The charm of abalone and the best recipes: Explaining everything from how to choose it to recommended ways to eat it!

Abalone is widely known as a high-class Japanese ingredient due to its unique deliciousness. This time, let's take a closer look at this fascinating monoclave.

Characteristics of abalone

Abalone is a single shell that only has shells on one side, and is considered a luxury item on the market due to its deliciousness. In Japan, four types are mainly known: madaka, black abalone, megai, and ezo abalone. Many people tend to think that males are blue and females are red, but this is not very accurate as the colours differ depending on where they live.

Seasonality and how to choose

Abalone is available all year round, but the summer is especially popular in season. When purchasing, it is important to choose the one that is alive. The fresh abalone reacts cheerfully when lightly touching the body with your fingers.

How to eat delicious abalone

Abalone meat can be divided into "blue shell" and "red shell." Blue shellfish are hard and have a hard meat, making them suitable for sashimi and water shellfish. On the other hand, red shellfish are soft and are suitable for boiled and steamed dishes. The liver is also delicious, and you can eat it raw with vinegared soy sauce, or quickly add it to sashimi and simmer it.

Recommended recipes using abalone

• Ingredients: 1 abalone (blue shell) (approx. 800g), 2-3 cucumbers, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 sudachi juice, and appropriate ice
• cooking:
  1. Sprinkle plenty of salt on the surface of the abalone, rub it with a scrubbing brush to wash it, then wash it with water to remove any moisture.
  2. Insert a wooden slatter from the pointy side of the shell, peel off the flesh, and remove the embellishment, liver, stomach, etc.
  3. Place the pillars on top, cut into 2-3cm squares, and wash with thick salted water.
  4. Cut the cucumber into 2-3cm lengths.
  5. Put ice in a bowl, serve abalone and cucumbers, sprinkle with roasted seaweed, and add some cracked soy sauce to complete the meal.

Abalone is a food that will add a touch of glamour to your special day due to its rarity and unique deliciousness. Use the above information to enjoy the best abalone dishes.