Sea Urchin

What Is Sea Urchin?

Sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) is a marine invertebrate known for its spiny spherical shell. It is common in the rocky, shallow waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean; the orange-yellow gonad tissue inside its shell (known worldwide as "uni") is the part that is eaten.

Its flavor is intense, salty-sweetish and distinctive; it is usually consumed raw. Since it contains very little meat relative to a large shell, it is considered a valuable seafood.

Nutritional Values of Sea Urchin

Sea urchin gonad is a relatively high-calorie seafood; 100 grams contains about 172 kcal of energy and 16 g protein. Since public-source nutrition data specific to this species is limited, these values should be considered approximate.

What Are the Benefits of Sea Urchin?

With its protein content, sea urchin is a special seafood consumed in small amounts as part of a balanced diet.

This information is general; sea urchin is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose Sea Urchin?

Fresh sea urchin should be bought alive; its spines should be moving and its shell sound.

• The spines should be moving; motionless spines indicate it is no longer alive.
• The shell should be sound and crack-free.
• When opened, the gonad tissue should be a vivid orange-yellow color; a pale-gray tone indicates freshness is gone.

How to Store Sea Urchin?

Sea urchin is a very quickly perishable seafood; when bought alive, it is recommended to consume it the same day, preferably right after opening.

Using Sea Urchin in the Kitchen

Sea urchin is usually eaten raw, with a small spoon straight from its own shell; in some cuisines it is also added to pasta sauce or sushi.

How to Open Sea Urchin?

After putting on thick gloves, a circle is cut around the mouth of the shell with scissors or a special knife, the shell is opened, and the digestive organs inside are carefully cleaned out, leaving only the orange-yellow gonad tissue.

Is Sea Urchin Eaten Raw?

Yes, the most common way to consume it is raw; the fresh gonad tissue is eaten directly from the shell with a spoon, optionally with a few drops of lemon.

Which Recipes Use Sea Urchin?

Raw sea urchin meze, sea urchin pasta and uni over sushi are the best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sea urchin good for?

Sea urchin is a seafood consumed in small amounts as part of a balanced diet, with its protein content. It is a food; it does not claim to treat any disease.

Which part of sea urchin is eaten?

Only the orange-yellow gonad tissue inside the shell is eaten; the other internal organs are cleaned out and discarded.

How is sea urchin harvested?

Sea urchin is usually harvested by hand from rocky seabeds while diving; care must be taken against its spines.

Why is sea urchin expensive?

The amount of edible gonad obtained from one sea urchin is quite small; the labor of harvesting and its quickly perishable nature also raise its price.

Can sea urchin be frozen?

Not recommended; the gonad tissue loses much of its texture and flavor quality when frozen, so it is best consumed fresh.