Fermented fish is a traditional preservation of fish. Before refrigeration, canning and other modern preservation techniques became available, fermenting was an important preservation method. Fish rapidly spoils, or goes rotten, unless some method is applied to stop the bacteria that produce the spoilage.Fermentation is a method which attacks the ability ofmicrobials to spoil fish. It does this by making the fish muscle more acidic; bacteria usually cease multiplying when thepH drops below 4.5.
A modern approach,biopreservation, addslactic acid bacteria to the fish to be fermented. This produces active antimicrobials such as lactic and acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, andpeptidebacteriocins. It can also produce the antimicrobialnisin, a particularly effective preservative.[1][2]
Fermented fish preparations can be notable for their putrid smell. These days there are many other techniques of preserving fish, but fish is still fermented because some people enjoy the taste.
An archaeological find from 2016 provides evidence for fish fermentation dating back to 9,200 years ago.[3]
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Alaska has witnessed a steady increase of cases ofbotulism since 1985.[4] It has more cases of foodborne botulism than any other state in the United States of America. This is caused by the traditionalInuit/Yupik practice of allowing animal products such as whole fish, fish heads,walrus,sea lion, andwhale flippers,beaver tails, seal oil, birds, etc., to ferment for an extended period of time before being consumed. The risk is exacerbated when aplastic container is used for this purpose instead of the old-fashioned, traditional method, a grass-lined hole, as thebotulinum bacteria thrive in the anaerobic conditions created by the air-tight enclosure in plastic.[4]
| Name | Image | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagoong |  | Philippines | Partially or completely fermented fish or shrimps.[5] Fish bagoong is prepared by mixing salt with fish,[6] and placing it inside large earthen fermentation jars.[7] There it is left to ferment for 30–90 days with occasional stirring to make sure the salt is spread evenly.[8] A food colouring calledangkak is added to give the bagoong its characteristic red or pink colour. Angkak is made from rice inoculated with a species of red mold (Monascus purpureus).[6] Some manufacturers grind the fermented product finely and sell the resulting mixture as fish paste.[9] A byproduct of the fermentation process is afish sauce calledpatis.[10] |
| Bekasang | Indonesia | Fermented offal, or only stomach of tuna. | |
| Bottarga, poutargue, boutargue, botarga |  | Mediterranean,Mauritania | Bottarga is salted cured fish roe, typically ofgrey mullet frequently found near coastlines throughout the world. |
| Burong isda |  | Philippines | AFilipino dish consisting of cooked rice andfilleted fishfermented with salt andangkak (red yeast rice) for around a week.[11] |
| Chêpa Shũṭki | Bengal,Bangladesh | Literally "pressurizedshũṭki" or "pressurized dried fish".Puti Fish are used to prepare Chepa Shutki. They are sun-dried for 12 to 14 days, then kept in a jute sack for one month, after which it is washed and placed in a pressurized earthenware pot for 3 to 4 months. | |
| Colombo cure | Sri Lanka,India, Bangladesh | Fish are gutted, washed and salted together with dried fruit pulp or tamarind. The fish are kept covered in brine with the help of weighted mats and are fermented for 2 to 4 months. | |
| Dayok |  | Philippines | APhilippine condiment from theVisayas andMindanao islands of thePhilippines consisting of fish entrails (usually fromyellowfin tuna), excluding the heart andbile sac, fermented in salt, various herbs, and sometimespangasi (an indigenousrice wine). It has a sharpumami flavor and is used similarly topatis (Filipino fish sauce).[12][13][14] |
| Fesikh, fassikh, fassiekh, terkeen |  | Egypt,Sudan | Fermented, salted and dried graymullet, of themugil family, a saltwater fish that lives in both theMediterranean and theRed Seas.[15] The traditional process of preparing it is to dry the fish in the sun before preserving it in salt. The process of preparing fesikh is quite elaborate, passing from father to son in certain families. The occupation has a special name inEgypt, fasakhani. Fesikh is eaten during theSham el-Nessim festival, which is a spring celebration from ancient times in Egypt. In Sudan species used areAlestes spp. andHydrocynus spp. Processing time is 10 to 20 days. The products is packed in wooden boxes and also in used vegetable oil tins.In the case ofterkeen the fermented fish is warmed up and stirred at the end of the processing period, resulting in a paste that includes small fish bones and has a taste resembling both liver pâté and anchovy paste.Both products are important ingredients (condiments) in Sudanese as well as in Egyptian cooking. |
| Fish sauce |  | Asia | Clear light or dark brown liquid produced from salted fermented anchovies (Stolephorus sp.) or other fish or fishery products such as squid, shrimp and shellfish. The fermentation period is usually half a year or more, up to one and a half year (the longer the better). Local names are: Cambodia – teok trei; China – yu lu, xing tang, yee su; Indonesia – kecap ikan; Japan – ishiri, ishiru, shotssuru, ikanago; Korea – aekjeot; Lao – nam pla; Malaysia –budu; Myanmar – nganpya yay; Philippines – patis; Thailand – nam pla; Vietnam nuoc mam. A similar product produced in Italy iscolatura di Alici. Attempts to make similar products in Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Senegal) failed because of lack of involvement of the private sector, but the potential still exists. Also in South America there is potential to make it, for instance in Peru from longnose anchovyAnchoa nasus. |
| Funazushi |  | Japan | Freshfuna (afreshwater fish) are scaled and gutted through their gills keeping the body (and always theroe) of the fish intact. The fish are then packed with salt and aged for a year before being repacked annually in rice for up to four years. The resulting fermented dish may be served sliced thin or used as an ingredient in other dishes. The more generic termNarezushi is any fermented fish. |
| Garum |  | Ancient Greek andRome | Fermented fish sauce and essential flavour |
| Guedj |  | Senegal | Salt-cured fish popular as flavoring in local dishes in Senegal and West Africa. Gutted whole or split fish are packed between layers of coarse sea salt and fermented for one to three days. They are then sun-dried. |
| Hákarl |  | Iceland | Consists of aGreenland- orbasking shark cured and hung to dry for four to five months. Hákarl is often referred to as anacquired taste[16] and smells richly of ammonia with a strong fish andcheese taste. Traditionally prepared by gutting and beheading the shark and burying it in a shallow hole in gravelly sand. Stones are placed on top to press fluids from the shark. The shark ferments this way for 6–12 weeks, and is then cut into strips and hung to dry for several months. During the drying period a brown crust develops, which is removed prior to cutting the shark into small pieces and serving. The modern method is just to press the shark in a large drained plastic container. ChefAnthony Bourdain described hákarl as "the single worst, most disgusting and terrible tasting thing" he has ever eaten.[16] ChefGordon Ramsay challenged journalistJames May to sample hákarl onThe F Word. Ramsay vomited after the experience.[17] |
| Hentak | Manipur, India | Made from powdered, sun-driedIndian flying barb and thepetioles ofaroid plants | |
| Hongeohoe |  | Korea | Made from fermentedskate. Has a strong characteristic ammonia-like odour. Usually served uncooked and without further preparation, along with other Korean side dishes such askimchi. |
| Jeotgal | .jpg) | Korea | Salted fermented dishes made with seafood such as fish, shellfish, and other marine animals.[18][19][20] Depending on the ingredients,jeotgal can range from flabby, solid pieces to clear, broth-like liquid. Solidjeotgal are usually eaten asbanchan (side dish). Liquidjeotgal, calledaekjeot, is popularly used inkimchi seasoning, as well as in various soups and stews.[21] |
| Kusaya |  | Japan | Salted-dried and fermented fish, famous for its malodorousness similar to the pungent fermented Swedish herringsurströmming. Though the smell of kusaya is strong, the taste is quite mellow. Often eaten with Japanesesake orshōchū. Kusaya originated in theIzu Islands, probably onNiijima, where, during theEdo period people used to earn a living through salt making. Villagers paid taxes to the government with the salt they made, and as taxes were high, salt for fish-curing was used frugally. The same salt was used many times for this purpose, resulting in a pungent dried fish, which was later called kusaya. The resulting, tea-colored, sticky, stinky brine was passed on from generation to generation as a family heirloom. Though kusaya is made on several of the Izu Islands today, it is said that kusaya from Niijima has the strongest odor. |
| Lakerda | Greece | Steaks of bonito are boned, soaked in brine, then salted and weighted for about a week. They are then ready to eat, or may be stored in olive oil. Sometimes large mackerel or small tuna are used instead of bonito. | |
| Lanhouin | Ghana,Togo,Benin | Lanhouin is salted fermented dried fish produced in the coastal regions of the Gulf of Benin using croaker (Cassava fish,Pseudotholithus sp.) or West African Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus tritor). Lanhouin is widely used as a condiment. | |
| Lumlom | Philippines | Fish (traditionallymilkfish ortilapia) buried in mud for a day or two until it begins to slightly ferment. It is cleaned and cooked aspaksiw sa tuba, withnipa vinegar and spices, and sometimescoconut cream. It is a pre-colonial regional dish ofBulacan.[22][23][24] | |
| Mahyaveh | Iran | Mahyaveh is produced in the southern part of Iran, especially in Larestan and Hormozgan, from sardines (Sardinella sp.) or anchovies (Stolephorus sp.), salt, spices and water. The fish – fresh or dried – are headed, washed, mixed with salt and warm water and packed into earthenware or glass jars. After a month the mixture is mashed into a slurry and filtered. The resulting brown liquid is then mixed with mustard (Brassica juncea) and other spices, such as cumin (Cuminum cyminum), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare), black pepper (Piper nigrum) and thyme (Thymus capitatus). After another 10 to 15 days the desirable taste and aroma are produced and the sauce is ready. | |
| Matjes (maatjes) herring |  | Netherlands, Germany | Lightly salted and fermented fat youngherring usually eaten with chopped onion. The name derives from theDutch "maagd" (virgin) as the young herring have no developed gonads. SeeGibbing. |
| Momone (momoni) | Ghana | Momone is produced in Ghana from various fish species and also from squid and octopus. The fish is gutted, washed, rubbed with salt and packed in layers in barrels, alternating with layers of salt. After fermentation for 7 days the fish are dried in the sun. Pieces of momone, together with ground red pepper, tomato, onion and palm oil are boiled to a sauce to accompany pounded starchy staple foods. | |
| Ngachin | Myanmar (Burma) | Pressed and fermented fish eaten inBurmese cuisine | |
| Ngapi |  | Myanmar (Burma) | a fermented paste made of either fish or shrimp, commonly used as a seasoning or sauce inBurmese cuisine |
| Ngari | Manipur, India | Ngari is a traditional fermented food of Manipur. It is prepared by fermenting smaller freshwater fishes with mustard oil and salt. The dried fish are then tightly packed them in a big clay urn which is made airtight. The urn is buried for 30–40 days. Ngari is roasted lightly prior to consumption, and then added in many Manipuri dishes, such aseromba.[25][26] | |
| Pekasam | Malaysia | Fermented half/fully fried mild coarse rices made by pickling several varieties of almost all fresh water fish, mainlyAnabas testudineus,Tinfoil barb,Snakehead,Catfish,Leptobarbus hoevenii sometimes inBorneo, they fermentMacrobrachium rosenbergii,Freshwater prawn farming. Slightly different recipe and process of makingPla ra, the fish is also cleaned, cut into pieces if the size is too big and preserved with salt for several days and then mix with half friedRicebran pluspalm sugar orbrown sugar. The sugar is claimed as starter to the rice bran to become brewed as result thepekasam have nicer sweet sour smells and salty taste. Sometimes tamarind juice also added to make the more sour effect. This is then left(traditionally) in a claycrock covered with a cheesecloth lid, to ferment for at least a week and up to a year.[27] | |
| Prahok |  | Cambodia | Prahok is a crushed, salted and fermented fish paste (usually of mud fish) that is used in Cambodian cuisine as a seasoning or a condiment. It originated as a way of preserving fish during the longer months when fresh fish was not available in abundant supply. Because of its saltiness and strong flavor, it was used as an addition to many meals in Cambodian cuisine, such as soups. Prahok has a strong and distinct smell, earning the nickname Cambodian Cheese. Prahok is usually eaten with rice in the countryside or poorer regions.[citation needed] |
| Pla ra |  | Thailand | Fermentedfish sauce made by pickling several varieties of fish, mainlysnakehead murrel. The fish is cleaned, cut into pieces and mixed with salt and rice bran. This is then left in a big jar covered with a wooden lid, to ferment for three months to a year.[28] Recently a dried powdered version of pla ra has been successfully marketed.[29] |
| Rakfisk |  | Norway | Made fromtrout or sometimeschar, salted andfermented for two to three months, or even up to a year, then eaten without cooking. The first record of the termrakfisk dates back to 1348, but the history of the food is probably even older.[30] As a dish, rakfisk is related to the Swedishsurströmming and possibly shares a common origin. Traditionally eaten around Christmas. |
| Sikhae | .jpg) | Korea | Saltedfermented food prepared with fish—typicallyrighteye flounders,Alaska pollock,chub mackerel,sailfin sandfish, andJapanese anchovy— andgrains—typicallyrice orfoxtail millet—.[31][32]Sikhae is made in the East coast regions of Korea, namelyGwanbuk,Gwandong, andYeongnam regions.[32] |
| Shiokara | Japan | Fermentedoffal. | |
| Surströmming |  | Sweden | Fermented Balticherring, notorious for its pungent odour. |
| Tepa | Yup'ik | Tepas, also calledstinkheads, are fermentedwhitefish heads. A customary way of preparing them is to placefish heads and guts in a wooden barrel, cover it with burlap, and bury it in the ground for about a week. For a short while in modern times, plastic bags and buckets replaced the barrel. However this increased the risk ofbotulism, and theYupikEskimos have reverted to fermenting fishheads directly in the ground.[33][34] | |
| Tinapayan | Philippines | Fish (usuallysnakehead or catfish) is dried beforehand for a few days before being covered withtapay (cooked rice fermented overnight in banana leaves), with ginger, chilis, and other spices. It is allowed to ferment further for another week. The results are shredded and deep-fried in oil before serving (usually on white rice). It originates from the cuisine of theMaguindanao people.[35][36] | |
| Tungtap | Meghalaya, India | Sun-dried, salted, fermentedIndian flying barb fish | |
| Trassi (terasi, terassi) (Indonesia)Belacan (Malaysia) |  | Indonesia, Malaysia | Dark blocks made from dried fermented salted paste from tiny shrimp (trassi udang) or small fish (trassi ikan). |
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| Shellfish | |
| Other seafood | |
| Processed seafood | |
| Seafood dishes | |
| Health hazards | |
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| Animal welfare | |
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