Seafood lovers all over the country love crab cakes, but some have vowed to never eat them again after finding out what they’re made of.
A Reddit user posted a video of the process that shows how the fishy sticks are made in a factory in Thailand.
And many have been left horrified by the reality – with people branding them “fish hot dogs.”
The salty snack starts out as a gray slab of frozen fish meat. It then goes into a machine and is broken up into small pieces.
Next, it moves onto a second machine where other ingredients are added – including salt and egg white.
The fishy mix is then blended with several ice cubes, before factory workers add vegetable oil and sugars.
Then it goes through a tube that turns it into a slimy gray paste. Finally, it is rolled into a rectangle-shaped strip.
For those who are interested, the unique coating is naturally colored surimi, which is a paste made from fish or other meat.
Finally, the crabsticks are wrapped in plastic and frozen. They are then put into boxes by workers and put on store shelves.
Many shocked people on social media commented on the video, which they said was taken inside the world’s biggest crabstick factory.
Because the first paste was gray, a third joked, “Everything okay, honey? You haven’t touched your gray in a while.” ”.
Crab sticks, also known as krab sticks, sea legs, imitation crab meat or seafood sticks – have become an extremely popular seafood product over the last few decades. But what exactly are crab sticks made of? Let’s demystify this mystery meat of the sea.
A Brief History
The origins of crab sticks can be traced back to 1974 in Japan when Sugiyo Co. first produced and patented an imitation crab meat product called Kanikama. This was made into flakes to resemble picked crab meat.
In 1975, Osaki Suisan Co. patented the process to make imitation crab sticks. The imitation crab sticks were introduced to the American market in 1977 through a partnership between Sugiyo and the Berelson Company in San Francisco.
While they were called Kanikama in Japan, internationally they were marketed under names like Krab Sticks, Ocean Sticks, Sea Legs and Imitation Crab Sticks. However, regulations now restrict branding them as “Crab Sticks” in many places, since they usually don’t contain much real crab meat, if any
Surimi – The Main Ingredient
The primary ingredient in imitation crab sticks is surimi. Surimi is a Japanese word that means “ground meat”. It refers to fish meat that has been deboned, processed and refined into a paste.
The most common fish used to make surimi for crab sticks is Alaskan Pollock from the North Pacific Ocean. Surimi processing involves repeatedly washing the minced fish meat to remove fat, odors and extraneous bits. This yields a flexible paste that can be shaped to resemble crab meat.
Surimi on its own lacks flavor. Imitation crab stick producers add crab flavoring, typically artificial, to simulate the taste of real crab meat.
Other Common Ingredients
In addition to surimi, some other common ingredients used in crab sticks include:
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Starch – Potato, corn or wheat starch to help bind and firm up the product.
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Egg whites – Provides protein and improves texture and appearance.
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Sugar/Sorbitol – For sweetness and to maintain quality after freezing.
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Vegetable oil – For texture, whiteness and shelf life.
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Salt – For flavor and to help bind the fish paste.
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Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – For flavor enhancement.
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Crab flavoring – Artificial crab extract or powder.
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Carmine dye – Red food coloring from cochineal insects.
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Preservatives – To extend shelf life.
The Production Process
The basic production process for crab sticks is as follows:
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Surimi paste is combined with starch, egg whites, sugar, oil, MSG, preservatives, coloring and other ingredients in a blender.
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The resulting mixture is cooked and pressed into molds to form the crab stick shapes.
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The shaped crab sticks are sealed and pasteurized.
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They are then cooled and packaged for distribution and sale.
Modern mass production of crab sticks is highly automated, but the basic steps remain similar.
Nutrition Comparison to Real Crab
While crab sticks contain fish protein from the surimi, their nutritional value is quite different from real crab meat.
A 3 oz serving of imitation crab sticks contains:
- Calories: 82
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 0.4g
- Carbs: 13g
In comparison, a 3 oz serving of cooked king crab meat contains:
- Calories: 82
- Protein: 17g
- Fat: 1.3g
- Carbs: 0g
As you can see, real crab has significantly more protein, fewer carbs and a bit more healthy fat. Imitation crab sticks are largely carbs from the added starch.
Real crab also has more vitamins and minerals like B12, selenium and zinc. So while crab sticks can add flavor, real crab delivers more nutrition.
Pros and Cons of Imitation Crab Sticks
Some benefits of imitation crab sticks:
- Affordable price compared to real crab
- Convenience – ready to eat from package
- Can be labeled gluten-free or non-GMO
Some drawbacks:
- Highly processed product
- Nutritionally inferior to real crab
- Environmental impact of surimi manufacturing
- Allergy risks from ingredients like carmine dye
Imitation crab sticks are a popular product that can add seafood flavor at a budget price. But they are a highly processed food made from surimi paste and flavorings rather than real crab meat. They lack the superior nutrition of fresh crab.
Used in moderation as an occasional substitute for pricier seafood, crab sticks can be an acceptable option. However, they shouldn’t become a daily diet staple. When possible, indulge in delicious real crab for better nutrition and enjoyment!
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How are Seafood Sticks made?
FAQ
Are crab sticks healthy?
Are crab sticks processed meat?
What are Australian crab sticks made of?
Do Crabsticks contain tripe?
L. Pearce You have been reading fake news, No. Crabsticks do not contain tripe. They contain fish. You may call them crabsticks however, like a Gold Coast con artist, they are also known by many other names. Sometimes they are called fish sticks, seafood extender and even “seafood highlighter”, a name that sounds like a bizarre iridescent fish-pen.
What are crab sticks made of?
Crab sticks, krab sticks, snow legs, imitation crab ( meat ), or seafood sticks are a type of seafood made of starch and finely pulverized white fish ( surimi) that has been shaped and cured to resemble the leg meat of snow crab or Japanese spider crab. It is a product that uses fish meat to imitate shellfish meat.
Do crab sticks contain crab meat?
While they are made to look like crab meat, most crab sticks do not contain any actual crab. That’s why they are often just called seafood sticks or imitation crab. The main ingredient of crab sticks is surimi – finely pulverised white fish – most commonly Alaska pollock.
What are crab sticks used for?
Crab sticks, also known as imitation crab meat or seafood sticks, are a popular type of seafood alternative. They are widely used in sushi rolls, salads, and various other dishes. But have you ever wondered how crab sticks are made?