世界のナマズ食文化とその歴史

抄録

This paper investigates the present situations of the catfish foods in Japan and the world, and summarizes the traditions related to catfish foods and the eating of catfish in Japan and the world. Although it is a familiar freshwater fish and eating habits are common, especially in the western part of Japan, the environmental condition of the river got worse during the economic high-growth era, and catches of natural catfish have decreased. However, the catfish dishes remain common in some areas of Japan as local culinary specialties.Many other parts of the world also have catfish traditions and cuisines, and the fish catch of cultured catfish is markedly increasing in Asia and United States. Ifdevelopment of catfish farming technology progresses also in Japan and the stable supply becomes possible, an expansion of catfish food consumption will be expected, because catfish has the nutritional merit such as high protein, low fat, and low cholesterol, which meets the needs and tastes of modern consumers.