Carp has been a topic of debate amongst meat-eaters all over the world. The common notion is that Carp is not worth a try. The flesh tastes like mud, people from a certain part of the world eat Carp, etc.
But to answer the question, can you eat Carp? Yes, would be the straightforward answer. It’s a great fish, can taste delicious if prepared properly, and is a staple food for people in many parts of the world.
Here are some quick facts about Carp:
- Carp does not contain more toxins than similarly sized fish. Their omnivorous diet of vegetation, mollusks, and insects makes them less toxic than they are believed to be. Carp from clean water is a better and safer fish to eat than most game fish.
- The safety guidelines for fish consumption are stricter for trout and Salmon than Carp.
- The taste of Carp depends on its habitat. More polluted the water is for any fish, the flesh will taste funny. It is no different for Carp.
- Carp have been considered a delicacy and have a long culinary history. Carp were cultivated for food in the Middle Ages.
- Many parts of the United States consider carp eggs caviar.
- Carp is a primary food fish in Asia and has a great sporting value in Europe. Several recipes in Europe are dedicated to the Carp, and more and more people are getting curious about it with every passing year.
If you have been hesitant about eating Carp and had serious reservations, this article should help change your mind.
Is it worth a try?
Indeed, like any other fish, Carp is a lean meat with high protein and a considerable percentage of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Taste it to know it
The Carp species from the excellent water can be mistaken for Salmon. It tastes better than most fish. One should know which Carp to consider from which water body.
The muddy taste associated with Carp is because of the way the fish is handled and stored.
Not the Muddy Carp
The trick is to transfer the catch to an ice cooler so that the blood flow is diminished and does not reach the flesh that will be eaten. Kill the catch with a blow to its head and let the blood out by slitting the gills.
If ice coolers are not available, keep the fish in clean water for 2-3 days. As for detoxification, it is recommended not to feed it anything. This is an alternative but to be considered for a shorter duration.
The other rule is to get the fish from a clean source. The Carp eats the bottom part of the vegetation and thus is more susceptible to consuming pollutants. The cleaner the habitat, the better the carp meat. Never consider bigger fish. A carp that weighs 15 pounds and above is not a good catch.
Which Flesh to Consider?
Remove the head and the tail and cut along the belly. Use a thin knife and run it as close to the backbone as you can. Carp flesh is a delicacy if it is properly cleaned, descaled, and bloodline is obliterated.
Enjoy the Carp
Carp meat can be prepared in as many ways as you fancy. You can enjoy wonderful meals, like Carp nuggets, patties, fillets, burgers, etc. Many people love to try steaks, too. You can cook Carp by grilling, smoking, frying, slow cooking, baking, pickling, and poaching. Try out different seasonings and recipes and adjust the ingredients as per your liking.
Can you eat Carp? You might not get it right the first time, but experimenting with this one is a key to enjoy the Carp.
Bio: Ellen Hollington is a freelance writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. She works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.