Description
Tobiko is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain function and blood vessel health. Roe also contains minerals including Vitamin B12, D, Zinc, and dietary fibre, which are important for a healthy metabolism and digestive tract and strong bones and a robust immune system.
Tobiko is commonly used as a component in California rolls and as a topping for various sushi meals. Its vivid colour and excellent texture enhance the dish’s beauty and appeal. This garnish is typically used to lend a salty smokiness to raw Japanese cuisine—dry pink wines created from the Grenache vine pair nicely with tobiko foods.
Flying fish are a curious family of ray-finned fish found living primarily in marine surface waters, able to speedily propel themselves out of the water and glide significant distances (50 to 400 meters) through the air thanks to their streamlined bodies and oversized, wing-like fins. They are thought to have developed this adaptation in order to escape predation by other fish at the cost of exposing themselves to less-common airborne predators.
Despite what its common name might imply, this fish can be found throughout the world’s tropical and subtropical oceans, although the largest populations are located in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. They usually reach lengths of 25 to 30 cm upon maturity and are considered a Least Concern species in terms of conservation status.
The roe of this fish is tiny and crunchy, larger than capelin roe but smaller than salmon roe, and filled with a pleasantly smoky, mildly sweet, and slightly salty flavor. It’s prized in Japan as a tasty garnish typically used atop exquisite sashimi, sushi rolls, crab cakes, salmon fillets, and other seafood dishes. Available in four different varieties (orange, wasabi, red, and black), this tiny and brightly colored caviar is the perfect choice for creating authentic sushi at home or garnishing appetizers and hors d’oeuvres.
