What is ise-ebi in sushi?伊勢海老
This time, I looked into the various names and seasons for sushi ise-ebi.
How to call ise-ebi
【ise-ebi】Pacific spiny lobster, crawfish イセエビ 伊勢海老
Other names for spiny lobster include Kamakura lobster,”Shima lobster,” and other names based on their habitats. In foreign countries, it is called “Spiny lobster” or “Rock lobster”. It seems that each species has an English name based on its appearance and characteristics. Please note that lobster is a different species than shrimp.
The peak season for ise-ebi
Ise lobster season is said to be from November to March of the following year. It is especially delicious and popular at this time of year. Ise lobster spawns from May to August, so fishing is prohibited during the summer. Ise lobsters are produced in a wide range of regions, and there seem to be some differences in when fishing is prohibited depending on the region.
The average price of spiny lobster is approximately 20,000 yen per kg1. The price of spiny lobster is evaluated not by whether it is in season or not, but by the presence or absence of blemishes and the size of the lobster. Ise lobsters are difficult to farm, and it is said that it takes three years for them to grow to a size that can be sold on the market, so their prices tend to rise.
In addition, the famous production areas and seasons of Ise lobster are as follows.
Chiba Prefecture (Onjuku Town, Katsuura City): August to May
Shizuoka Prefecture (Minamiizu Town, Omaezaki City): September to April
Mie Prefecture (Toba City): October to April
Wakayama Prefecture (Kinan region): September to April
Tokushima Prefecture (Kaiyo Town): September to May
Miyazaki Prefecture (Nobeoka City, Nichinan City): September to April
Kagoshima Prefecture (Osumi district, Kumage district, Amami district): December to March
The spiny lobsters caught in these regions each have their own unique flavor and texture, and their deliciousness is even better when eaten when they are in season. In order to enjoy seasonal spiny lobster, it is important to know how fresh it is. The skin of most spiny lobsters is translucent in the sea, but when they are landed, they often turn red, and then their freshness decreases and they become cloudy. It feels fresh when the color and pattern are clear and transparent, and the color changes quickly when you touch the epidermis, and it goes without saying that the eyes are a beautiful black.
