My salmon ended up white and fishy tasting…?!

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If you've had consistently bad luck with this particular brand, maybe it's time to switch to another.

Does it say on the package what species it is?
This was my first experience with this brand. Unfortunately, but perhaps not surprisingly, the packaging does NOT say which species of salmon it is… Although there is mention on the brand website of chum salmon. It doesn't say which products contain it; still, given the color, it's looking likely.
 
Chum salmon that is another that can be very pale, more so than even pink. Personally I only consume wild pacific salmon and if I can get king salmon, I'll buy that otherwise it's generally coho. Not interested in Atlantic salmon at all.
Chum is looking more and more likely! I read that Atlantic salmon is all farmed now, you can't get it wild caught anymore.
 
everyone has their favorite 'taste' of salmon - we prefer the Atlantic, our fav is sockeye tho.

if you can find it - try some steelhead trout. it's an ocean going version (genetically identical) to rainbow trout, but 'with color' - tastes like salmon only better .!.!.

you'll like only find steelhead "farmed" - it is so in 'demand' that the wild populations are threatened.
Everyone says how delicious trout is, so I've been wanting to try it; I've put steelhead on my list of fish to look for!
 
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Chum is looking more and more likely! I read that Atlantic salmon is all farmed now, you can't get it wild caught anymore.
Yeah, never have I had any luck with frozen fish and it's mostly because of the textural change and the taste of course, I have not bought frozen fish in decades but have had it served to me more than once, basically I'd rather go without and I'm not trying to be snobby, it's just, cooking is what I did for a living and buying and eating food I don't like is a no go every time.

Yes, wild caught salmon is also a no go in the US, it's against the law basically under the Endangered Species Act and in Canada you might get lucky if you knew someone that had access, specifically it would be Canadian indigenous peoples who are allowed to fish for it, basically very limited and pretty much not available, so yeah it's all farmed. Personally I don't normally consumed farmed if i can help it, so I'm biased, just getting that out there.
 
Yeah, never have I had any luck with frozen fish and it's mostly because of the textural change and the taste of course, I have not bought frozen fish in decades but have had it served to me more than once, basically I'd rather go without and I'm not trying to be snobby, it's just, cooking is what I did for a living and buying and eating food I don't like is a no go every time.

Yes, wild caught salmon is also a no go in the US, it's against the law basically under the Endangered Species Act and in Canada you might get lucky if you knew someone that had access, specifically it would be Canadian indigenous peoples who are allowed to fish for it, basically very limited and pretty much not available, so yeah it's all farmed. Personally I don't normally consumed farmed if i can help it, so I'm biased, just getting that out there.
I'm pretty sure that it depends on the species of salmon, whether or not wild caught salmon is legal here in Canada. I get frozen, cold smoked, Pacific, sockeye salmon regularly through Lufa Farms (my produce basket place). It's from a company called Organic Ocean Seafood and is Ocean Wise recommended.
 
Once (or maybe twice, can't remember) a year wild caught salmon is available in limited quantities. If you're lucky and walk in the store when it arrives - you are a winner. It happened to me once and it was incredible. Was whole (head and all) fairly small, not like the monstrous sizes you see of the farmed fish. I stuffed, tied, foil wrapped and baked it on the grill outside.
 
Yeah, never have I had any luck with frozen fish and it's mostly because of the textural change and the taste of course, I have not bought frozen fish in decades but have had it served to me more than once, basically I'd rather go without and I'm not trying to be snobby, it's just, cooking is what I did for a living and buying and eating food I don't like is a no go every time.

Yes, wild caught salmon is also a no go in the US, it's against the law basically under the Endangered Species Act and in Canada you might get lucky if you knew someone that had access, specifically it would be Canadian indigenous peoples who are allowed to fish for it, basically very limited and pretty much not available, so yeah it's all farmed. Personally I don't normally consumed farmed if i can help it, so I'm biased, just getting that out there.
I'm not sure what you mean by this. The salmon I buy is through my CSA. According to their website, "100% of our seafood is wild-caught, and harvested and processed in the United States."

Furthermore, "we source from small boats that use low-impact gear such as hook-and-line, pot, and gillnet, and that help support the economies of local fishing communities."

And as far as the quality, we all have our opinions, but I can assure you it's second to none. I've never had a piece of bad fish from this company.
 
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I'm not sure what you mean by this. The salmon I buy is through my CSA. According to their website, "100% of our seafood is wild-caught, and harvested and processed in the United States."

Furthermore, "we source from small boats that use low-impact gear such as hook-and-line, pot, and gillnet, and that help support the economies of local fishing communities."

And as far as the quality, we all have our opinions, but I can assure you it's second to none. I've never had a piece of bad fish from this company.
Maybe the law in the USA has changed, not sure. This is from the NOAA website.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-salmon

Today, commercial and recreational fishing for Atlantic salmon in the United States is prohibited. All Atlantic salmon in the public market is cultured and commercially grown. Only farm-raised Atlantic salmon are found in U.S. seafood markets.

Steve, if your happy with your supplier then that's all that matters.
 
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Today, commercial and recreational fishing for Atlantic salmon in the United States is prohibited. All Atlantic salmon in the public market is cultured and commercially grown. Only farm-raised Atlantic salmon are found in U.S. seafood markets.
The salmon I get through my CSA all comes from Alaska, in the Pacific. I don't eat farm raised salmon.
 
I’m with you @pictonguy. Having worked my entire career in kitchens, I have certain standards for what I eat that might seem pretentious to some, but I assure you that I am not. It’s just that you see quality produce every day and that becomes standard to you.
I rarely if ever send food back when I dine out because I have a fairly good idea about what I will receive when I order. The one I do remember sending back in recent years was a steak tartare that had been made using commercial ground beef!
 
Burnswater

If you live in SanDiego you have access to lots of great fresh fish.

It might be something to get in your regular rotation or an occasional treat. Look at Asian markets for reasonable prices. Make sure you smell before you buy!
 
Some of you don't want frozen fish. I don't want fish that isn't extremely fresh. The best way I have found to get that when I am not in a city with a harbour with a lot of fishing vessels, is to get the fish frozen. I'm not saying that all frozen fish is excellent, far from it. But, I have access to wonderful frozen fish and it seems that @Steve Kroll does too.
 
@taxlady - totally understand the sentiment for frozen fish if you’re far from a harbour town. I’m lucky to live near the ocean so fresh is the only way to go for me. I don’t understand people in my town buying frozen when we are literally just near a fishing port.
 
@taxlady - totally understand the sentiment for frozen fish if you’re far from a harbour town. I’m lucky to live near the ocean so fresh is the only way to go for me. I don’t understand people in my town buying frozen when we are literally just near a fishing port.
Montreal has a harbour, but it's on a river. I suppose it's possible to get really fresh fresh water fish, but I don't like fresh water fish.
 
My BIL lives on the island of Montreal, as does taxy. He eats fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Goes to a market that sells to restaurants and grocers. You have to know someone to get in LOL. It is fresh only for him. He's travel around, without fail he will find a way to the shore and stand near the fishing boats early mornings for their catch. From the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
(personally I think he has gills but hides them well.)
 
my approach . . . look for a market/seller that has whole "i.e. no fileted/etc" fish - and look at the fish eyes. they should be clear & shiny.
some like to check the gills for color - you might get some push back from the seller if you're picking up and prying the gills open . .
 
I grew up in Minneapolis (go Vikings) then Fargo ( go Bison) then on to Indianapolis (go IU fight fight fight) and then, Cedar Rapids (? Beer)

Not the hotbed of fresh fish like where I live now.

Back as a kid, my mom did buy fresh salmon maybe once a month. It was a treat. She had no idea how to cook it but it always tasted so good. She bought it “fresh” at the grocery store

The OP has a lot of literally fresh fish in their grocery store. That would be where I would start.

Also Asian markets always have a lot of fresh fish for cheap.
 

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