【Reading】たい

【English Name】Sea Bream (Tai)

Tai (sea bream) is one of the most prestigious white-fleshed fish in Japan's sushi culture. Generally, tai refers to madai (red sea bream), which belongs to the family Sparidae in the order Perciformes. Characterized by a light, refined sweetness and a firm bite, it is served as nigiri, kobujime, and matsukawa-zukuri. Its season is spring, and the sakura-dai, which moves to the coast before spawning and takes on a cherry-blossom hue, has the best flavor, while the mugiwara-dai after spawning declines in taste. It has been eaten since the Jomon period, and its red body color makes it indispensable at celebratory occasions as an auspicious item. It is also known as the fish held by Ebisu of the Seven Lucky Gods. Nutritionally, per 100 g it has about 142 kcal, 20.6 g of protein, and 5.8 g of fat, making it high in protein and low in fat.