What is black tobiko made from?
Black tobiko is made from flying fish roe, a coloring (usually squid ink) and seasonings. It is a processed roe product, which means the ingredient list is a little longer than you might expect.
The main ingredient: flying fish roe
The base is the roe of the flying fish, a wild-caught fish. On its own, the roe is a pale orange-red, mildly salty and very crunchy. See what is black tobiko.
What makes it black
The color usually comes from squid ink. A small amount of ink is mixed into the roe, which turns the pearls a glossy black without changing the crunch. Some brands may use other food colorings instead, so the ingredient list is the best source.
What else may be in it
Ingredients vary by brand, but a typical list may include:
- Salt, for curing and flavor
- Sugar or another sweetener
- Seasonings or flavorings, which can include soy or rice wine
- Preservatives or stabilizers, in some products
- Added color, in some products
Compare this with sturgeon caviar, which is just roe and salt. Opus Kaluga Hybrid, for example, contains sturgeon roe and salt.
What to check if you have an allergy
- Fish allergy. Tobiko is fish roe. Skip it unless your doctor says it is fine.
- Mollusk allergy. Squid is a mollusk, so squid ink may matter to people with a mollusk allergy.
- Soy, wheat or other allergens. Seasonings may contain them, so read the label.
See caviar and allergies.
How it is made
For the process, from catching the fish to freezing, see how black tobiko is made.
Is it the same as orange tobiko?
It is the same roe with a different color. See black tobiko vs orange tobiko.
Opus Caviar sells Kaluga Hybrid sturgeon caviar, not tobiko, and it is opening soon with same-day courier delivery across the South Bay. Join the list to be first to order.