The mere sight of an octopus scares many people. This eight-fingered mollusk may seem like a weird creature, but it can be a mouthwatering treat. Depending on the way you prepare and cook an octopus, it can result in an explosion of flavors in your mouth.
In the rest of this article, we’ll let you know what does octopus taste like. Aside from its flavor, we’ll also talk about some of the best ways to make it flavorful based on your personal preferences.
What Does Octopus Taste Like?
Tough, chewy, and flavorless – these are some of the first things that come into mind when thinking about the flavor of octopus. Yes, this can be the case, but this depends on a variety of factors, such as the specific way you cook it.
The flavor of octopus is light, which is why it is often assumed by many to be bland. It tastes more like chicken than squid. Pork and lobster flavors are also reminiscent when you eat octopus. In some countries, octopus is eaten raw, which is why the flavor is light. If you eat it raw, the seasonings and dips used will have a huge impact on its flavor.
A lot of people confuse octopus with squid and would assume that the two have the same flavors. Truth is, they are completely different from each other. Squid meat is smoother, but octopus is juicer and easier to chew.What is the Texture of Octopus?
Another common misconception about octopus is that it is slimy. If it is not prepared correctly, this will be the case. However, if it is prepared the right way, the texture will remind you of a lobster. For some people, the texture is similar to giant clams.
Octopus can also be chewy when not cooked or prepared properly. It is almost similar to a gummy candy but not as tough. However, in most methods of cooking, octopus becomes softer, which is easier to eat.
How to Prepare Octopus?
As noted earlier, the taste of octopus will depend mostly on the way you prepare it. With that, this section breaks down some of the best ways to prepare octopus to unleash its full flavor.
Before anything else, one of the most important is to pay attention to the selection of the octopus. Be armed with the right knowledge to choose one that is fresh and tasty. Buy one that is already clean. Cleaning octopus on your own can be a challenging task, so it is better if you leave this job to the pros. Fresh octopus is always the best if you want it to have the best flavor.
One of the best ways to prepare octopus is to add it in a salad with potatoes and green beans. Garlic, parsley, and olive oil may seem like simple additions, but they are effective in enhancing the flavor while staying true to its natural taste.
Ceviche is another good way to eat octopus. Pickled red onions will make a great addition to enhance the flavor of the octopus. It is like eating raw octopus, but it is already cured, so you can expect that it is more flavorful.
For something that is fancier, you can also prepare linguine with tomatoes and chilies. It is a great way to add octopus to pasta. One famous chef once mentioned that octopus becomes more flavorful as it shrinks, which makes it important to cook it properly before adding to your choice of pasta.
For something simple but flavorful, you can also consider frying the octopus. Deep frying the octopus will make it crispy instead of chewy. Dredge the octopus in flour to make it crispy. Season the flour with salt and pepper for a mild flavor without overpowering the true flavor of the octopus.
Wrap Up
So, what does octopus taste like? As noted in this post, its flavor is light, almost similar to chicken, pork, or shrimp than squid. The flavor, however, is affected by the way you prepare, including the ingredients that you use.
