Krill

What Is Krill?

Krill is a small, shrimp-like crustacean that lives in enormous swarms in cold ocean waters, especially around Antarctica (Euphausia superba). It is usually no more than a few centimeters long.

Krill plays an important role at the base of the ocean food chain and is a major food source for whales, penguins, and seals. It is also harvested for human consumption and is traditionally known as “okiami” in Japan. Because it is a crustacean like shrimp, people with a shellfish allergy should avoid krill and krill products completely.

Krill Nutrition Facts

One hundred grams of raw krill contains about 92 kcal and is high in protein and omega-3 fats. Values are approximate.

How Should Krill Be Consumed?

Krill, which is high in protein and omega-3s, can be part of a balanced diet. Products intended for human consumption are generally available dried, as a paste, or as a supplement in capsule form.

This is general information; krill is a food, not a medical treatment.

How to Choose Krill

A good krill product has a vivid pink-red color, a fresh sea smell, and leakproof packaging. Faded color and a musty smell in dried krill are signs that it is stale.

• It should have a vivid pink-red color.
• It should smell fresh and briny.
• The package should be leakproof and the product within its date.

How to Store Krill

Krill can be stored in the freezer for an extended period. Fresh krill spoils very quickly, so it is generally available frozen or dried.

Using Krill in the Kitchen

In Japanese cuisine, krill is most often salted and made into a paste called “okiami,” or dried and sprinkled on food like a seasoning. It is also an important raw material for fish feed and omega-3 supplements.

Are Krill and Small Shrimp the Same?

No. Although both are crustaceans, they are different kinds of animals. Krill are smaller and belong to a different taxonomic group (Euphausiacea); they are generally used in processed products or for feed and supplements rather than served directly as food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is krill eaten directly by people?

Yes. It is eaten especially in Japan as a paste or in dried form, but most krill harvested worldwide is used to produce fish feed and omega-3 supplements.

Is krill oil different from fish oil?

Both are sources of omega-3s, but the omega-3s in krill oil are carried in a different molecular structure called phospholipids. This structure has been discussed in some studies in relation to absorption, but science has not established a clear claim of superiority.

Is krill fishing controversial from an environmental perspective?

Because krill are at the base of the Antarctic food chain, overfishing could affect ecosystem balance. For this reason, krill fishing is limited by international quotas and regulations.