Many people enjoy seafood dishes like fried calamari or grilled cuttlefish. But they often get confused about the difference between calamari and cuttlefish. After all, both are soft-bodied sea creatures from the same family. Both are popular in Mediterranean and Asian menus.
What is the difference between calamari and cuttlefish? Calamari refers to squid, whereas cuttlefish is a separate cephalopod with a broader body and an internal cuttlebone.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Calamari
– Definition, Features
2. What is Cuttlefish
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Calamari and Cuttlefish
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Calamari and Cuttlefish
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Calamari and Cuttlefish
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Calamari, Cuttlefish, Seafood
What is Calamari
The word calamari comes from the Italian word for squid. In the United States, calamari usually refers to a deep-fried appetizer. This is often served in restaurants with dipping sauces like marinara or aioli. However, the term is also used simply to mean squid, the main ingredient.
Squid is a mollusk, related to cuttlefish and octopus. There are more than 300 species in the world’s oceans. Only a small number of these species are used for cooking, and most are less than 12 inches long when prepared for food. The meat is firm, white, and mildly sweet, with a slightly nutty taste.
Calamari can be cooked in many different ways. It works well with fast, high-heat methods like grilling, sautéing, broiling, or deep-frying. But it can also be slowly braised in sauces or curries for a tender result. In some cuisines, squid is eaten raw, and its salty black ink is used to flavor and color dishes like pasta and risotto.
You can buy squid in many forms: fresh, frozen, canned, dried, or pickled. When fried, it should be tender and chewy, but not rubbery. It easily takes on the flavors of the dish it’s cooked in.
What is Cuttlefish
A cuttlefish is a type of mollusc. It is related to animals like snails, clams, and mussels. Within this group, cuttlefish belong to the cephalopod class, which makes them close relatives of octopuses, squid, and nautiluses.
Cuttlefish have soft, squishy bodies and a unique internal shell called a cuttlebone. This cuttlebone is filled with gas and helps them control their buoyancy in the water. It is made mostly of a mineral called aragonite, and pieces of cuttlebone often wash up on beaches. These cuttlebones are commonly given as a calcium supplement for birds, tortoises, and small pets.
Cuttlefish have eight arms and two tentacles, with suckers that help them grab and hold onto prey. Their large, W-shaped pupils give them excellent vision. Most cuttlefish grow between 15 and 25 cm long, but the giant cuttlefish can reach up to 50 cm in body length and weigh over 10 kilograms.
They are carnivores and feed on crabs, shrimp, fish, worms, small molluscs, and sometimes even other cuttlefish. Meanwhile, their predators are dolphins, sharks, seals, seabirds, and larger cuttlefish. There are more than 120 species of cuttlefish, and all of them live in the sea. There are no freshwater cuttlefish.
Similarities Between Calamari and Cuttlefish
- Both are cephalopods, belonging to the same class as octopuses and nautiluses.
- They are two popular types of seafood that people all over the world enjoy.
- They are often cooked in the same ways, like grilling or frying.
Difference Between Calamari and Cuttlefish
Definition
- Calamari refers to squid, especially when used as food, whereas cuttlefish is a separate marine animal, related to squid and octopus, with a unique internal shell called a cuttlebone.
Body Structure
- Calamari (squid) have a long, tubular body with fins running along part of it, whereas cuttlefish have a broader, oval body with fins that run along the entire length.
Internal Shell
- Calamari have a thin, flexible structure called a pen inside their body, while cuttlefish have a thicker, porous cuttlebone that helps them control buoyancy.
Eyes
- Calamari have round pupils, whereas cuttlefish have distinctive W-shaped pupils.
Size
- Calamari species range from very small to extremely large, but culinary squid are usually under 12 inches. However, most cuttlefish range between 6 to 10 inches, with the giant cuttlefish reaching up to 20 inches.
Flavor and Texture
- Calamari meat is firm, white, and mildly sweet with a slightly nutty taste. Cuttlefish meat is also mild and tender, but most people find it slightly richer and more flavorful than squid.
FAQ: Calamari and Cuttlefish
1. Which tastes better, squid or cuttlefish?
Both taste good, but many people say cuttlefish has a richer, slightly sweeter flavor, while squid (calamari) is milder and nuttier.
2. Is cuttlefish used as calamari?
Yes, cuttlefish is sometimes sold and served as calamari, especially in restaurants or markets, because its texture and flavor are similar to squid. However, true calamari usually refers to squid.
3. Are squid and cuttlefish the same?
No, squid and cuttlefish are not the same. They are both cephalopods, but squid have a long, tube-shaped body, while cuttlefish have a broader body with a cuttlebone inside.
4. Is cuttlefish cheaper than squid?
Yes, cuttlefish is often cheaper than squid in many places because squid is more popular worldwide, especially as “calamari.” However, prices can vary depending on location and availability.
5. Is cuttlefish similar to calamari?
Yes, cuttlefish is similar to calamari since both are cephalopods with a mild, slightly sweet flavor and firm white meat. They are often cooked in the same ways, like grilling or frying.
Reference:
1. “Everything You Wanted to Know about Cuttlefish.” Science Focus.
2. “What Is Calamari?” Spruce Eats.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Food Cuttlefish” By Lung 2 BB~commonswiki assumed Own work assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Fried calamari with lemon wedges and a side of lemon” (CC0) via Pexels
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