Arctic char is one of those great species that boasts a fantastically exotic
moniker, a very un-intimidating usability, and a flavor profile that is very friendly to
both seafood aficionados and non-fish eaters alike.
As
member of the Salmanoid family, which includes Salmon and Trout, Char probably resemble
Salmon more closely. They occur naturally in the remote cold lakes and rivers of the
Northern Hemisphere where the Canadian Inuit in particular have included them in their
diet for centuries - frozen, eaten like popsicles . It is due to this extremely cold
environment that Char have built up a very high fat content making for very a moist,
flavorful fish that is very rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. It is an incredibly versatile
fish like Salmon or Trout. Char fillets range from deep orange to pale pink but color does
not indicate quality or flavor. Char comes mostly from northern Canada where it is farmed
and caught wild, however Ontario and Manitoba do farm Char as well. The water temperature
must remain very cold do maintain quality. The Yukon boasts they produce some of the best
Arctic Char in the world. |
