Best Smoked Fish Types in the World
Norwegian smoked salmon or røkelaks is one of the most popular smoked salmon varieties. It is usually made with farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and it stands out for its quality, bright pink color, and tender and flaky flesh.
The flavor and the aroma are mild and have a distinctive, subtly smoky note. Before smoking, the salmon can undergo wet or dry curing, while the smoking process can be hot or cold, the latter being prevalent these days. Beech or other wood chips can be added during smoking.
The final taste profile will depend on the type of salmon and the production techniques.
Pacific smoked salmon is a broad category of salmon that's usually found in the Pacific Ocean, most commonly Alaska and Canada. Some of the most popular Pacific smoked salmon varieties include: Chum (or dog salmon), the least common variety; Canadian King Salmon, with ivory white to deep red flesh; Sockeye or red salmon, with a bright and deep red-orange flesh, Pink or humpback, the smallest and most common type, and Coho or silver salmon, with red flesh.
Alaskan smoked salmon is a type of wild salmon that can be found in the cold waters just off Alaska. This variety belongs to the group of Pacific smoked salmon. It's usually hot-smoked using traditional Native American techniques. The texture of the flesh is usually silky or firm, but it can depend on the brine that was used for wet-curing the fish.
Alaskan smoked salmon is also called King salmon, and it's widely available due to sustainable populations.
Nova is a term that's usually used to refer to a salty, wet-cured, lightly smoked farmed salmon. The brine is often a mixture of salt, sugar, and water. The fish spends a few days in the brine before it's cold-smoked. During the days spent in brine, the salmon excretes some of its oils and absorbs the sugar and salt, resulting in great flavor and firmness of the flesh.
Generally, the flavor is mild and not that salty, while the fish can come from anywhere. The name is a reference to the wild Nova Scotia Atlantic salmon that was over-fished to extinction.
Atlantic smoked salmon is a broad category that can include numerous types of smoked salmon found in the Eastern Seaboard of North America and in Northern Europe. The salmon has a rich and buttery flavor and it's cured and cold-smoked by using artisanal methods.
It's often used in pasta dishes, sandwiches, and appetizers. Originally, Norway was the first to begin with Atlantic salmon farming, and nowadays smoked salmon from across the world is incorrectly labeled as Norwegian smoked salmon.
Arbroath smokie is a fresh haddock fish that has been hot-smoked over an open fire, headless and gutted in Arbroath using the traditional, unique methods of preparing. They are usually tied in pairs with a string on their tails, deep gold in color on the outside and creamy white on the inside.
Their texture is moist and juicy and the flesh can be easily removed from the bones. The taste is mild, smoky and slightly salty.
Smoked Scottish salmon can be produced from wild and farm-raised salmons that fall into the category of Atlantic salmons (Salmo salar). The fish is typically cold-smoked and dry-cured, usually with salt, sugar, or spices. Smoked Scottish salmon will have orange-pink color, tender but firm flesh, and mild flavor and aroma.
The smoking is usually done with oak chips made with old sherry or whisky casks, but adding birch, beech, peat, or heather is also common. The use of traditional techniques and ingredients results in a smoked salmon with unique qualities. Raw Scottish salmon (wild and farmed) is a protected PGI product, but there is no status for the smoked variety.
Macrou afumat is Romanian smoked mackerel, characterized by a pleasant smoky flavor and a distinctive copper hue. This fish specialty is usually prepared by seasoning cleaned, dry fish with salt or marinating the fish in brine, then cold smoking it.
Aromatic herbs and spices can also be used for extra flavor. Apart from the store-bought versions, smoked mackerel is also often prepared at home, and it is typically eaten either on its own or added to a variety of salads. In Romania, mackerel is one of the most consumed fish types in the country.
One of the staples of traditional Icelandic diet, harðfiskur is a fish delicacy made by following an old preserving method that involves drying fresh fish on wooden racks, outdoors in the cool Icelandic wind. The fish may be soaked in a weak brine before being dried for a slightly saltier flavor of the finished product.
Typical fish include haddock, cod, and wolfish, although fish such as flounder or arctic char can also be used. After drying for several weeks, the fish obtains a tough, papery, and chewy texture, and a characteristic yellowish hue, while the flavor is salty with a strong odor.
Scrumbie de Dunăre afumată is a smoked Danube shad, traditionally prepared in Romania. From March to August, scrumbie de Dunăre migrates from the Black Sea to the Danube for breeding - during that period the fish is caught, cleaned, then salted and cold-smoked, using strictly dried, matured hardwood sawdust.
Being very rich in fats, scrumbie de Dunăre afumată remains juicy even after drying, and the finished product has both sweet and salty flavor, with hints of bitterness. Scrumbie de Dunăre afumată is best enjoyed cut in pieces and served flavored with onions, vinegar, and oil.
Best Smoked Fish Producers in the World
Rooftop Smokehouse is a culinary venture that specializes in traditional smoking methods to produce a variety of smoked seafood products. The company operates from a rooftop setting where they sustainably source and handcraft their offerings, emphasizing quality and artisanal techniques.
The smokehouse is also known for its commitment to using natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Additionally, they offer workshops and events to educate consumers about the smoking process and the intricacies of seafood preparation.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Rooftop Smokehouse Seafoods
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Chef Market Seafoods
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Fins & Forks Appetizers
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST J. Lawrie & Sons Seafoods
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Krd Fishery Smokehouse (fishery Smokehouse Ltd) Seafoods
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
BEST Dunns of Dublin Seafoods
Black Mountains Smokery Ltd. is based in Crickhowell, Powys, in the Black Mountains of Wales. They specialize in traditionally cured and smoked meats, fish, and cheeses. The firm uses locally sourced ingredients whenever possible and employs artisan smoking techniques.
Their products are available for purchase online and at selected retailers.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2021
BEST Black Mountains Smokery Meat Products
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Humes | Quality Artisan Foods Orkney Seafoods
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023, 2022
BEST Macneil's Smokehouse Seafoods
Best Smoked Fishes in the World
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Rosalita smoked Cantabrian anchovies in olive oil, RR90, are produced by CHEF MARKET SL. These delicately smoked anchovies are sourced from the Cantabrian Sea, known for its rich marine biodiversity. The anchovies are carefully selected and packed in high-quality olive oil, which enhances their flavor and preserves their freshness.
The RR90 designation typically refers to the can size, ensuring a portion that is both practical and gourmet.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
Humes Quality Artisan Foods Orkney produces a specialty item called Hot Oak Smoked Organic Orkney Salmon. This product features salmon that is responsibly sourced and organically farmed in the pristine waters around the Orkney Islands. The salmon is smoked over hot oak, imparting a rich and robust flavor that enhances its natural qualities.
The result is a premium, high-quality smoked salmon with a firm texture and delicious taste, making it a popular choice among gourmet food enthusiasts.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
KRD Wild Irish Smoked Salmon is a premium seafood product crafted by KRD Fishery Smokehouse (Fishery Smokehouse Ltd). Known for its exquisite flavor and texture, the salmon is caught in the pristine waters surrounding Ireland and then traditionally smoked, giving it a distinct, rich taste.
The smokehouse employs artisanal methods which often include curing the fish with a blend of natural salts and then smoking it over chosen woods to enhance its natural flavors. This product is celebrated for its high quality and has become a favored choice among gourmet chefs and food enthusiasts alike.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
TRUCHA AHUMADA, or smoked trout, is one of the artisanal products offered by Rooftop Smokehouse. Rooftop Smokehouse is known for creating high-quality smoked foods using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients. The company emphasizes craftsmanship and often smokes their products in small batches to ensure the finest quality and flavor.
The TRUCHA AHUMADA is typically prepared with careful attention to the smoking process, which imparts a rich, smoky flavor while preserving the delicate texture of the trout. This makes it a gourmet addition to a variety of dishes, ranging from appetizers to main courses.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
St. James Scotch Reserve Pure Royal Filet is a premium smoked salmon product crafted by St James Smokehouse (Scotland) Ltd. This filet is known for its superior quality, achieved through traditional smoking methods using oak chips for a distinctive, rich flavor.
The salmon is sourced from the pristine waters of Scotland, ensuring a high standard of freshness and sustainability in line with the company's commitment to responsible aquaculture.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
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