Demystifying the Mystery Behind Imitation Crab Meat

Many people have tried it, and most have enjoyed it, but the majority are also left wondering 'what was it?' The mystery behind imitation crab meat is not so mysterious at all, but is a blend of processed fish. While the whole idea of 'blending' various concoctions of fish does not sound appealing to all, the beauty behind this fish, better known as 'Surimi' is that it can be purchased in a form of the upmost quality and freshness. It's easy to tell which is which, one only has to glance at the package and see that it's made from 'real Alaskan whitefish.'

It's a guarantee that Alaskan seafood is caught fresh and wild due to strict sustainability standards for the fishing industry in the entire state. These rules and regulations are actually laws written into the state constitution, and therefore consumers know that any seafood product that comes from Alaska was caught fresh and wild from a sustainable source. When blended in with ingredients to give texture, various flavors and colors, Surimi can be made into what is commonly known as 'imitation crab meat,' or any number of other cuts and styles of seafood product.

While this product was only introduced in the United States in the 1970s, thereby making many people skeptical about its safety for consumption, the Japanese have been making Surimi and using it in the making and production of foods for nearly 1,000 years. The difference today is that the fishing industry allows for fish to be caught in bulk. In the past, this product, referred to traditionally by the Japanese as 'kamaboko,' was only made in small quantities at a time because quite simply only a small quantity of fish could be caught at a time. While the manufacturing technology to mass produce kamaboko was invented in Japan as well in the mid-forties, the product took a while to catch on in the United States.

The most important thing to remember when looking for real Alaska Surimi at the store or at the local seafood market is to look for, or ask for, genuine Surimi from Alaska! There are a variety of flavors like crab, shrimp, scallops, or lobster, and this product always comes pre-cooked for easy preparation. It can be easily added to salads, soups, sandwiches, dips and a variety of other products without any hassle, or even heating, for easy lunch time and dinner alternatives! When it comes from Alaska, you can always rest assured that the main ingredient is quality, and boneless Alaska Pollock fillets.

There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaska seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great instructional videos to show you just how to create the perfect dish.