Is Copper River Salmon worth its weight in gold?
We have purchased the infamous Copper River salmon several times and, granted, it is amazing. However, the most we ever paid for it was around $35 per pound. We have been waiting for it's appearance in the market and last weekend we thought we scored. At one of our local gourmet markets the chalkboard announcing daily specials heralded the first of the season. We high-fived and raced in to the seafood counter only to discover in horror that the price per pound was $69.99. Disheartened and deflated, we left without our precious red "gold".
I'm quite certain I embarassed my husband by gaping into the seafood case with my jaw unhinged for several minutes before he drug me away.
Does anyone else feel that is way ridiculous? It's not foie gras or Iberico, for crying out loud!
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
6 Comments:
Since California & Oregon aren't allowed to do any commercial fishing this year (or more?) of salmon, prices will reflect this....granted its mostly Chinook we're talking about but it's the market as a whole.
Copper River is damn tasty though
Kim Nyland at 1:32AM on 05/28/08
Copper River Salmon is amazing, but the high prices are also due to marketing - it's a "branded" salmon. Yukon river salmon (which should be coming in a few weeks) generally has twice the much desired omega-3's than Copper river, but b/c it's not as well known it won't cost as much. You really can't go wrong with salmon from any icy Alaskan Waters.
fiddleheadfern at 11:47AM on 05/28/08
Wait a week or so and shop elsewhere. I can't imagine the price going up by over 100%. It's not gasoline.
We also typically pay ~$35/lb at the chain grocery store where we do almost all our shopping at. Each year, we get a couple of pounds and I prepare it steamed, with nothing in, on, or around it.
Thanks for reminding me it's that time of year! I'd forgotten. :P
Cassaendra at 12:13PM on 05/28/08
Copper River salmon is sockeye, which is a smaller and redder salmon than chinook. Fiddleheadfern is correct: Buy *any* Alaskan sockeye and you will be a happy person.
Sadly, I live in California and am experiencing the Year Without A Salmon. I was in shock for a while, but I have just made the acquaintance of the Pacific white seabass, which is so freakin' awesome I am wondering where it's been all my life!
Get ready for $40 a pound king salmon later this year...or switch to another fish.
HunterAnglerGardenerCook at 3:43PM on 05/28/08
Pacific white seabass, hmmm? Not familiar, but I mean to look for it.
BTW, I actually feel much better today. I checked my local WF and they also had Copper River Sockeye fillets which looked gorgeous and their price was $34.99 per lb. If anyone who had purchased it a few blocks away for double the price saw it in the seafood case at WF, their hearts probably stopped, just like mine did!
@Cassaendra - I totally agree with you -we also usually prepare ours quite unadorned, as well, to truly appreciate it. And we never fail to give thanks to the beautiful fish who gave up it's life for us...
frederika at 4:34PM on 05/28/08
"I can't imagine the price going up by over 100%. It's not gasoline."
yeah & we never thought the price of flour & rice would go up 150+% in a year either.
Kim Nyland at 12:41AM on 05/29/08