What does 'Naturally smoked' fish mean?
Hubby The Engineer and I were discussing what naturally smoked fish means. Forest fire? Anything else is not naturally supplied. Applied means added. Thoughts?
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Hubby The Engineer and I were discussing what naturally smoked fish means. Forest fire? Anything else is not naturally supplied. Applied means added. Thoughts?
11 Comments
http://www.burrensmokehouse.ie/blog/about/life-cycle-of-the-wild-salmon/how-we-smoke-our-salmon
Artificial smoke is a different story. I'm not a food chemist and I don't know all of what's involved with the stuff but my opinion is it's best to stay away from it. Fortunately, at least in the U.S., it must be clearly labeled "artificial smoke flavor":
"No representation may be made, either directly or implied, that a food flavored with pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavor has been smoked or has a true smoked flavor, or that a seasoning sauce or similar product containing pyroligneous acid or other artificial smoke flavor and used to season or flavor other foods will result in a smoked product or one having a true smoked flavor."
As for smoke flavorings, there are both natural (derived from real wood smoke) and artificial varieties.
The term "Naturally Smoked" indicates the product has been "exposed to smoke generated from burning hardwoods, hardwood sawdust, corn cobs, mesquite, etc.", i.e. the traditional smoking process as opposed to the use of liquid smoke (which can carry the term "Smoked").
However…
The argument could be made that foods smoked over wood are less healthful than foods flavored with liquid smoke products. Tars, ash and other undesirable byproducts are removed during production of liquid smoke but presumably remain when smoked over wood.
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