Crab sticks are a "imitation of crab meat" that is hearty, tasty and affordable for the majority of the population. Culinary invention has long regained its rightful place on a casual or festive table, bright snacks and salads with seafood are highly valued. Snow crab sticks are quite popular among consumers. The article will tell you in detail about the composition, calories, benefits of the product and much more.
Excursion into the past
Residents of Russia and several other countries (including European) got acquainted with the taste of crab sticks thanks to enterprising Japanese. In the last century, the country of the rising sun faced a shortage of crab meat from which many dishes were prepared, it was cooked and fried, added to soups and salads, sushi was stuffed with a favorite delicacy. It was then that the idea arose to replace the product with minced fish, pre-mixed with starch, paprika and egg powder.
The fish fillet was turned into a mushy mass, sticks were formed from small sticks and frozen in a freezer. Over time, in order to reduce the cost and improve the visual qualities of crab sticks, they began to process food dyes and partially changed the composition. To date, the mass fraction of fish in the product does not exceed 45%.
What's inside the package
Snow crab sticks are a ready-to-eat product that does not need additional heat treatment. The similarity with the original taste of meat of the inhabitants of the deep sea is achieved due to the presence of Crab flavoring in the minced fish and natural dye (paprika). Surimi has a low energy value, sometimes the product is included in the diet menu. So, in 100 g of crab sticks "Meridian" Snow Crab "contains 140 kcal, in a similar seafood brand Vici - less than 74 calories.
List of main ingredients:
- Surimi. Concentrated fish protein is prepared from white fish fillet (pollock, hake, saffron cod, blue whiting and others). As a result of multi-stage processing, a light, homogeneous mass is obtained, the minced meat has a high jelly-forming ability and elasticity.
- Starch. It is added as a water-retaining and binding agent. Due to starch, the volume and elasticity of the sticks increase.
- Egg powder. Increases the proportion of protein in the seafood "Snow Crab".
- Purified Drinking Water.
In addition, the composition of crab sticks "Snow Crab" includes several flavorings, salt and sweetener. To give the product a familiar color, use harmless forms of dyes: carmines and paprika oil resins (E160c). In crab sticks "Snow crab" Vici and "Meridian" polyphosphate plays the role of a water-retaining component.
Useful properties and harm
Unfortunately, after processing, the amount of vitamins, macronutrients and fish oil in surimi is minimized. However, sticks are rich in easily digestible protein, a deficiency of which leads to problems with the thyroid gland, a decrease in muscle mass and weakening of the heart muscle. In addition, minced fish contains methionine, an essential acid known for its hepatoprotective and metabolic effects.
The flavors and dyes used to soak the crab sticks “Snow Crab” are approved for use in the food industry. They are considered safe, but absolutely do not increase the biological value of the protein. It is advisable to exclude an artificially created product from the children's diet. Parents should take into account the increased susceptibility of the baby's body to "chemistry", it is preferable to cook dishes of fresh fish.
Choosing a quality product
At the sight of a wide assortment of crab sticks, even the most determined buyer can be confused. The following recommendations will help you choose the best quality product.
Experts advise to pay attention to the presentation of the crab sticks "Snow Crab" in the store. The product is characterized by an elastic, dense texture. Do not ignore expiration date and storage requirements. If the sticks are crookedly packaged, vary in size, look frozen, dry, or sticky, pass by. Carefully study the composition of the "Snow Crab". Surimi should come first. This means that the product is made in accordance with all standards, consists of fish by about a third. Keep in mind that if you overdid it with flour or used low-value breeds of fish, crab sticks will be almost gray in color.
Customer reviews
The lion's share of reviews about crab sticks "Snow Crab" is extremely positive. And not surprising, because the product belongs to the budget price category, people are satisfied with its taste, safe composition and rich color. Buyers note that the "Snow Crab" is convenient to cut and rub on salads, the sticks unfold with a ribbon, and do not turn into a sticky mass at the slightest pressure. It is important that among the components there is no flavor enhancer - monosodium glutamate.
A protein diet based on crab sticks has proven itself well, it is easily tolerated, and there is no hunger, fatigue, or other side effects. This method of weight loss has contraindications, including: kidney, liver, atopic dermatitis, an allergic reaction to marine fish species. As for the negative reviews about the product, they come from adherents of a healthy diet. Nobody argues that it makes no sense to attribute the beneficial properties of crabs to chopsticks, but there is also no need to refuse the use of a popular food product.
People joke: “Crab sticks are the most humane product: not a single crab was harmed during their manufacture”, but nevertheless, the demand for successful “imitation” of noble-white meat is growing. When choosing "Snow Crab" we recommend that you give preference to such well-known brands as Vici and Meridian. Avoid unscrupulous manufacturers and enjoy your meal!