Bonito
Encyclopedia
Bonito is a name given to various species of medium-sized, predatory fish in the Scombridae
family. First, bonito most commonly refers to species in the genus Sarda, including the Atlantic bonito
(Sarda sarda) and the Pacific bonito
(Sarda chiliensis lineolata); second, in Japanese cuisine
, bonito refers to the skipjack tuna
(Katsuwonus pelamis), which, in Japan, is called by its local name, katsuo; and, third, bonito can generally refer to any of various scombroid fish related to, but smaller than, tuna.
Katsuo is used extensively in Japanese cusine. Aside from its prevalance as in raw preparation (e.g. sushi and sashimi), it is also smoked and dried to make katsuobushi
, an important ingredient in dashi
(a type of common Japanese fish stock). It is also a key ingredient in shiokara
.
Pacific and Atlantic bonito meat has a firm texture and a darkish color. The bonito has a moderate fat content. The meat of young or small bonito can be of lighter color, close to that of skipjack tuna
, and is sometimes used as a cheaper substitute of skipjack, especially for canning purposes. Bonito may not be marketed as tuna
in all countries, however. In Spain, tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is sometimes referred as Bonito del Norte.
The Atlantic bonito
is also found in the Black Sea
. Called palamut in Turkish, it grows to a size of 65 cm, and is a popular seasonal choice.
In Croatia
and Greece
the bonito is locally called "Palamida".
Bonito/Palamida can also be used in Greek cuisine as a substitute for Tuna
or Swordfish
to make the dish Lakerda, a pickled raw meze
.
Scombridae
Scombridae is the family of the mackerels, tunas, and bonitos, and thus includes many of the most important and familiar food fishes. The family consists of about 55 species in 15 genera and two subfamilies...
family. First, bonito most commonly refers to species in the genus Sarda, including the Atlantic bonito
Atlantic bonito
The Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda is a large mackerel-like fish of the family Scombridae. It is common in shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean where it is an important commercial and game fish.-Description:...
(Sarda sarda) and the Pacific bonito
Pacific bonito
Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis lineolata, is a marine species of bonito that is a game fighter but which is not highly thought of as a food fish....
(Sarda chiliensis lineolata); second, in Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes throughout Japan. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule...
, bonito refers to the skipjack tuna
Skipjack tuna
The skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, is a medium-sized perciform fish in the tuna family, Scombridae. It is otherwise known as the aku, arctic bonito, mushmouth, oceanic bonito, striped tuna, or victor fish...
(Katsuwonus pelamis), which, in Japan, is called by its local name, katsuo; and, third, bonito can generally refer to any of various scombroid fish related to, but smaller than, tuna.
Katsuo is used extensively in Japanese cusine. Aside from its prevalance as in raw preparation (e.g. sushi and sashimi), it is also smoked and dried to make katsuobushi
Katsuobushi
is the Japanese name for dried, fermented, and smoked skipjack tuna .Shaved Katsuobushi and dried kelp - kombu - are the main ingredients of dashi, a broth that forms the basis of many soups and sauces in Japanese cuisine.Katsuobushi's distinct umami flavor comes from its high...
, an important ingredient in dashi
Dashi
Dashi is a class of soup and cooking stock, considered fundamental to Japanese cooking. In 1980, Shizuo Tsuji wrote: "Many substitutes for dashi are possible, but without dashi, dishes are merely à la japonaise and lack the authentic flavor." Dashi forms the base for miso soup, clear broth, noodle...
(a type of common Japanese fish stock). It is also a key ingredient in shiokara
Shiokara
is a food in Japanese cuisine made from various marine animals that consists of small pieces of meat in a brown viscous paste of the animal's heavily salted, fermented viscera. The raw viscera are mixed with about 10% salt, 30% malted rice, packed in a closed container, and fermented for up to a...
.
Pacific and Atlantic bonito meat has a firm texture and a darkish color. The bonito has a moderate fat content. The meat of young or small bonito can be of lighter color, close to that of skipjack tuna
Skipjack tuna
The skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis, is a medium-sized perciform fish in the tuna family, Scombridae. It is otherwise known as the aku, arctic bonito, mushmouth, oceanic bonito, striped tuna, or victor fish...
, and is sometimes used as a cheaper substitute of skipjack, especially for canning purposes. Bonito may not be marketed as tuna
Tuna
Tuna is a salt water fish from the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers, and some species are capable of speeds of . Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, the muscle tissue of tuna ranges from pink to dark red. The red coloration derives from myoglobin, an...
in all countries, however. In Spain, tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is sometimes referred as Bonito del Norte.
The Atlantic bonito
Atlantic bonito
The Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda is a large mackerel-like fish of the family Scombridae. It is common in shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean where it is an important commercial and game fish.-Description:...
is also found in the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
. Called palamut in Turkish, it grows to a size of 65 cm, and is a popular seasonal choice.
In Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
the bonito is locally called "Palamida".
Bonito/Palamida can also be used in Greek cuisine as a substitute for Tuna
Tuna
Tuna is a salt water fish from the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers, and some species are capable of speeds of . Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, the muscle tissue of tuna ranges from pink to dark red. The red coloration derives from myoglobin, an...
or Swordfish
Swordfish
Swordfish , also known as broadbill in some countries, are large, highly migratory, predatory fish characterized by a long, flat bill. They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category, though elusive. Swordfish are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood...
to make the dish Lakerda, a pickled raw meze
Meze
Meze or mezze is a selection of small dishes served in the Mediterranean and Middle East as dinner or lunch, with or without drinks. In Levantine cuisines and in the Caucasus region, meze is served at the beginning of all large-scale meals....
.
Species
- Australian bonitoAustralian bonitoThe Australian bonito, horse mackerel or little bonito, Sarda australis is a fish of the family Scombridae and is found in eastern Australia and New Zealand. They swim at depths reaching depths of approximatley 30 m , in open water...
, Sarda australis (Macleay, 1881). - Sarda chiliensis (CuvierGeorges CuvierGeorges Chrétien Léopold Dagobert Cuvier or Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier , known as Georges Cuvier, was a French naturalist and zoologist...
, 1832).- Eastern Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis chiliensis (CuvierGeorges CuvierGeorges Chrétien Léopold Dagobert Cuvier or Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier , known as Georges Cuvier, was a French naturalist and zoologist...
, 1832). - Pacific bonitoPacific bonitoPacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis lineolata, is a marine species of bonito that is a game fighter but which is not highly thought of as a food fish....
, Sarda chiliensis lineolata (GirardCharles Frédéric GirardCharles Frédéric Girard was a French biologist specializing in ichthyology and herpetology.Born in Mulhouse, France, he studied at the College of Neuchâtel, Switzerland as a student of Louis Agassiz. In 1847, he accompanied Agassiz as his assistant to Harvard...
, 1858).
- Eastern Pacific bonito, Sarda chiliensis chiliensis (Cuvier
- Striped bonitoStriped bonitoThe Striped Bonito is a species of marine perciform fish. They have been recorded at lengths of , though they are commonly no longer than . Distributed through the Eastern and Indo-Pacific, the striped bonito is known to occur at depths from ....
, Sarda orientalis (TemminckCoenraad Jacob TemminckCoenraad Jacob Temminck was a Dutch aristocrat and zoologist.Temminck was the first director of the National Natural History Museum at Leiden from 1820 until his death. His Manuel d'ornithologie, ou Tableau systematique des oiseaux qui se trouvent en Europe was the standard work on European birds...
& SchlegelHermann SchlegelHermann Schlegel was a German ornithologist and herpetologist.-Early life and education:Schlegel was born at Altenburg, the son of a brassfounder. His father collected butterflies, which stimulated Schlegel's interest in natural history...
, 1844). - Atlantic bonitoAtlantic bonitoThe Atlantic bonito, Sarda sarda is a large mackerel-like fish of the family Scombridae. It is common in shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean where it is an important commercial and game fish.-Description:...
, Sarda sarda (BlochMarcus Elieser BlochMarcus Elieser Bloch was a German medical doctor and naturalist. He is generally considered one of the most important ichthyologists of the 18th century.- Life :...
, 1793).