Is it safe to consume the ink from an octopus?

Octopus is a delicious seafood that we often enjoy as a snack. Besides buying and eating it outside, we can also cook it at home. It is well known that octopus sometimes contains ink, a substance that helps them escape danger. Many people are unsure whether the ink is edible when cooking octopus. So, can we eat octopus ink? Let's find out.

Firstly, can octopus ink be eaten? Yes, it can be eaten, but its taste is not usually pleasant. It is commonly used in making inkfish dumplings. However, after heating, it is non-toxic and contains rich protein. Octopus is rich in protein, minerals, and other nutrients, as well as natural taurine, which has anti-fatigue, anti-aging, and lifespan-extending effects. The main components of octopus ink are melanin and proteoglycan complex. Its black color comes from invisible black particles in the ink, making it a viscous suspension. Each milliliter contains 200mg of spherical particles, mostly with diameters ranging from 120 to 180nm. These particles have a two-layer structure, with a high-density core and a low-density shell. The core is the so-called melanin, which is a polymer of indolequinone that may or may not be bound to protein. Additionally, the ink contains trace amounts of toxins that paralyze prey. However, these toxins have minimal effects on humans and are mostly denatured during cooking, rendering them harmless. Moreover, octopus ink is rich in mineral nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and strontium. It also contains a mucopolysaccharide that has a certain anticancer effect. In some restaurants abroad, ink is even added to bread, jelly, and fish paste to create healthy food products.

Secondly, how do we handle octopus ink? Only a portion of the ink is needed, and it is commonly used in making inkfish dumplings and dough. However, octopus ink contains a certain amount of toxins, so it is important to clean it thoroughly. You can soak it in a bowl of water and slowly wash it clean. The process of handling octopus is quite simple:

1. Place the octopus in water, clean it, cut open its head, remove the internal organs, peel off the skin, and rinse it clean.
2. Add some vinegar and baking soda to the water, then put the octopus in and rub it continuously with your hands until the mucus on its surface is completely removed.
3. Locate and remove the octopus's teeth.
4. Lift up the octopus's head, squeeze out all the internal organs, and clean the ink thoroughly.