Perch fish is a common name at least in the northern region. Because of its availability and versatility, perch fish became known worldwide. However, there are multiple types of them that you can find in the market. You might be wondering what one tastes like. Well, the short answer for that is it tastes excellent.
Perch fish is known as one of the best-tasted freshwater fish too. So, your curiosity is definitely valid. The taste can enhance by cooking it in the right way too. To answer your curiosity in a more detailed way we have collected information to describe how good perch fish is!
What is a Perch Fish
It is a common type of fish that is found in the northern regions mostly. For example, you will find them in the northern parts of the USA, Canada, Nordic countries in Europe, Russia, etc. They are native to North America too. However, perch can be found at restaurants around the world other than in the USA. They are usually found in freshwater like rivers, lakes, etc. There are different types of perch as well.
You can buy the one you are looking for based on your taste and the way you will cook it. Below we will introduce the types of perch fish and some methods of cooking them as well.
Different Species of Perch Fish
There are basically three kinds of perch fish: silver, white, and yellow. Other than the color, nothing really varies to a significant extent. Yellow parch is generally known as the most delicious one. The reason is yellow perch usually has very moist meat that is also mildly sweet. It almost melts in mount giving a sweet lasting taste too. It is also widely available throughout the northern region. You can find it in both ponds and rivers. The wild ones will have less protein and fat.
However, that doesn’t affect the taste all that much. White perch will be found on the opposite side of the country which is south Carolina. You can identify this one by its horizontal signature mark on the body. The mark is black running horizontally on its silver body. Although it is called white perch, it does have a silver shiny body. It also weighs a lot- about 1 pound. And length can go up to 20 inches. This huge fish doesn’t have any significant difference from most perches.
The only advantage is the region it is found. Then comes the silver perch. This lowkey type is found in the eastern part of the USA. However, unlike the other two types, it is found in creeks mostly. It is also much more similar to redfish. Because of its habitat, it is easy to catch and find. As the taste doesn’t vary much, silver perch is very popular too. But they are small compared to the other two types. This Top Tactics for Big Perch book will be a great help if you are interested in learning more about perch fish!
What Does It Taste Like
Usually the taste of a fish depends on its diet. In the case of perch fish, it frats on various kinds of insects, tiny fish, etc. Because of that, the taste of perch fish becomes very delicious. It tastes mildly sweet and the flavor is excellent. This fish has very soft and delicate flesh and the texture becomes flaky when cooked. Since it is from freshwater the fillets are very moist and thick. In fact, the texture doesn’t change even if you grill, boil or bake it at several temperatures. It goes with many kinds of side dishes too.
It has white flesh with a mild taste. The texture is also crumbly but firm. Some people like to compare it with walleye. However, the demand for this fish is more. The diet of perch fish is a major reason for this. The texture of this fish is very delicate. Whichever way you cook it, once you chew it will melt in your mouth and leave a sweet lasting taste. Because of this tender feeling, it is demanded worldwide for its taste and flavor.
If you haven’t had perch fish yet, an amazing experience awaits you. It is also very versatile and of which it goes well with so many ingredients. The flavor of this fish stays the same no matter what ingredient goes with it. Because of all these advantages, perch fish is very demanded by cooks, restaurants, and people all over the world.
Health Benefits
Not only does it taste good, but it also has massive health benefits. According to the USDA, 100 g of raw perch fish provides us with 19.4 g protein, 80 mg calcium, 30 mg magnesium, 381 kJ energy, and a huge amount of sodium, potassium, iron, copper zinc, and other minerals. Other than that, the best part is the number of vitamins it provides.
Vitamin A, C, B-6, B-12, E, D, etc. It also has fatty acids that can fulfill 90% of the daily intake needed. The minerals in this fish can strengthen bone health, increase red blood cells, and improve the immune system. It will also be helpful for cardiac health. Just having a piece of perch fish a day will ensure daily intake of a lot of vitamins and minerals.
How to Cook Perch Fish
As perch fish is a versatile fish, it can be cooked in many ways. You can bake, grill, boil, or pan-fry it. Some good techniques need to be followed in order to cook it in the right way. For example, while cooking it is always better to brush the filler with oil. In that way, the fish doesn’t burn. However, for baking, you can add oil with sauce so that the fish doesn’t get dehydrated. The texture will stay delicate and firm.
The flavor will stay intact no matter how you cook it. There will be a sweet flavor that you can tone down with spice or enhance with herbs. You can keep the skin on so that you can have a crispy taste. In fact, grilling the fish will keep the moist texture. Since there are different types of perch, you might need to keep in mind how to cook which type.
The one that is firm and oily, the white perch, for example, will be firmer so you can pick it for grilling the fish. Fatty fish will not need extra oil as it can extract its own fat and make the skin moist and delicate. You can even eat perch fish raw.
Whether to cook it or not, keep the skin on or not will depend on where you are from and what type of fish it is. In the case of cutting the fish in the right way keeping the pieces in the same size will be recommended so that the ingredients and spices can be cooked thoroughly the same way.
You can watch this chef’s recipe to fry perch fish to have a visual understanding of frying it-
Conclusion
Other than the taste part of it, perch fish can be included in your meal for health purposes. Having one serving of perch fish will ensure a proper intake of vitamins and protein daily. It is especially good for people with the weak immune system. And the excellent taste and delicate flavor it brings is just the cherry on top.
So the next time you go to the market, make sure to buy one and you’ll know why everyone loves the taste of this fish.
