What is masu in sushi?鱒
This time, I looked into the various names and seasons for sushi masu.
How to call masu
【masu】trout マス 鱒
Trout is often referred to collectively with other salmonid species. In Japan, when we say trout, we mean cherry salmon, which is also called honmasu. There is a strong theory that the name Sakura trout originates from the fact that it is a trout that is often seen during the cherry blossom season. Also, in recent years, yamame trout are sometimes thought to be the same species as cherry salmon. Therefore, in the Kyushu region, cherry salmon is called “enoha,” which actually refers to yamame. In addition, there are several other names for cherry salmon, such as Ginke, Hirabe, Itamasu, and Ginkeyamabe.
The peak season for masu
The season for trout depends on the species, but generally it is from spring to early summer. In particular, cherry salmon is in season from spring to early summer (March to May). This is because cherry salmon are born in rivers, grow up in the sea, and then return to the rivers from spring to early summer the following year to begin their spawning season.
Also, it is said that fish is most delicious before spawning. The reason is that fish store a lot of nutrients in order to spawn. In particular, it stores a lot of fat. Therefore, fish in season generally refers to fish that has not yet spawned and has plenty of nutrients and fat stored in its body, and fish at this time of the year have good fat content and a soft texture.
However, the seasonal season may change depending on the region and environment, so if you want to know the exact season, it is best to contact your local fish store or market. Also, depending on the type of trout, some trout are harvested in the middle of the year.
