Definition: The sea cucumber is an oblong shaped, gelatinous creature that is distantly related to star fish and sea urchins. The sea cucumber comes by its name honestly: it is indeed shaped like a cucumber. Another distinguishing feature is the tentacles around its mouth, which it uses to take in food.
Depending on where you travel, you'll find sea cucumber called everything from the romantic sounding beche de mer to the somewhat less attractive sea rat. (It is also sometimes referred to as a sea slug; somewhat confusing since the real sea slug is another animal entirely). The Chinese name - hai shen - translates roughly into "sea ginseng." This may be due to sea cucumber's reputation as an aphrodisiac, or because of its reputed health benefits. (Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use sea cucumber to treat everything from high blood pressure in humans to joint pain in pot-bellied pigs). It may also have something to do with its slippery texture, as the texture of food weights more heavily in Chinese cooking than other cuisines.
Like tofu, sea cucumber is flavorless, but soaks up the flavors of the food and seasonings it is cooked with. The Chinese use sea cucumber in soups, stir-fries, and certain braised dishes.
Learn More About Sea Cucumber
Written by Rhonda Parkinson
Depending on where you travel, you'll find sea cucumber called everything from the romantic sounding beche de mer to the somewhat less attractive sea rat. (It is also sometimes referred to as a sea slug; somewhat confusing since the real sea slug is another animal entirely). The Chinese name - hai shen - translates roughly into "sea ginseng." This may be due to sea cucumber's reputation as an aphrodisiac, or because of its reputed health benefits. (Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine use sea cucumber to treat everything from high blood pressure in humans to joint pain in pot-bellied pigs). It may also have something to do with its slippery texture, as the texture of food weights more heavily in Chinese cooking than other cuisines.
Like tofu, sea cucumber is flavorless, but soaks up the flavors of the food and seasonings it is cooked with. The Chinese use sea cucumber in soups, stir-fries, and certain braised dishes.
Learn More About Sea Cucumber
Written by Rhonda Parkinson
Also Known As: beche de mer, sea slug
Examples:
Recipes Using Sea Cucumber:The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea- a Confucian Banquet Dish
Return to the Glossary of Chinese Ingredients and Cooking Terms
