Sea pineapple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sea pineapple |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Subphylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: |
Stolidobranchia
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| Family: |
Pyuridae
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| Genus: |
Halocynthia
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| Species: |
H. roretzi
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| Binomial name | |
| Halocynthia roretzi (Von Drasche, 1884)
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The sea pineapple (Halocynthia roretzi) is a unique sea creature. It is a type of sea squirt that people can eat. It gets its name because it looks a bit like a pineapple.
This animal is mostly eaten in Korea, where it is called meongge (멍게). It is also popular in Japan, known there as hoya or maboya.
Sea pineapples have a very unusual look. They also have a special taste that some people describe as strong or unique. Fans of sea pineapple say its flavor goes well with sake, a Japanese drink. Scientists believe a tiny amount of a substance called cynthiaol gives it its distinct taste.
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Where Sea Pineapples Live
Sea pineapples live in shallow ocean waters. You can often find them attached to rocks. They also stick to structures made by humans, like docks. This is a type of marine biofouling, which means living things growing on underwater surfaces.
Halocynthia roretzi prefers cold water. It can live in temperatures from 2°C to 24°C (36°F to 75°F). But it grows best when the water is around 12°C (54°F).
Farming Sea Pineapples
People started successfully farming sea pineapples in 1982. This first happened in Korea. In 1994, the amount of sea pineapples grown reached its highest point.
Today, many sea pineapples are farmed in Japan. A large amount comes from the Miyagi Prefecture. Farming these animals helps provide food for many people.
How People Eat Sea Pineapples
Sea pineapples are used in different ways in Korean and Japanese cooking. They are known for their fresh and unique flavor.
Korean Dishes
In Korea, sea pineapple is often eaten raw. It is served as meongge-hoe. This dish comes with a special sauce made from vinegared gochujang (a spicy paste).
Sea pineapples are also pickled in Korea. This dish is called meongge-jeot. Sometimes, sea pineapple is added to kimchi to give it extra flavor.
Japanese Dishes
In Japan, sea pineapple is commonly eaten raw as sashimi. To prepare it, the animal is sliced vertically. The inside parts are removed. It is then served with soy sauce mixed with vinegar.
Japanese chefs also prepare sea pineapple in other ways. It can be salted, smoked, grilled, or deep-fried. Sometimes, it is even dried to preserve it.
Images for kids
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Meongge-hoe (raw sea pineapples)
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Meongge-hoe-bibimbap (mixed rice with raw sea pineapples)
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Sea pineapple (hoya) served as sashimi at a restaurant in Japan
