Tips & Techniques > What is Ceviche?

Ceviche (also known as cebiche or seviche) refers to a food preparation whereby raw, fresh fish and shellfish are marinated in a seasoned, acidic liquid.  As the food marinates, the acidic liquid actually changes the delicate texture of the flesh, a process known as denaturing. Through denaturing, the flesh becomes opaque and looks and feels “cooked”, although it is still raw. Because this food preparation does not use any heat to cook the food, the natural flavor of the food does not change. For food safety reasons, it is extremely important to use high-quality, fresh fish and to handle and store it properly.

There are many different recipes for ceviche. A simple combination of citrus juice, onions, fresh chilies and seasonings are most the common.