How many different kinds of tuna cuts are there?


There are several tuna cuts.

An adult tuna weighs 225-250 kilos. Just like on other animals, the quality of the meat is different depending on where on the animal it sits.

Tuna meat from the stomach is called toro. It is fatter than meat from other places on the animal. In Japan, toro is an exclusive and expensive piece, which is full of flavor and umami. The meat is pink in color it is a piece used to make nigiri sushi.

Along the backbone of the tuna sits lean tuna, which is called Akama. The flesh is very red in color and the taste is similar to beef. In Japan, it is used for both nigiri and sashimi.

Then of course there are many other cuts where the fat content and taste are different. No two tuna are alike, so the quality and taste will vary from fish to fish.

In Europe, the selection of tuna cuts is not that big. The fishmongers sell one type of tuna cut that is often suitable both for sushi and for a delicious steak to be on the grill.

At the Sushi course for beginners, you will learn more fish for sushi.

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Zoë has lectured and held sushi courses for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What characterizes Nigiri sushi hand technique?

Nigiri
Nigiri sushi is a popular form of sushi which is known for its simplicity and elegance. Technique is used to make small hand rolled pieces of sushi consisting of a rice ball topped with fresh seafood.

It is important to use sushi rice to make nigiri sushi.

A nigiri rice ball is shaped by hand in a special way. To get a specific shape, the experienced sushi chef creates a small air bubble inside the rice ball. The sushi chef makes sure that the texture of the rice is firm enough to hold its shape. It should still soft enough to be edible and not too compact.

The sushi chef adds a small amount of wasabi directly onto a slice of fish. The slices of fish must have the correct size before placing it on the rice ball. With a few fingers and pressure the fish and rice are combined into a piece of tasty nigiri sushi.

Nigiri sushi hand technique requires care and skill to achieve the best result. An experienced sushi chef can create nigiri sushi that melts in your mouth. The perfect balance between the texture of the rice, the freshness of the fish and the taste of wasabi and soy sauce.

Read more about Sushi Chef & Sake Sommelier Zoë Escher

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Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.