Bonito is a kind of tuna and Katsuobushi is dried, fermented, smoky fish fillets. They are quite popular in Japanese cuisine and are used for adding flavors to many dishes. Check out our Bonito Flakes and Dried Bonito Flakes with some interesting facts and details.
Katsuobushi (Dried Bonito Flakes)
Let’s see what makes Katsuobushi so special!
- It is used in Japanese cuisine to make soups and sauces.
- Not only this but also it is best for garnishing purposes.
- With its savory taste, Katsuobushi is loved by many to be used for flavorings.
- Also known as ‘okada’ and ‘dancing fish flakes, it is used for decorative purposes on hot foods as well due to its movements when steam or heat is provided.
- Besides being amazing in providing taste, it typically comes in pink to brown color.
- The entire process of making it takes many months, see in detail below.
- Talking about size, they are either fine or coarse, the bulkier ones possess a strong taste.
- In the 1670s, katsuobushi was made for the first time.
For some interesting blends of Katsuobushi recipes, visit Japanese Cooking 101.
How To Cook Dried Bonito Flakes?
Bonito fish is used in making these flakes and is grated well. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking this item:
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Cutting
The bonito fish is cut into 3 parts (the right side, the left side, and the spine portion). Likewise, four Fushi (dried bonito pieces) are made by a single fish. The top two fillets are known as male fillets while the bottom two are known as female fillets.
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Placing in Basket (kagodate)
A boiling basket known as ‘Nikago’ is used to keep the bonito fish in an organized manner. Similarly, care is taken while putting the fish in the basket in such a way that all pieces are boiled properly.
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Boiling Procedure
The optimum temperature for boiling the bonito is 75-98 degrees centigrade. The time required is 1.5 to 2.5 hours which may vary with fish.
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Separating Bones
Small-sized bones are later on removed with the help of tweezers to clean the fish. It requires much attention and care.
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Smoking the bonito
After removing the skin and bones, the bonito is smoked by cherry blossom and oak. This process is repeated multiple times until the desired result is obtained.
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Surface Shaving
The tar with some fat is then shaved off from the surface of the fish to get a clean bonito flake with some other little procedures.
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Drying
Nothing is better than the sunlight for drying purposes, hence the bonito is kept under the sun for 2 to 3 days. It is a very long process and after applying mold on the surface, the whole process is repeated multiple times. The bonito is reduced in weight and it takes almost 6 months to 2 years to do so.
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Shaving
Specially designed shavers are used to get the classically shaped bonito flakes. If the shaver is not good, it may turn the dried bonito into powder.
Quick Dashi
These dried flakes are then put into boiled water (30 g flakes in 1 liter of boiled water). Keep them for almost 1-2 minutes till the flakes sink, filter them and your Dashi made with Bonito Flakes is ready!
Nutritional Facts of Bonito Flakes
These values are calculated according to the 2000 daily diet.
- One serving has 5 calories.
- 0 % fat so no calories are obtained from fats.
- Cholesterol is 1 mg, Sodium 4 mg, and Potassium 13 mg.
- No carbohydrates, sugars, or fibers.
- Proteins 1 g, no calcium.
Japanese Moving Meals
The stylish Japanese cuisine has been famous for its squid dishes that show movement when soy sauce is poured on them. The soy sauce simply activates the muscles causing them to contract.
Bonito flakes look simply fascinating when the dish is heated, it seems as if they are dancing. Hence, in Japan, fish can dance. The bonito flakes are so light in weight that they start moving even upon slight heating. As mentioned above, it takes a long time to prepare them so most people prefer buying them from grocery stores instead of making them at home. The better the shaving is performed, the more light and fascinating they appear.
Types of Bonito Flakes
There are two types of Bonito Flakes:
- The ones that are quite thin and used commonly.
- The other one is ‘Devil Katsuobushi’ bearing deep red color that denotes the traditional Japanese devil statues.
Likewise, it would not be wrong to say that Japanese cuisine is full of colors depicting their traditions and culture. People love food and not only in Japan, but this unique cuisine is known for its rich taste and flavors all across the globe.
The Unique Taste
The bonito flakes have a distinctive taste and are not fishy at all. Despite being made from fish, they taste umami which has become the fifth most used flavor of American cuisine. More like a mushroom’s taste, they are also used for garnishing purposes.
Also, check out some interesting facts about Kale.
Bonito Flakes – Applications
- The Dashi, broth made from flakes are mixed with fermented miso paste for making miso soup. Japanese have also used bonito soups for colds and to improve the circulation of blood in the human body.
- As per the reports of 2008, the aged Japanese who ingested such broth got much better. It not only improved their emotional state but also their systolic blood pressure readings.
- Besides that, it also turned out to be a perfect cure for anxiety and depression. It not only enhanced decision-making power but also the communication skills of its consumers. The DNA damage was also much lessened by the intake of broth made from bonito flakes.
- Similarly, bonito flakes are a great option if you have limited resources available. They can be bought easily and are the most economical stock available.
- They are also beneficial for use as seasoning items and toppings sprinkled on a variety of dishes like rice, tofu, and others.
- In soaps and casseroles, they can be used in place of stock cubes.
Hence, if you need quick meals and no fish head is available, try out the bonito flakes that work amazingly in no time. They have a large number of applications and are popular everywhere now.
Where to Buy Bonito Flakes
Well, it is a very simple and easy procedure. You can buy them at local stores near you and if not possible, there is a facility for ordering them online. You just have to install the app Spices Inc and log in to it. There are plenty of options for you to add such delicious items to your cart.
Share your thoughts and experiences regarding bonito flakes in the comment section and keep following Extra Vegetables!
