Cod and haddock are among the most popular fish in the UK. Fish and chips shops use a lot of these white fish because of their mild flavor and delicate to medium texture. Compared to these popular fish, we consume a lot less sea bream but maybe it’s about time to give the spotlight to the underrated sea bream.
Sea Bream Quick Facts
The sea bream is a big family of salt and freshwater fish found all over the world, usually in temperate waters. The dorsal fins have sharp spikes. They have sharp teeth meant for eating shellfish and smaller fish.
The species in the southern waters of coastal England are oval shaped, medium sized fish. They are omnivores that feed on crustaceans, small fish and some marine vegetation. UK shore caught specimens range from around 1 to 6 pounds.
The gilt-head bream is the species commonly farmed in the Mediterranean seas. This variety is elongated in shape and slightly larger. It has a distinct gold band between its eyes that gave it its name. This variety has been consumed since the time of the Roman empire. UK shore caught specimens have weighed as much as 12lbs.
How Does It Taste?
As a white fish one may think the sea bream tastes like all the others, but it is often described as having a clean yet meaty flavor. It has a rich flavor without that strong fishy taste. The texture of the meat is dense yet juicy.
If you would like to try the sea bream’s sweet flavor and medium texture, you can order it whole or in fillets from our shop.
Sea Bream Whole Fish is great for retaining more flavor and moisture in the fish. This is great for soup stocks, pan-frying and most especially grilling.
Click Here to Buy Whole Sea Bream
Sea Bream Fillets are perfect if you want to cut down on preparation time. If you are looking for a fuss-free meal where you won’t have to worry about how to fillet a fish, then the fillets are for you.
Click Here to Buy Sea Bream Fillets
You Won’t Run Out of Recipe Ideas
A great thing about the sea bream is its versatility. You can choose from many cooking methods and flavor profiles to come up with a dish just for you.
Feel free to bake, pan fry, deep fry, grill, smoke or steam it. Because this fish doesn’t crumble or fall apart when cooked, it works well in braises and stews. In fact, it is the fish traditionally used in bouillabaisse.
You can also salt cure and serve as a ceviche like this:
Sea bream is usually prepared with Mediterranean flavors. Basil, lemon, olives, tomatoes, fennel and thyme are great compliments to this fish.
But recipes from all over the world work well with sea bream too! This fish can transform into new cuisines with its mild taste and firm yet tender texture.
Check out this Asian-flavor inspired recipe:
You can spend hours checking out sea bream recipes and watching video tutorials. You might even come up with your own unique dish for this easy-to-prepare and easy-to-love fish.
A Healthy Fish To Add To The Menu
The sea bream is a lean, non-oily fish, good for those watching their caloric intake.
One serving of about 100g provides about 18g protein, 3g fat and a very small amount of saturated fat. It is also rich in vitamin B12, B6, selenium and phosphorus. These micronutrients are vital for healthy nerve function.
How To Order
Are you ready to give sea bream a try?
Here is a link to our fresh sea bream for your culinary adventures.
Click here to order the whole fish
Click here to order the fillets
