Roe are tiny fish eggs. 

Roe are tiny eggs from fish. 

Roe are the eggs of many sea animals. 

Roe is very healthy to eat. It has omega-3 fatty acids. These are good fats for your body. It also has vitamin B12.
People around the world eat roe in many ways. In Japan, people eat salmon roe called ikura. 
Roe is the name for the ripe egg masses found inside the bodies of fish and other marine animals. 


There are many ways that people prepare and eat roe around the world. Some people enjoy it as a raw ingredient for fancy dishes like caviar. Others prefer to cook it in many different ways. In the Dominican Republic, people often eat dried and smoked herring roe after it is cooked. 
History shows that many cultures have used roe for a very long time. In Canada, the Indigenous people of the Pacific coast have a long-standing practice of collecting herring roe. 
Different countries have their own special names and types of roe. In Japan, salmon roe is called ikura, and it often appears as large, reddish-orange spheres. 
Eating roe can feel like a trip around the world through your food. You might see salmon roe served on top of sushi in a Japanese restaurant. 
Roe refers to the fully ripe internal egg masses found in the ovaries of fish. It also describes the released external egg masses of certain marine animals. 

Nutritionally, roe is a very dense source of essential nutrients. All fish roe contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats. Certain marine animals provide even higher concentrations of these fats. For example, the roe of lumpsucker, hake, mullet, salmon, Atlantic bonito, mackerel, squid, and cuttlefish are especially rich in omega-3s. Additionally, fish roe contains a significant amount of vitamin B12. 
There are different types of roe and related biological products. Scientists and chefs distinguish between egg masses and other substances. The term "soft roe" or "white roe" actually refers to fish milt, which is not fish eggs. Caviar is a specific term used for sturgeon eggs. In Israel, the term "ikra" is used for general roe. This includes "white ikra" from carp or herring, and "red ikra" from mullet or salmon. 
Many cultures have long histories of harvesting roe using specific methods. In Canada, the Indigenous people of the Northern and Middle Pacific coast have a long-standing practice of collecting herring roe. They often harvest "spawn-on-kelp," which are eggs laid on seaweed or submerged hemlock branches. 
Preparation methods vary significantly depending on the region and the species. In the Dominican Republic, people often eat dried and smoked herring roe after cooking it. In Peru, roe from the Cojinova fish is often sautéed, breaded, or pan-fried. This is called Huevera Frita, though it is considered a chance product rather than a delicacy. In Indonesia, a dish called pepes telur ikan uses spiced roe wrapped in a banana leaf. 
Japan has a highly specialized culinary relationship with various types of roe. They use many varieties in raw sushi, such as Ebiko from shrimp and Ikura from salmon. 

Roe connects many different biological and cultural systems. It is a bridge between marine biology and global trade. For instance, Chile exports sea urchins to Japan to meet high demand. In the United States, herring roe from Alaska is mostly shipped to Japan. In the Great Lakes, cisco roe is harvested for overseas markets. Even in Sweden, salmon roe is used as a topping for toast Skagen. 
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