Fresh Vs Smoked Salmon : Enjoy Both Like A Pro

Salmon fish is one of the most popular sea fish that is enjoyed widely for its taste, texture and health benefits. Different with smoked salmon, here is a short explanation on both that will make you a food pro above the rest.

Everything You Need to Know About Salmon

Salmon can be one of the best fish you can eat. It has great health benefits and can even stave off certain illnesses and diseases. The nutrition in salmon serving includes iron, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6 and B12, in addition to a whole range of other nutrients.

To know your salmon, here are 6 common types of salmon :

• Atlantic salmon

This is the only salmon living in the Atlantic. The population of wild Atlantic salmon has decreased over the years due to overfishing, but farmed Atlantic salmon accounts for more than 80 percent of the world’s farmed salmon.

• Chinook salmon (king, spring)

Rich in Omega 3 content, King salmon is farmed in New Zealand and Canada. It is also caught in the icy waters of the North Pacific, the chinook is the largest, fattiest salmon variety and has firm, deep-red flesh. There is also a white-fleshed chinook salmon.

• Coho salmon (silver, medium-red)

Found in the coastal waters of Alaska, the coho is bright to medium red in colors and silvery skins. The flesh is delicate compared to most others and very flavorful.

• Chum salmon (keta, chub, dog)

Chum males develop canine-like teeth during spawning, thus the nickname dog salmon. Leaner than sockeye with firm, coarse, pale flesh, chums are not farmed. They make it to supermarkets in frozen or canned packaging.

• Pink salmon (humpback, humpie)

Males develop large humps on their backs during spawning, thus the nickname. The smallest, leanest salmon, caught in the Pacific, it has soft, bland, pink flesh. It is the type most commonly used for canned salmon.

• Sockeye salmon (red, blueback)

Dark red in skin color with orange to red flesh, red salmon is rich in Omega 3 and fatty acids. A popular type with wide availability in the pacific waters, It is the finest type of canned salmon, but it is also sold fresh.

How To Choose Your Salmon

Whether fillet or whole, you can choose the freshest salmon based on its appearance. Use these tips below :

1. Smell the fish : fresh salmon should not have a strong fishy smell.
2. Examine the flesh : moist, firm and shiny, not dull or falling apart or mushy.
3. Rub the Scale : will not rub off easily if the fish is fresh.

Now, What About Smoked Salmon?

Smoked salmon is a preparation of salmon that has been cured or smoked at certain temperature. This process is considered as food preservation that may include adding salt, sugar, nitrate, or smoking and flavoring the fish.

History of Smoking Salmon

To prepare for long winters since ancient times, people smoked salmon in order to preserve the fish. So basically, smoke salmon is freshly caught salmon that undergoes salting and smoking at high temperature in order to keep it edible for an extended period of time.

Over time, instead of cooking it under heated wood smoke, a cold smoking technique was introduced in creating lox or cold-smoked salmon.

How to Enjoy Smoked Salmon

Smoked Salmon Norway (1.5kg) Frozen

Several excellent and simple smoked salmon ideas to try:

• Smoked Salmon Sandwich or Toast : Go with our selection of fresh bread for a wholesome eating experience

Pre-sliced Multi grain bread (1kg)

• Salad it up : Don’t forget to find some sauces and dressings for your smoked-salmon salad.

• Rich Smoked Salmon Pasta : A marriage of flavors guarantee with pasta and salmon.

Mamma Rosy – Tagliatelle (3-4 portions)

• Raw : Sushi anyone? Dip it in your favorite soy sauce and enjoy!

So there you have it! Now that you’ve known your salmon, time to order yours at Luxofood along with other quality food ingredients you’d definitely enjoy, personally or as a family.