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Expert advice from Debic culinary advisers' team on preparing sea urchins, using kimchi, freezing cheesecake, and incorporating with tremella mushrooms.

Chef making pastry with Debic Cream

Knowledge is often transferred from one generation of cooks to another. While many chefs already experiment with trendy, popular ingredients, they sometimes need a little extra confidence. How do you incorporate something into a dish? Let these questions inspire you. Debic has a team of culinary advisers, specialist pastry chefs, master ice cream makers and product developers across Europe, with a wealth of knowledge and experience that we enjoy sharing with you.

Sea urchins
What are sea urchins and how do I prepare them?

A sea urchin is a spiny marine animal found in oceans worldwide. The edible part is the roe, which is yellow or orange in color. Sea urchin has a rich but delicate flavour and a buttery texture. They are highly perishable, so process them quickly and keep them refrigerated.
How to prepare:
1. Use scissors to cut a circle in the top of the shell.
2. Remove seawater and organs.
3. Gently loosen and scoop out the roe with a spoon.
Sea urchin pairs well with pasta, risotto, seafood dishes or even eaten raw. Always ensure freshness and high quality when purchasing.                                         

Kimchi jar
How is kimchi used in contemporary applications?

Kimchi, the traditional Korean fermented cabbage, has a rapidly growing culinary reputation in Europe. The spicy, acidic flavour matches well with many savoury preparations and can be used fresh or aged. It can be incorporated into marinades, sauces, dressings, stews, or served as a side dish.
Its fermented nature gives it depth and umami, making it ideal for modern fusion cuisine. Kimchi also complements vegetables, meats, and seafood. Its versatility makes it a fantastic addition to contemporary menus.

Debic cheesecake
Can I freeze Debic Cheesecake as mise en place?

A cheesecake made with Debic Cheesecake can safely be frozen for mise en place with very little texture difference after thawing.
Freezing process:
1. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely
2. Place in airtight packaging
3. Freeze
Thawing process:
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
- Serve once fully defrosted
Cheesecake remains stable due to its fat content and structure, allowing it to maintain integrity even after freezing.

Tremella mushrooms
How do I incorporate tremella mushrooms into my dishes?

Tremella, also known as white fungus or snow mushroom, is a subtle ingredient valued for its jelly‑like structure and soft, velvety texture. It absorbs flavours well and works with both sweet and savoury dishes.
Savoury uses:
- Stir‑fries
- Soups
- Steamed dishes
- Cold salads
Sweet uses:
- Desserts
- Syrups
- Fruit preparations
To use, soak dried tremella in warm water until soft, then slice or tear as needed. Its neutral flavour makes it ideal for creative applications.

Sofie van der Hasselt portrait
Have a question for our Culinary Specialist?

She is here at FrieslandCampina to answer all your culinary questions. Get culinary advice: sofie.vanderhasselt@frieslandcampina.com

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