In this article we will talk about jellyfish. Jellyfish are one of the most fascinating marine creatures that live in oceans all around the world.
But, can we eat this seafood or it can be poisonous? If you are also wondering is jelly fish safe to eat, this article will be useful for you.
More about Jellyfish
Jellyfish are free-swimming marine animals with trailing tentacles. Jellyfish are also called jellies and they are very important in the ocean world. They are found in all oceans and they can live both on the surface and in the deep of the sea. In some oceans you can see millions of jellyfish that are swarming together and cause big problems for fisheries. It is known that large numbers of animals or plants are usually called a ”bloom”. Jellyfish has a dome shaped body and it does not have bones. Jellyfish body is made of a gelatinous substance and it is 95% water. Jellyfish vary in size. They can be small, but there are also species that can grow up to 6 feet long. Jellyfish has only basic sensory functions and it doesn’t have a brain. Jellyfish live less than a year and some small species can live only a couple of days. Jellyfish can be active and passive hunter, depending on the species. Its tentacles can paralyze or kill the prey because they are covered with thousands of stinging cells.
Also, some jellyfish have bioluminescent organs and they can emit light. It may help them attract prey and distract predators. There are about 200 varieties of jellyfish. The most deadly type of jellyfish is box jellyfish which is able to kill a human within a minute. Jellyfish can also destroy fish nets, poison many fish and disable power plants.
As we can see, jellies can be very dangerous. They can cause problems to the fishing industry and reduce coastal tourism to a large extent. But, can we eat jellyfish? Is it safe to it these marine creatures? Read along this article and you will find out soon.
Is It Safe to Eat Jellyfish?
Although jellyfish can be very dangerous, you can safely eat them. Many species of jellyfish are edible for humans and they are used in cuisines all over the world. In some Asian countries jellyfish is considered to be a very popular delicacy. In Japan jellyfish is eaten at many sushi restaurants. The jellyfish that is sold in markets is processed, which helps inactivate the stinging cells. This jellyfish has been soaked in alum and salt.
Jellyfish has a mild taste and it can easily get the flavor of its seasonings, such as soy sauce, sesame seed oil or hot chili peppers. Most people agree that jellyfish is a wonderful dish, especially when it is served cold and spicy.
Not only is jellyfish safe, but it is also very nutritious. It is considered a healthy food all around the world. It is low in calories and it can help in weight loss. Also, jellyfish is low in fats and it can lower the levels of bad cholesterol. There are no carbohydrates and saturated fats in jellyfish. Jellyfish is rich in collagen that helps in body building. Also, some studies have shown that collagen in jellyfish can help people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
It is important to store properly jellyfish that is purchased in the market. It is necessary to store jellyfish in the fridge. It is also very important to store cooked and raw jellyfish separately in order to avoid any bacterial cross-contamination. There are many ways to prepare jellyfish. It is best to soak it over night in the refrigerator and to blanch it before seasoning. You should soak jellyfish at least 5 hours and you should change the water every hour or two. It is important to wash thoroughly all the knives and cutting surfaces after handling raw jellyfish. Also, it is important to wash your hands with soap.
As we have already said, there are many types of dishes that can be prepared with jellyfish, such as salads, noodles, sushi or even an ice cream. Jellyfish salad is a very popular dish in Asia and it is prepared with cold marinated jellyfish. Many people say that jellyfish is tasteless so it needs to be spiced up with seasonings. Jellyfish can also be served as an appetizer. You can combine jellyfish with cucumber and vinegar soy sauce.
The benefits of eating jellyfish are a bit controversial, but a formal scientific conclusion has not been made yet. Many experts believe that jellyfish is a healthy food choice because it contains 80% protein and only 5% fat.
Also, jellyfish contains collagen, which is the main protein in this fish. But, there are also experts who claim that there is an aluminum residue in jellyfish, which is a big health concern.
Summary
As you have seen, jellyfish are very important marine creatures. People can safely eat jellyfish and they are usually served as a delicacy in many parts of the world. Jellyfish is very tasty and healthy seafood. It is important to soak it over night and to wash it thoroughly. You can prepare jellyfish on different ways, but it is necessary to add some seasonings to make it tastier. Although many people love this seafood, there are others who consider that jellyfish can be poisonous even when it is cooked.
