This article may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Uni is a Japanese word for sea urchin (pronounced as oo-nee, not you-nee). Encased in a shell, uni is well known for its long and sharp spines.
The spine and its tubular tentacles protect it from predators and allow it to move freely along the coral reefs underwater. The only part of the uni that you can eat is the roe and the best time to enjoy this is usually in the late summer. But what does uni taste like?
Uni has a unique and savoury texture with an umami flavor that tastes buttery and melts in the mouth. The taste of the uni depends on the uni you are tasting and a few other factors; you can either pick up uni with sweet notes or metallic notes.
What Does Uni Taste Like?
This is the second most common question when it comes to uni, and for people who have tastes uni, would know that it has a very mind-blowing taste.
Umami at its peak, think of uni like the ice cream of the sea, and depending on its variety, gender, and diet, uni comes with different flavour profiles.
Uni is a bit slimy, and it melts almost immediately it enters your mouth. It is coloured custard-like but just lighter. When your uni does not taste fishy but instead tastes like the notes of the ocean, then you have tasted good uni.
Many people have their opinion about the taste of uni, but most of these fall on the better of the taste profile. Most people who dislike uni probably got it from a low-quality restaurant because it is one delicate tasting dish.
See Also: What Does Truffles Taste Like?
Why Does Some Uni Taste Bad?
When some uni starts to lose its freshness, a lot of additives like alum are added to it to maintain its shape, and when this is done, the uni tends to taste funny; I’m not saying this is the reason, but yes, this is one of the primary reasons most times.
To get quality uni by telling which is harmful and still fresh, you should pay close attention to the looks of the uni and make sure it still looks new, bright, and vibrant in color.
The texture also has a significant role to play, good uni has a firm texture, but it still manages to melt comfortably in your mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Uni Taste Like Fish?
Good uni does not taste like fish, but instead it has faint traces of seafood. Uni can only be a bit slimy based on the variety, gender, and diet. If your uni tastes like fish, there is a possibility that you did not get good uni or you had spoilt uni.
Is Uni Safe to Eat?
Uni is considered a delicacy in Japan, even if it seems like it is unsafe to eat this spiny and stingy sea urchin. People in Japan, the Mediterranean, Chile, and even the USA regularly enjoy this savoury seafood.
Can You Eat Uni Raw?
Raw is the best way you can eat them. All you have to do is get your fresh sea urchins or dive for them but ensure that you put on gloves so that you do not have gloves to avoid getting stung, and if you do not have gloves, you wrap this urchin in a towel a substitute method.
After this has been done, cut across the urchin base with a pair of scissors; after this, drain out all the dark liquid contained in the urchin; you can flip it over a sink to achieve that. You can now use your spoon to scrape out all the yellow or orange innards in it. The innards are referred to as roe.
You can now rinse off the roe in saltwater and then transfer them to a bowl of saltwater. You can now rinse them off in this bowl to remove all brown residues from the insides. After this, what is left is keeping the uni chilled until you are ready to eat it.
It is that easy!
Is Eating Sea Urchins Healthy?
Yes, consuming sea urchins is healthy. Uni is rich in dietary fibre, minerals like zinc and beta-carotene, which is gotten from its kelp diet. It is also rich in vitamins C and A, and high in omega-3 fatty acids.
See Also: What Does Saffron Taste Like?
What Color Should Uni Be?
Uni lobes should be either bright yellow or bright orange and may sometimes look pale or have an odd color, and most times, it is old or spoilt.