Ebi – [Sushi | Foodlore]

Description

• Ebi. – 鰕 – (Shrimp, Prawn.)

Most crustaceans (Crabs, Lobsters, Shrimp, & Prawn) turn a bright red/orange hue when they’re heated/cooked. Are the Ebi-embarrassed? – Nah! – Rather, it’s because of a natural chemical reaction which is taking place under their shells! Their exoskeletons contain a pigment called “astaxanthin” which is activated by the heat! – Incidentally, the easiest way to tell the difference between “Shrimp” and “Prawn” is that Shrimp have a natural curve to their bodies, while prawn have flat bodies (& notably, 3 sets of pincers!) – Funnily enough; a modern North American slang term ‘shrimping’ – which means to “bend forward while working” or “to stare down at your screen for an extended period of time.” Is quite similar to an older Japanese slang word: “Ebigoshi” (蝦腰 – えびごし) which describes how the elderly “Bend over with age like a shrimp!” – (Now dear reader, please, sit up straight and unfurl your brow!) For this reason shrimp and lobsters are said to be symbols of longevity. yet another shrimp related/fishing expression: “海老で鯛を釣る” (“Ebi de tai wo tsuru”) means to “Throw away a shrimp and pull out a Tai/Red snapper.)” which means to make a massive return for a tiny investment or effort!