Salmon

Overview

Call out “Salmon” and about eight species of fish will answer: Atlantic salmon, chinook salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, masu salmon, pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and Danube salmon.

Wild salmon are found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in fresh waters in eastern North America, Northern Europe, and South America. Salmon is also farmed around the world. Farmed salmon now accounts for about 80% of the world’s salmon supply.

While this article mainly concerns the nutritional value of salmon, the life cycle of this resilient fish is worth highlighting:

Although some species are restricted to the same body of water their entire lives, most salmon are born in fresh water, migrate to the ocean, and then return to fresh water to spawn. Relying on olfactory memory to find their way, salmon often return to the exact spot where they themselves were spawned.

During their migration from the ocean back to fresh water, salmon make amazing journeys that span hundreds of miles against rapids and forceful currents. Once they spawn, the vast majority of salmon die.

This migration is also known as the “salmon run”, which is a predictable, seasonal event usually occurring between September and November. This is an exciting event for hungry bears, predatorial birds, and sports fisherman.

Like most cold water fish, salmon are fatty (particularly in omega 3 fats) and delicious, with iconic coral-pink flesh.

Identification

Salmon is a large fish. Depending on the species, a salmon can range from about 20 inches up to several feet long, and can weigh anywhere from four to over a hundred pounds.

In color, salmon flesh ranges from pale pink to sunset orange to a deep coral-red. Their skin is dark and slightly silvery, and will crisp up when applied to heat.

When raw, a salmon filet will display white lines running across its flesh. This is fat. Wild salmon will generally not exhibit this build-up of fat between its muscles.

Salmon is a favorite among fish lovers and has a rich, fishy flavor and, when cooked properly, a soft, moist, luxurious texture.

Nutrition Info

Three ounces (about 85g) of cooked wild Atlantic salmon* has 155 calories, 21.6g protein, 6.9g of fat, and no carbohydrates, fiber, or sugar. Salmon is an excellent source of vitamin B12, selenium, and vitamin D, and a good source of vitamin B3 (niacin) and phosphorus.

Nutritionally, farmed salmon is different from wild salmon. Compared to their farmed equivalents, wild salmon are richer in omega 3 fats and the carotenoids (particularly astaxanthin) that give them their vibrant coral color.

*Nutritional content may vary slightly species to species.

Selection

Salmon is widely available (in some form) in most North American food purveyors. Higher quality, wild, fresh varieties may only be available in specialty stores and fish markets.

Salmon comes in many different forms: Fresh / raw, frozen, pre-cooked, canned, dried, or smoked. Fresh or frozen varieties, which may be sold as steaks, fillets, or chunks, are usually the best choices as they are the least likely to contain added ingredients. However, other varieties can be great to have on hand for convenience sake.

If your salmon comes in a package, read the ingredients. Avoid products that add dyes or have long lists of unpronounceable ingredients.

Fresh salmon should be displayed over ice and should look moist, but not wet, with little separation between the muscle fibers. If you can smell it, give it a whiff. Fresh salmon should have only a faint, but pleasant and fresh fish smell. Trust your nose. If it smells “off”, look elsewhere.

Storage

The length of time fresh salmon can be stored depends on when the fish was caught, so that is useful information to obtain at the time of purchase. Generally, salmon can be kept (well-wrapped in plastic and preferably over ice) in the fridge for about five days after it is caught. If you don’t know when it was caught, eat it within a day or two.

Salmon can also be frozen for about two months. Wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.

Once it is cooked, salmon can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for five to six days, or in the freezer for a few months.

If you have bought salmon in a package, follow the package directions for storage information.

Preparation

Fresh salmon, if the quality is high enough, can actually be eaten raw. Salmon of this caliber will usually be labelled as “sushi / sashimi grade”.
Otherwise, salmon can be cooked.

Fresh salmon cooks quickly, especially if it is cut in fillets or smaller chunks. Salmon steaks, due to their thickness and the presence of the bone, will take longer.

A fresh salmon fillet may be simply prepared on the stove-top. To do this, place some butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Wait until the oil is popping before placing the salmon in the pan, as this will help to prevent sticking. Cook on one side for about four minutes, or until this side turns golden brown. Flip it over and cook for another three minutes or so, or until the flesh feels firm and has lost its translucency. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh citrus, and serve.

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