【Reading】てんねん

【English Name】wild-caught

Tennen (natural/wild) is a word referring to a state of having grown in a natural environment without passing through human-managed rearing or husbandry. In the sushi industry, it is used mainly to call fish and shellfish caught in the sea or rivers tennen-mono (wild ones), distinguishing them from yoshoku (aquaculture, artificially raised).

When there is a notation of tennen at a sushi restaurant, it means that the fish or shellfish was caught in a natural sea area or river. Generally, wild ones eat natural prey and migrate across wide sea areas, so their flesh is said to be firm and rich in flavor. On the other hand, because the catch volume and timing are influenced by natural conditions, stable supply is difficult and prices also tend to fluctuate.

In recent years, with improvements in aquaculture technology, the quality of farmed ones has also advanced greatly, but among sushi connoisseurs there is still a tendency to prefer wild ones. However, it is not the case that natural always means delicious; quality varies depending on the catch season and the condition of the individual fish. Sushi artisans value the discernment skill of identifying the best neta of the day, regardless of whether it is wild or farmed.