bluemaritime.au - Squid and cuttlefish are two types of marine animals that are often considered similar because of their shape and habitat. Both belong to the class Cephalopods, which also includes octopus. However, there are several important differences between squid and cuttlefish, both in terms of physicality, habitat, and how they are used in cooking.

1. Classification and Habitat

• Cumi (Squid)
  Squid is included in the family Loliginidae. This animal is more often found in shallow to deep sea waters. Squid usually live in the water column (pelagic) and actively swim using small fins on the sides of their bodies.
   
• cuttlefish
  Octopus enters the family Sepiidae. Cuttlefish are more often found on the seabed (benthos) and have a habit of living near substrates such as sand or coral.
   

2. Body Shape

• Ten
  Squid have a slim, elongated body and are shaped like a torpedo. The squid's fins are small and located at the end of its body. The inside of the body is equipped with a hard structure called pen, which resembles transparent plastic.
   
• Octopus
  Cuttlefish have shorter, wider and flatter bodies. The fins form a ridge along the body, making it look like an oval. Cuttlefish have an internal shell called cuttlebone, which is harder than the pen on squid.
   

3. Texture and Taste of Meat

• Ten
  Squid meat is chewier and has a milder taste than cuttlefish. Because of its texture, squid is more often used in fried or grilled dishes.
   
• Octopus
  Cuttlefish meat tends to be thicker and softer with a richer taste. Cuttlefish are often prepared in highly spiced dishes such as curry or oyster sauce.
   

4. Body Color and Pattern

• Ten
  Squid usually have a transparent body color with a pattern of spots that change color for camouflage.
   
• Octopus
  Cuttlefish have a more striking body pattern and can change color more complexly, because the pigmentation ability of their skin is more sophisticated than squid.
   

5. Applications in Culinary

• Ten
  Squid is often used in various dishes such as calamari (flour fried squid), squid satay, or squid in Padang sauce.
• Octopus
  Squid is usually used in dishes such as black boiled squid, squid goulash, or as an ingredient in Asian food such as dim sum.

6. Nutritional Value

Both are rich in protein, omega-3, and low in fat. However, cuttlefish tends to have a higher content of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus than squid.

Conclusion

Even though they are often confused, squid and cuttlefish have significant differences in terms of shape, texture, taste and use. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right ingredients for a particular dish or nutritional need. So, do you prefer chewy squid or tender cuttlefish? It all depends on taste!