Holothuroidea | Sea Cucumber
LATIN NAME: Holothuroidea
COMMON NAME: Sea Cucumber (Hai Shen)
Species Profile
Sea cucumbers are soft-bodied echinoderms of the class Holothuroidea, relatives of starfish and sea urchins that slowly patrol the ocean floor. Prized in Chinese cuisine as Hai Shen, they have been harvested, gutted and dried for centuries, and the dried product rehydrates into one of the most celebrated textures in Chinese banqueting.
Hundreds of species are traded, from the large spiky Japanese sea cucumber to smooth-skinned tropical varieties, and quality varies enormously with species, origin and processing.
Science & Biotechnology
The body wall of the sea cucumber is essentially a cylinder of collagen, which is why properly rehydrated sea cucumber has its famous springy, gelatinous bite. Researchers have identified saponins such as frondoside A, chondroitin sulfate and unique peptides in sea cucumber tissue, and these compounds are studied in laboratory models for a range of biological activities.
Sea cucumber aquaculture has grown rapidly, especially in northern China, where pond and sea-ranching systems now supply a large share of the market and ease pressure on wild stocks.
Uses & Benefits
In the kitchen, rehydrated sea cucumber is braised with scallions, stewed in soups or served with rich sauces, valued for its texture and its ability to carry flavor. In traditional tonic thinking it is considered a gentle, nourishing food suitable for regular use.
Nutritionally it is a lean source of protein and collagen with very little fat, which makes it as interesting to modern cooks as to traditional ones.
Source & Harvest
Quality dried sea cucumber should be hard, completely dry and heavy for its size, with clean spikes and no salt crust or fishy smell. Overly light pieces are often puffed or salt- or sugar-laden to add weight, a common trick worth knowing about.
Rehydration is a patient process: soak in clean cold water, simmer gently, change the water daily and allow several days before cooking. Good sea cucumber rewards patience with an incomparable texture.
Our Take
Sea cucumber is a fine example of a traditional delicacy that modern nutrition science happens to like as well. A well-dried, unsweetened product and patient rehydration are the keys to quality.
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