Cod - a species of fish that belongs to the Cod family, in ancient times this variety was called "Labardan". Cod got its current name due to the unusual property of meat cracking when it is dried. There is another version of the change of name: cod has become so called because it makes a crackling sound that appears with the contraction of the muscles of the swimming bladder. In the photo, cod looks very impressive.
What does cod look like?
Cod sea or river fish? A distinctive feature is that it grows throughout its life and lives in the seas. By the age of three, the length of an individual reaches half a meter, the largest individuals can grow up to 2 meters in length, and such a fish weighs about 96 kilograms. The body of the cod is distinguished by an elongated fusiform shape, the scales are small, serrated. The upper part of the cod can be painted in olive, yellowish or brown color with brown spots. The sides of the cod are light, the belly is white. The cod, which is found in Atlantic waters, lives longer than all fish, its age can reach 25 years, in the Pacific - 18 years, in Greenland - 12.
Atlantic cod
Cod - which fish? Atlantic, for example, is the largest fish and can reach a length of 1-2 meters. This species of cod lives in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and has several subspecies. They depend on the specific habitat. To date, the following classification of subspecies exists:
- Classical Atlantic cod lives from 5 to 10 years, the average length is 80 centimeters. The color is greenish, the belly is white.
- Kildin cod is found in the waters of Grave Lake, which is located on the island of Kildin in the Murmansk region. This is a real natural monument, the exclusivity of which lies in the fact that water in a reservoir of varying degrees of salinity. Cod started in this lake in the 10th century, even then it was not a lake, but a sea lagoon. The cod that lives in Grave Lake is small, about 50 centimeters in length, and weighs only 2-3 kilograms. The color of individuals is brighter than that of the previous subspecies. Today, Kildin cod is one step away from extinction and is protected. This led to too frequent fishing and pollution of the lake. They tried to relocate this subspecies to other reservoirs, but representatives of this species are simply not able to dwell in other places.
- Baltic cod lives, respectively, in the Baltic Sea. It is similar in size and appearance to the Atlantic one, in length it can reach 100 centimeters, and the weight of such a fish is 10-12 kilograms.
These subspecies are considered the largest in terms of number of individuals.
Pacific cod
Its main difference from the Atlantic in the size of the front part, namely the head. It is more massive and wide, while the size of the body itself is small. In length, individuals can reach from 45 to 90 centimeters in length. The maximum weight is 22 kilograms. There is cod in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean; these are the Berengovo, Okhotsk and Sea of Japan. Fish feed mainly on pollock, shrimp, crabs and worms, as well as other small fish. Pacific cod has one subspecies - bowhead cod. It differs in small dimensions, approximately 70 centimeters in length. It also feeds on small fish and invertebrate organisms.
Arctic cod
This species is subdivided into two subspecies: ice and East Siberian cod. The first variety inhabited the waters of the Arctic Ocean; individuals are distinguished by gray colors and small sizes. Only 30 centimeters in length. East Siberian cod lives off the coast of Greenland, North America and Siberia. The sizes of individuals are larger than that of the ice. In length, they reach 50-55 centimeters, and the average weight is a little more than a kilogram.
Cod spawning
Cod is a sea fish, its puberty and ability to reproduce also depend on the habitat of individuals. For example, Atlantic cod first goes to spawning grounds at the age of eight to nine years. Cod living in the waters of the Pacific Ocean begins to breed a little earlier, at the age of five to six years, the arctic species are the youngest, they are ready to go to spawning grounds already at the age of 3-4 years.
The breeding season usually begins in the first weeks of March. Cod is on the list of the most prolific fish, and this is not surprising, because one adult is capable of sweeping up to 6 million eggs. This process is not happening right away, but gradually, in portions, over the course of several weeks. Spawning occurs at a depth of up to 100 meters, all this time the males are next to the female in order to immediately fertilize the spawned eggs.
Further, the caviar sinks to the bottom, as if sticking to the vegetation. This is how breeding occurs in Pacific cod. As for the Atlantic species, the caviar does not fall to the bottom, it carries the current to the north, where larvae later appear. Already around the end of summer - beginning of autumn, young individuals enter the Barents Sea and live at the bottom for the first few years.
Cod from other fish is distinguished by the fact that it is of great economic importance. This is because delicious delicate fish and especially cod liver have very useful properties. Cod liver is considered a fatty product, but fish meat is very useful for losing weight. Unlike other varieties of fish, dried cod for a long time retains all its nutritional and beneficial properties. It was cod that helped keep alive the great travelers who discovered new countries.
The benefits of cod
Cod liver is a very healthy product that is not only rich in vitamins A and D, but also contains a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids. We all at least once in our lives heard and consumed fish oil as a dietary supplement. It turns out it is from the cod liver. But cod meat, especially steamed, is a real find for losing weight. Its advantage is that with a minimum number of calories, the body receives a sufficient amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. The highest quality cod is recognized as one that was caught off the coast of Alaska and Iceland. As for nutritional value, there are only 82 calories, 0.7 grams of fat and 19 grams of protein per 100 grams of fish, carbohydrates are completely absent. Is this not happiness for those who want to say goodbye to being overweight? In addition to protein and essential amino acids, cod boasts a large amount of vitamin B12. Its task is a healthy nervous system and full development. That is why fish must be in the diet of children. It is also necessary to mention that cod is a source of selenium and phosphorus. These nutrients help maintain healthy hair, skin, bones, and teeth.
Dietary properties of cod
The benefits of cod fish in its low calorie diet. Adhere to the principles of proper nutrition? Then cod is what you need. It can replace heavy types of meat, such as pork or beef, and not feel any weakness, loss of strength or energy. All because of the high protein content in fish meat. As we know, with age, metabolic processes in the body slow down and people slowly but surely gain extra pounds. To prevent this from happening, to always stay healthy and alert, you need to make a choice in favor of low-calorie, rich in vitamins and microelements products. These include cod. Various research teams have studied the effect of cod on the human body and have come to the conclusion that regular consumption of cod slows down the processes of cognitive decline in the brain, which inevitably occurs with age.
How to cook cod delicious?
You can often hear from beginning cooks that cod meat is dry and fresh, and during cooking from the pungent smell of fish, there’s nowhere to go. And if the meat is dry, you can often hear that the liver is too fat. So where is the truth?
Of course, all this takes place, and these are not flaws, but the specific features of cod. It is only important to learn how to cook it properly. The most popular dishes with the addition of cod are salad with liver, fish soup, fillet cutlets, cod baked in the oven with vegetables and steamed. Also, you can simply fry the fish, but it is best to choose a different method of heat treatment.
What does cod taste like?
Cod is a sea fish, meat of a fresh individual of a pleasant white color, slightly layered, nevertheless it tastes soft and non-greasy. The peculiarity of cod is that it has a pronounced taste and smell of fish, so many housewives have learned to weaken these aromas and taste. To do this, you only need to boil the fish in a large amount of ordinary water, adding as many different spices to the pan as possible. And another important element - celery roots, parsley and onions. It is important to remember for novice cooks that cod cannot be frozen again, as it completely loses its taste and becomes watery.
Cooking Application
It so happened that cod is the product that is used in almost any national cuisine. This type of fish is widely known throughout the world and is present on tables in every country. You can cook anything from cod and its liver, starting with soups and ending with snacks. Cod carcass can become an independent dish, which is easily and quickly cooked in the oven. But the most popular way is drying, drying, salting and smoking fish. This is because cod is one of the few species of fish that, when dried and salted, retains all the beneficial properties.
Interesting Cod Facts
Since fish was popular among people in ancient times, a considerable amount of interesting information about this fish has gathered in history. Here are the most entertaining ones:
- In 1992, a crackling crisis occurred in Canada and in many other countries. Difficult times for fish factories began when there was a sharp decline in the cod population, which forced the Government of Canada to impose a moratorium on fishing. In Canada alone, more than 400 fish processing factories closed.
- Some peoples consider cod a gift of God, because nothing is lost from the catch, everything is used.
- The Portuguese have one interesting national dish called cod bacagliau. It is interesting because it fell into the Guinness Book of Records, since only 3134 people were able to taste this delicacy.
Cod is a real storehouse of vitamins that is available to us all year round. The inclusion of fish in the diet will help to improve well-being, raise the overall tone of the body and get rid of a couple of extra pounds.