Another name for masago caviar is capelin caviar. It is widely used in oriental cooking, namely in Japanese cuisine in the manufacture of California rolls and many others.
Masago caviar
The exotic name of this caviar is not very familiar to the average citizen, but it is the most common capelin caviar (another name is chaplain's caviar). Capelin is one of the commercial fish that is found in the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific oceans, in the waters of the Arctic, off the coast of Russia, the United States and Norway.
Most sushi producers: sushi bars, Asian restaurants use the more intriguing and exotic name of caviar to lure customers and stir up interest in their dishes. The main suppliers of capelin roe are Iceland, the Russian Federation and Canada. The chaplain's caviar is mined and then salted. It can be purchased in large supermarkets, seafood departments, shops that sell ingredients for making sushi.
An interesting fact is that there are varieties of caviar in relation to the habitat and appearance of the fish. For example, in Japan there is a type of capelin called Shishamo ("willow leaf"). The capelin received such an unusual name due to its external resemblance to a willow leaf, the same thin and elongated. This fish is found exclusively off the coast of Hokkaido Island. The main distinguishing feature of the Japanese capelin is that its habitat is fresh water. All other capelin species are found in salty sea or ocean water. The resourceful Japanese use capelin not only in sushi, but also fry it whole, without extracting the caviar.
Properties of masago caviar
In nature, masago caviar can have bright orange or yellow-white hues. In the food industry, it can be tinted with natural dyes. In this regard, red, black, green, white, yellow, orange capelin caviar is obtained. For example, to achieve black, cuttlefish ink is used, and ginger juice is used to achieve an orange shade of caviar. Make sure the dyes are not synthetic. In this case, masago loses its beneficial properties. Caviar is rich in amino acids, macro- and microelements, vitamins A, C and group B. Iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, which are contained in caviar, are actively involved in hematopoiesis, metabolism, the formation of hormonal levels and, in general, the normal activity of the body … The most important beneficial element of caviar is fish oil, which is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They, in turn, normalize metabolism, have a beneficial effect on the heart and thyroid gland.
