What is kaki in sushi?牡蠣
This time, I looked into the various names and seasons for sushi kaki.
How to call kaki
【kaki】oyster カキ 牡蠣
Among the many types of oysters, the standard one is magaki.” Magaki is also known by several other names, includingEzogaki” in Hokkaido, “Sekka” in Nagasaki, Isogaki, Kagi, Hanataregaki, Hiragaki, and Hiroshimagaki. Oysters are also called “oysters” in English, but the word is used not only for oysters but also for a wide range of other bivalve shellfish that live on rocks.
The peak season for kaki
The season for oysters varies depending on the type. There are two main types of oysters eaten in Japan:
Magaki: Magaki are the most commonly known oysters and are the most eaten in the world. The best season for true oysters is from autumn to winter (around November to February). However, in recent years, oysters have become a delicious food that can be enjoyed year-round, thanks to triploid true oysters created through selective breeding, oysters imported from the southern hemisphere whose seasons are opposite to Japan’s, and rock oysters.
Iwagaki: Iwagaki is in season during the summer months from June to September. Oysters from early July are especially recommended. The majority of rock oysters are wild-caught, and they generally tend to be more expensive than farmed true oysters.
These oysters live all over Japan, so you have the opportunity to see them in season in each region. However, it is said that there is no clear season for oysters, and the seasons in which they are most abundant vary depending on the region. Therefore, we have introduced the times when it is generally considered to be delicious.
Oysters are also called “milk of the sea” and are one of the foods with high nutritional value. It is rich in nutrients such as zinc, protein, and iron. These nutrients have effects such as increasing immunity, recovering from fatigue, and preventing anemia. Therefore, eating fresh oysters when they are in season is good for your health.
Please refer to the above information and enjoy seasonal oysters.
