strengthen bones, nourish the heart and nourish the mind.

This list takes into account factors such as sea urchin's taste, quality, nutritional value, and public popularity, and conducts a comprehensive evaluation when selecting the most delicious sea urchin. If you have any questions about this list or want to exchange opinions, please leave a message in the comments. Everyone is welcome to discuss and exchange.

animal tags： Echinoidea