The first to invent crab sticks were the Japanese. It happened back in 1973. The product was called Kanikama and was a compressed fishing waste. In Russia, similar products appeared a little later. This product is currently available under various brand names. But the Vici crab sticks are most familiar to the mass buyer. To have an idea about this product, you need to learn about it as much as possible.
Manufacturing process
A product similar to modern crab sticks was produced in the Soviet Union in Murmansk in the eighties. Then, according to GOST, it was pressed minced meat made from fish and shrimp raw materials with the addition of aromatic and flavoring additives, as well as various food colors. Nowadays, popular Vici crab sticks are produced using almost the same technology.
The whole process consists of several stages:
- First, in the seas of the basins of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, fish such as hake, blue whiting and pollock are caught.
- Then the raw material is subjected to special processing and washing. The result is minced “surimi”. The unusual name of the semi-finished product is taken from the famous Japanese dish, which is prepared by freezing and then grinding the meat of shrimp or white fish.
- The obtained jelly mass is first frozen, and then the necessary additives are added to it and, by mixing, they turn everything into a homogeneous mixture.
- In special installations, it is rolled into a layer and treated with steam.
- The cooled sheet material is twisted in the form of a roll, and then cut it into individual blanks, previously wrapping it in a film.
- Sticks fall asleep in polymer packaging.
- In vacuum installations, air is pumped out of them and then sealed.
- After that, the product is pasteurized.
- Next, the finished product is frozen (minus 18 degrees).
And after that, Vici crab sticks go to retail outlets, and from there - to the consumer’s table.
Practical use
Each food product has its own field of application. This is due to its features, properties and taste characteristics. Vici crab sticks are most often used for making wonderful rolls, light and fragrant sandwiches, as well as all kinds of salads. In addition, slices of tender pressed minced meat are sometimes baked in batter. It turns out an original product like a hot sandwich. Although cold, it will also be quite tasty. In some cases, crab sticks are used as the basis for stuffing. All kinds of fillings are wrapped in them. Such products are ideal for receptions as a light meal. Sometimes, on the contrary, sticks in a complex mixture are wrapped, for example, in pita bread. Experienced housewives are able to cook wonderful cutlets from ordinary crab sticks by mixing chopped semi-finished product with grated cheese and semolina. Such products are very popular with children. And any adult with pleasure will agree to please himself with a pair of fragrant cutlets as a light breakfast. Some craftsmen even make cold soups from them. It all depends on desire, skills and flight of imagination.
Crab meat
On the shelves of stores in familiar packaging, you can sometimes find a product called "crab meat." What is it and how does it differ from the wands familiar to all? Many believe that there is no difference between these products.
There is an opinion that crab meat is pieces that remain in the production after cutting the twisted bundle into sticks. In fact, such a product can be considered production waste. But manufacturers do not agree with this. According to them, the mixture for the production of such meat contains broth. As a result, the finished product is softer and more juicy. Indeed, before it was. Pieces of meat in vacuum packaging always seemed more delicate and aromatic than dry sticks. Now the quality of both products is almost equal. At least this opinion has developed among consumers. Therefore, for salads and other dishes where it is necessary to grind the components, they buy meat, since in stores it, in addition to everything, is sold at a lower price.
Manufacturing company
Who produces the famous Vici crab sticks? The manufacturer and owner of the brand that has already become famous is the Lithuanian company Vichiunai. It was formed in 1991 immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The main office of the company is located in the city of Kaunas, and the main production workshops are located in the three former republics: Lithuania (the city of Plunge), Estonia (Tallinn) and the Kaliningrad region (Sovetsk). Most of the company's products are exported.
Over the years, the company has been working closely with more than 36 countries. Currently, its representative offices are located in Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium. In addition to the popular crab sticks, many other products are produced under the Vici trademark : frozen and smoked fish, as well as various products from “crab meat” (claws, sausages). Over 25 years of fruitful work, the Vici brand has become an undeniable benchmark for quality and exquisite taste, and the company itself is recognized as the largest producer of surimi, fish cookery and various seafood in the world.
Composition of the product
Thousands of people buy original red and white seafood in stores every day. Most of them, of course, know that there are no crabs in it. But from this the desire to eat it does not disappear. However, many are still interested in what Vici crab sticks are made of. The composition of this complex product is quite diverse.
In addition to surimi (minced fish), it includes: water, vegetable oil, salt, starch, egg white, as well as food additives:
- dyes (120, 160, 131);
- flavor crab, identical to natural;
- thickener (E407);
- enhancers of aroma and taste (E621, 627, 631).
A rich set of chemical components once again confirms the popular expression in the people that during the production of sticks not a single crab was harmed. Yes, and it’s difficult to talk about fish as such in this product. After all, as you know, surimi are made from waste, so you should not even talk about any taste or benefit. But this does not stop buyers who are happy to purchase a popular product, focusing solely on its name.
Natural supplements
Among the rich assortment of products of a well-known company, there are also such instances that should be paid closer attention. This is a new brand of Vici - crab sticks with meat of natural crab.
There really is no deception here. The product does include some crab meat. True, it cannot be said that this greatly affects his taste. Although there is still a light, but rather pleasant scent of shrimp. But the price of such a product is 2-3 times higher than usual. Nevertheless, the presence of such an additive makes many people opt for this product. Of course, after all, any buyer subconsciously strives for something natural. And it doesn’t matter how much this precious component is contained there. To increase the demand for goods, the manufacturer makes an appropriate inscription on the packaging, which, of course, attracts the attention of the buyer. Information works as additional advertising and ultimately leads to the desired result.
Customer reviews
Nowadays, probably, there is no such person who would never try Vici crab sticks. The reviews for this product are nonetheless mixed. The vast majority of buyers confirm the good quality and good taste characteristics of the goods.
Typically, these sticks have an elastic juicy texture and a pleasant delicate smell. But sometimes there are packages in which the products practically crumble in their hands from a lack of moisture. In addition, in recent years, complaints of poisoning after eating foods that included Vici sticks have become more frequent. This circumstance made the representatives of Roskontrol more closely examine the products of a well-known company. The results were disappointing. For a number of indicators (an underestimated amount of protein, as well as the presence of undeclared chemical additives), some product names were blacklisted and banned for sale in Russia.
Product energy value
According to nutritionists, it is not worth talking about some special benefits of crab sticks. True, fish stock is used to make this product.
But the producers do not specify that the surimi in the factories are not made from fresh fish fillet at all, as it should ideally be. As a rule, frozen products or general production waste are used. They are thoroughly washed to remove black films, bones and other substances. The result is an elastic light minced meat with high gelling ability. The finished product is obtained after adding the rest of the ingredients to the recipe.
What is the caloric content of Vici crab sticks in this case? Depending on the specific product, it can be 69-139.7 kilocalories. In principle, this is quite a bit. Low calorie sticks are most suitable for daily use, since the percentage of minced fish in them is higher. Accordingly, there is less harmful “chemistry” in such products. It is to these instances that it is worth giving preference.