Hoi sam

"Hoi sam" is the name given to sea cucumber or sea slugs when used as an ingredient in a number of Chinese cuisines. Most cultures in East and Southeast Asia classify it as a delicacy.

Market

The Asian market for sea cucumber is estimated to be US$60 million. The dried form account for 95% of the sea cucumber trade annually in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea and Japan. The biggest re-exporter in the trade is China, Hong Kong and SingaporeHuang, Yao-Wen. Liu KeShun. Wang, Catharina Yung-Kang. Ang. [1999] (1999). ISBN 1566767369] . There are also 650 species of sea cucumbers, of which just 10 species have commercial value.

Variety

There is a fresh form and there is a dried form. Both the fresh and dried form are used for cooking. Individually the dried is also used for traditional Chinese medicine. There are a number of dishes made with hoi sum as this ingredient is expected to have a strong cultural emphasis on health. In most dishes, the sea cucumber comes out with a slippery texture. Common ingredients that go with "hoi sum" dishes include winter melon, dried scallop, broccoli , Chinese black mushroom, and Chinese cabbage.

ee also

* Bao yu
* Shark fin soup
* Buddha jumps over the wall

References