Smoked Salmon - Splendid Gift from the Sea | UniqueArticleDirectory.com

Smoked Salmon - Splendid Gift from the Sea

by Sherry Shantel

While the waters of the Atlantic have been devastatingly over fished today for Salmon to be placed onto countless million dinner tables each year, the waters of Alaska are still very well populated with fish due to the fact of the guidelines fishermen have to follow in Alaska. In the nineteenth century almost all commercial Salmon were pulled from the Atlantic. Being canned in New England to be eagerly shipped off to California in the 1840s, and by the middle of the 1860’s the tasty delights were actually being produced in California and then carried off to the east!

Over 70% of Salmon fished today are not even fished, they are farmed. Although Alaska is an exception to this. Alaskan Salmon are not pinned what so ever, they are all free living in the Pacific Ocean up until the time of their return to their birth place in the rivers of Alaska.

Long a staple for the bears and wolves of the Northwest and supporting more than 130 other species, salmon was highly prized by native Alaskan peoples. They recognized the value of the red-orange flesh early on and believed that if the fish were disrespected the gods of the sea would be angry and would drive the salmon away from Alaska.

Alaska is also the home of wolves, bears and another 130 other species. This made Salmon a very common meal for these animals, and for the Native people of Alaska as well due to the ease of preservation and its flavor when smoked. The fish oils are retained while smoking and alter the taste while being smoked, thus making it a glamorous meal for the people.

The high fat content makes salmon an ideal food to preserve and flavor with smoke. Native Alaskans have been doing just that for centuries. The natural oils of the fish welcome the smoke flavor and retain it in a splendid way. But creating the best mouth-watering Alaskan Smoked Salmon isn’t as simple as placing the salmon in the smokehouse.

Spices, and cures also play vital roles in the smoking process of salmon. The veterans of smoking often have a priced recipe for their cures. Dry cures are a mix of herbs or fruit, sea salt, and sugar. This is used commonly to produce cursed, not smoked fish. Wet cure means the meat must be soaked in a solution of brine which can contain pepper, sugar, other spices, and salt.

The actual smoking process varies as well. Hot-smoking produces a stronger smoke flavor and a drier fish. Cold-smoking will result in a gentler smoke flavor and a softer or oilier texture. The species of salmon will also affect the flavor. There are five different species of salmon in Alaskan waters, each with a different taste.

In today’s market smoked salmon can be found anywhere for the consumer. The local supermarket variety typically is farm raised and cold smoked, but anyone who is a true connoisseur will seek Alaskan Smoked Salmon. Through the process of smoking and curing Alaskan Salmon have been given a flavor which is comparable to that of vintage fine wine.

About the Author:

Smoked Salmon is preferred fresh, there are various ways to obtain 6 pk. Alaskan Smoked Salmon Stixs in the best form even if you live far from the on the Pacific Ocean. Alaskan Smoked Salmon Gift Baskets is a tasty start.