When a 600-pound giant squid discovered in the depths of the sea off the coast of Japan hits the news, the first thing that comes to mind is ... calamari? At least for some, including one participant in today's live chat, Lunchtime With Mr.
It typically has a soft, moist and clean taste, which is great news for picky and sophisticated palates alike! In fact, if you've eaten calamari in California, chances are it was a humboldt squid you consumed, since they're one of the more common squid species in the Pacific Ocean.
From articles on both giant and colossal squids, they are indeed edible, but they taste horrible. Their flesh tastes of ammonia, a substance found in cleaning products, urine and sweat. Also, they are a highly aggressive and cannibalistic species.
The Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), also known as jumbo squid or jumbo flying squid (EN), and Pota in Peru or Jibia in Chile (ES) is a large, predatory squid living in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the only known species of the genus Dosidicus of the subfamily Ommastrephinae, family Ommastrephidae.
Use. The body (mantle), arms, tentacles, and ink are of squid are all edible; the only parts of the squid that are not eaten are its beak and gladius (pen). The mantle can be stuffed whole, cut into flat pieces or sliced into rings.
When cutting up your squid, the wings, hood and tentacles are all edible. Discard the beak, quill and guts (the inner part from the eyes upward).
"The giant squid is poisonous, so you can't eat it," says Hatt, the spoilsport. "It has a high ammonia content - it's a totally different species to the squid that live nearer the surface." Sometimes, it seems, there are reasons why things live 450 fathoms under the sea.
As for whether we can eat the giant squid, that's a negative. It contains too much ammonia, scientists say.
Feeding Behavior (Ecology)
Sperm whales and sleeper sharks such as Somniosus pacificus are the two known predators of adult giant squid. Juveniles are preyed on by deep sea sharks and fishes.
In this report, we have covered complete insight into major global import countries of squid. Spain is the largest consumer and importer of squid globally.
Since then, several more colossal squid have been filmed or photographed alive at the surface. But as far as is publicly known, the colossal squid has never been observed alive in its natural, deep-water habitat, although a number of such recordings of the giant squid have been made in recent years.
There have been confirmed Humboldt Squid attacks on human beings in the past, especially on deep sea divers. Even after being caught, a Humboldt squid will continue to be aggressive, spraying water and ink on its capturer.
It's thought that giant, colossal and Humboldt squid are aggressive, opportunistic creatures that prey on anything that comes their way -- from easy meals of fish and shrimp to a more sporting hunt of other large cephalopods and whales. The Humboldt, specifically, are known to be fierce, cannibalistic fighters.
Are they dangerous? Some believe that the terrible Kraken of ancient myth may have been partly based on the giant squid. But, unless you find yourself swimming around the Twilight Zone—you should fear not—you are not in danger.
Cooking Tips
Squid must be cooked for either a very short time or a very long time. Anything in between turns it very rubbery. Two minutes over high heat is plenty. Beyond that will require at least 30 minutes to an hour to re-tenderize it.
Many people find Octopuses to taste very rich. Squid meat is tougher and smoother - but is tender and firm when cooked, allowing it to soak up flavors or fry into delicious ringlets known around the globe as calamari.
Lately, however, the fortunes of scientists studying these elusive creatures have begun to turn. In 2004 researchers in Japan took the first images ever of a live giant squid. And in late 2006, scientists with Japan's National Science Museum caught and brought to the surface a live 24-foot female giant squid.
While there is no evidence of colossal squid preying on sharks, they do go after some pretty big fish, and even other species of deep sea squid.
The predators of giant squid are sleeper sharks, pilot whales, and sperm whales.
A science-based report from the University of British Columbia to the Canadian Federal Government has been quoted as stating "The cephalopods, including octopus and squid, have a remarkably well developed nervous system and may well be capable of experiencing pain and suffering."
The story has been called the only substantiated report of a giant squid killing humans. However, other authors have called it into question, considering it an urban legend. In 1978, the USS Stein was apparently attacked by a giant squid.
Colossal squid vs giant squid
Colossal squid Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni are slightly shorter than giant squid Architeuthis dux, but have a larger, heavier body. Te Papa's colossal squid tips the scales at a massive 490 kg. In contrast, giant squid weigh up to about 275 kg.
Taming a giant squid is quite a bit different than many creatures released in previous updates. First you have to lure the tusoteuthis into latching onto something else — usually your current underwater mount — while a brave soul feeds black pearls into the squid's exposed mouth.