Sockeye salmon is a strange fish. As it swims upstream in Alaska to spawn and then die, its appearance changes. Its head turns green and begins to look more prehistoric. Its body changes from silver to bright red. The flesh of these fish is deep red too, because fishermen frequently harvest sockeye as it swims upstream. The taste of the flesh of this fish also changes, making it a unique food to try for any foodie or gourmand.
Ocean Fish Taste Salty When Silver, Not Salty When Swimming Inland
Sockeye salmon spend most of their lives in the ocean. If you were to order fresh, wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon in Santa Cruz CA, and request it be “ocean dwelling”, you would receive the saltwater version of this fish. If you request the lake sockeye, you would receive the fish in all its bright red and green glory as it makes its way back to mating grounds in freshwater lakes. The flesh of the freshwater version of sockeye has a very light taste, making it perfect for smoking and serving as smoked.
The Older the Fish, the Milder the Taste
Additionally, the taste of the fish right before it spawns is very mild. It has just spent a great deal of time swimming upstream in fresh water and its body chemistry is changed in the process. Some people who have tried a sockeye that is caught immediately after it spawns and right before the fish dies say the flesh is at its best. To order wild Alaskan sockeye salmon in Santa Cruz, CA, find the company that can cold-ship it overnight.