Shaki meat, also known as tripe, is organ meat, or offal, made up of consumable stomach tissues of farm animals.
Organ meats are meats that have been consumed since ancient times and are a concentrated source of nutrients.
The demand for organ meats has also increased recently, as pre-modern eating patterns such as the paleo diet have become popular.
What Will We Learn?
What Is Shaki Food?
The stomachs of ruminant animals such as cows, calves and sheep consist of multiple structures so that they can digest food correctly.
Shaki refers to the consumable muscle walls in the stomachs of these animals.
Shaki, which is seen as a consumable side part of animal slaughter, is sold for human consumption as well as added to animal feeds.
Beef Shaki is among the most widely consumed types.
Shaki is a tough meat that must be prepared properly before consumption. It is generally cooked with moist heating methods such as boiling.
It can also be cooked by stuffing with various herbs, spices and meats.
There are four different types of Veal Shaki and they differ according to which stomach part they are taken from.
- Tripe: This type is made from the first stomach of the calf. It is considered the least desirable type.
- Borkenek: This is obtained from the second stomach part and resembles a honeycomb. It is more tender and flavorful than tripe.
- Kırkbayır: It is obtained from the third stomach part and is described as a mixture of tripe and borek.
- Şırden: This is obtained from the fourth stomach part and has a strong to moderate flavor.
Although the stomachs of different animals are consumed around the world, it is not as common as the heart, liver and kidney.
It is a by-product that is also widely used in pet food.
In summary: Shaki is the general name of the stomach tissue of animals such as calves and sheep. It has a firm texture and a mild aroma.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Shaki?
Organ meats are generally nutritious, including tripe.
It’s low in calories but has important nutrients the body needs for growth.
140 grams of cooked beef shaki provides:
- Calories: 131
- Fat: 5 grams
- Protein: 17 grams
- Vitamin B12: 15% of the daily requirement
- Selenium: 25% of the daily requirement
- Calcium: 10% of the daily requirement
- Zinc: 15% of the daily requirement
- Phosphorus: 10% of the daily requirement
- Iron: 5% of the daily requirement
- Magnesium: 5% of the daily requirement
Tripe is also a good source of manganese and niacin.
It is an excellent source of highly absorbable proteins and rich in vitamin B12, selenium and zinc, which many people lack in their diet.
In summary: Tripe is low in calories but high in protein, vitamin B12, zinc and selenium.
Potential Benefits
Tripe has several benefits for both your health and your wallet.
Rich in high-quality proteins.
Your body needs proteins for vital processes such as cellular communication, fluid balance, immune system functions and tissue repair.
Shaki is a complete protein source, meaning it has all nine essential amino acids the body needs to function.
Adding protein-rich foods to your diet is an excellent way to get rid of excess fat and maintain a healthy weight.
Protein is the most satiating of all foods. Adding a protein source like shaki to your meals reduces hunger and the risk of overconsumption.
Easier To Get
Since tripe is not preferred as much as red meat and other meat products, it is an affordable protein option for those who want to be economical.
Also, consuming it ensures that all parts of the animals are consumed, thus reducing food residues.
While all parts of the animal are evaluated in traditional methods, the unwanted parts of the animal are thrown away in modern life.
You can use a less waste-generating way of consuming animals by opting for organ meats or choosing other by-products.
An Excellent Source Of Vitamins And Minerals
Shaki also contains impressive amounts of nutrients such as selenium, zinc and vitamin B12.
A 140-gram serving of beef shaki contains 25% of your daily need for selenium, and 15% of B12 and zinc.
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell production, nerve conduction, and energy production, while zinc is essential for cell division, immune system functions, and carbohydrate metabolism.
Selenium acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body. It also takes part in DNA production, thyroid health, and metabolism.
In addition, shaki is rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.
In summary: shaki is rich in proteins and vitamins and minerals. Besides, it is easier to buy.
When Shaki Consumption Is Risky?
Sharki has relatively high cholesterol, and 140 grams contains 220 mg of cholesterol, which is 75% of the 300 mg needed daily.
For most people, dietary cholesterol has limited impact on overall cholesterol levels.
But some people have a high response to cholesterol and are affected by high cholesterol foods.
For these people, it’s better to stay away from high-cholesterol foods like shaki.
In addition to being rich in cholesterol, Shaki’s smell, taste and texture keep some people away from it.
Shaki is tough-textured meat that usually undergoes a pre-cooking before being sold.
However, it still needs to be cooked for 2-3 hours before it is ready.
Boiling techniques such as a pressure cooker are suggested to soften its texture.
Additionally, adding some flavoring with spices and herbs can improve Sharki’s flavor.
While cooking and seasoning can make these giblets tastier, they can be especially offensive to people who don’t like chewy and textured foods.
Uncooked shaki has a serious odor, which some people do not like.
In summary: the smell, taste, and texture of shaki may bother some people, especially if it’s not prepared properly. It also has a high cholesterol level and therefore would not be the best choice for those with a sensitivity to high-cholesterol foods.
How To Add It To Nutrition?
Shaki can be added to most dishes and snacks.
The ones sold in the markets are generally pre-cooked and their colors are opened with chlorine.
Before cooking, it is necessary to wash and rinse well to get rid of these wastes.
Unprocessed Shaki has a stronger flavor and should be cleaned more carefully before cooking.
Here are some ways to add Shaki to your diet:
- Mixing cooked tripe with eggs and other sauteed vegetables.
- Using it as a high protein salad ingredient.
- To serve on crusty bread with onions, butter and fresh herbs.
- Cooking soup.
- You can add tomato sauce and serve with pasta.
- To use in homemade sauces.
It can also be fried as in some Asian countries.
Although we love fried foods, we need to consume them carefully.
In summary: Shaki can be added to eggs, salads, soups, stews and pasta ingredients. Before cooking, it is necessary to clean it correctly.
As a result
Like other organ meats, Shaki is rich in nutrients such as vitamin B12, selenium and zinc.
It is also a high-quality protein and prevents food from going to waste.
Because it has high cholesterol and a unique texture, its flavor may not be to everyone’s liking.
Our article on the benefits of bananas may also attract your attention.
