The first crab sticks began to be made in Japan in the 20th century, after the crab population began to rapidly and significantly decline off the coast of the country. The locals did not want to part with their favorite seafood. In order not to pay exorbitant prices for the delicacy, the food industry of the land of the rising sun has found an elegant way out of the problem - to make a semi-finished product.
We will leave the useless discussion about the benefits or dangers of crab sticks (as well as any other convenience foods) for others. Today we will focus directly on what crab sticks are made of. Many have probably heard that despite their name, crab sticks are not made from crab meat. Crab sticks only imitate it. This is what makes them so affordable. This idea first came to minds of Japanese industrialists.
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Preparing crab sticks is quite simple. Crab sticks are based on fish meat, which is crushed, gets rid of all unnecessary moisture, filled with all kinds of additives, and then packed up and sent to a special freezer camera. Of course, "progress" does not stand still. The food industry was interested in making large sums of money at lower production costs. That is why the proportion of fish meat in crab sticks gradually began to decrease. But there were more and more additives.
Interesting fact: The "used to be better" principle is completely suitable for crab sticks. In the first decade, they contained more than 50% of fish meat. Today, the percentage of fish in crab sticks is about 25% of the mass of the product.
What are we, ordinary consumers, obliged to say "thank you" for the taste in your mouth that is really very similar to the taste of crab meat? At the heart of crab sticks is surimi - minced fish, which is created from the cheapest varieties of fish. First of all it is pollock and perch. Next, for cooking you need egg powderwhich is used to increase the level of protein in the food. To preserve the shape of the sticks, such a not very useful thing is used as starch.
In addition, crab sticks contain carrageenan - a substance for increasing the mass of the product. It allows you to reduce the cost of sticks. It is made from seaweed, which has antioxidant properties. Followed by nutritional supplements E420, 171 and 450, flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate, vegetable oil, as well as food colors and shock absorbers.
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Interesting fact: E420 171 and 450 additives are prohibited in a number of European countries, as they can cause an allergic reaction. Monosodium glutamate also has not the best fame, but its effects on the human body are still a matter of debate.
That, in fact, is all that "crab" sticks consist of. Everyone can verify this on their own, simply by taking the pack in their hands and reading the composition.
Continuing the topic, read about 5 quirky sausage dishes to make a great hot dog alternative and not only.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/061119/52326/