Japan Screams for Jellyfish Ice Cream

Slimiest catch
Every few years, a shift in warm currents to the north brings swarms of giant jellyfish called "Echizen Kurage " or Nomura's jellyfish into prime Japanese fishing grounds. The monstrous critters can be more than 6 feet in diameter and weigh up to 440 pounds, and when netted in quantity can destroy fishing nets and equipment worth thousands of dollars. To quote fisheries federation spokesman Noriyuki Kani, "It's a terrible problem. They're like aliens!"

Jaws meets The Sting
The situation has driven fisherman to find some way of deriving some economic benefit from the jellyfish, such as using them to make ice cream. It wouldn't be the first time a seafood flavored ice cream has been foisted upon the palates of Japanese consumers who seemingly have seen it all. Crab, Clam, Eel, Fish and Octopus flavored ice creams have all appeared on store shelves at one time or another.

Hmm, where did the kids go?
This time though, manufacturers may have breached the limit of tolerance, and they know it: Jellyfish Ice Cream is being sold exclusively over the Internet by Rakuten in hopes of luring the novelty crowd. Another venue is the Kamo Aquarium in Yamagata Prefecture, where cooked Echizen Jellyfish is already on the menu. Guess they needed a dessert item - or something to threaten the kiddies with if they didn't eat their vegetables. "More peas, please!"

Help save the Japanese fishing industry; order Jellyfish Ice Cream today! (via Mixedasians)


Steve Levenstein
Japanese Innovations Writer
InventorSpot.com