Taiwan Wild Mullet Roe refers to the mullet roe that grows in the waters of Taiwan. Mackerel roe is a type of fish roe that is usually used to make premium food products such as caviar and roe royal. Usually black or dark brown in color, mullet roe is tasty and nutritious, containing a large amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. Currently, Taiwan's production of mullet roe is relatively small and expensive, so it is considered a high-class delicacy.

Essential for New Year's festivals, mullet roe is made from the ovaries of female mullet, which are salt-dried. The processing is very tedious, from removing the ovaries, washing and removing blood, salting and dewatering, and shaping and drying. Each step of the process requires a great deal of experience in order to accurately control the perfect maturity of the roe, as over-ripening or under-ripening will affect its color, texture, and flavor, which is why the precious roe is also known as "black gold".

The mullet is found in low-temperature tropical waters all over the world. After the winter solstice every year, the mullet will migrate south to spawn, and when it approaches the coast of Taiwan, it is at the most mature stage of its ovaries before mating. Currently, there are three types of mullet roe on the market: wild, farmed, and imported, with the wild mullet roe caught off the coast of Taiwan in winter being the best quality and most expensive.
 

If you want to judge the quality of mullet roe from its appearance, nutritionist Huang Shuhui said that, in general, wild mullet roe is more reddish in color, and good quality mullet roe is thicker, but the thickness is consistent, there is no remnants of meat or excess attachments, and there is a transparent luster when exposed to a light source.

How to choose: Recognize the authenticity of the roe by its vein pattern.

The larger and heavier the roe, the higher the price. Another way to judge the quality of the roe is to hold it up to the light and look for a transparent shine, as well as the presence of vein lines to avoid buying fake roe.

Sterilize with cooking wine to add aroma
Even if the roe is vacuum-packed, it is recommended to wipe or soak the roe in cooking wine before cooking to sterilize the roe and enhance the aroma.