Consolidated "Copper River Salmon" thread
May 26, 2013, 2:44 pm
#121
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 53
Costco
I love it when Costco get CRS in. I am in Canada so we get it later than in the US if at all if there is a low production season (even though it must literally fly right over us to get to the US). Not in the store yet but I keep watching. This is one of the reasons I renew my Costco membership each year.
May 28, 2013, 8:45 pm
#125
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: My opinions are my own and not that of my employer(s)
Posts: 1,411
Your huge Midwest guy probably is trucking it in with full reefers at a lower cost since he does volume. Since the trip is long and over very hot climates with reefers are coldest at the front I'd bet it's frozen before shipment. (I once unloaded a reefer full of eggs that only went 300 miles and there was a huge difference in temps from rear to front)
The large grocers are also trucking stuff, most likely frozen as it also has to go through links in their distribution network.
That doesn't compare to fresh fish packed in ice shipped via air.
May 28, 2013, 9:01 pm
#126
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: My opinions are my own and not that of my employer(s)
Posts: 1,411
to previously frozen "fresh" seafood.
May 28, 2013, 9:21 pm
#127
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
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Posts: 11,802
Don't get me wrong, it's good fish, but the Copper River salmon craze is first and foremost a triumph of marketing. All the TV stations here in Seattle (and I assume in ANC) fall over themselves when the first Alaska Airlines plane full of Copper River salmon lands - example.
The oil content is somewhat higher than fish caught in other drainages, but not that much higher; by overcooking it just a wee bit you can neutralize the advantage over other Pacific salmon.
Later in the summer, fish from the Yukon River run will be available - I defy anyone to tell the difference in a blind test. The folk working the Yukon product are trying to market it in similar manner to the Cordova people, but obviously they're playing from behind.
Would I spend thirty bucks a pound for Copper River salmon? No, I'd buy "everyday" Alaska wild King or Red (or fish from Washington or BC, pretty comparable) and be happy with the $10 - $20 savings per pound.
Costco has good prices, to be sure. However, they also market Russian King Crab (harvested with fewer controls and conservation measures) and let the consumer assume it's from Alaska.
Others may disagree, of course.
The oil content is somewhat higher than fish caught in other drainages, but not that much higher; by overcooking it just a wee bit you can neutralize the advantage over other Pacific salmon.
Later in the summer, fish from the Yukon River run will be available - I defy anyone to tell the difference in a blind test. The folk working the Yukon product are trying to market it in similar manner to the Cordova people, but obviously they're playing from behind.
Would I spend thirty bucks a pound for Copper River salmon? No, I'd buy "everyday" Alaska wild King or Red (or fish from Washington or BC, pretty comparable) and be happy with the $10 - $20 savings per pound.
Costco has good prices, to be sure. However, they also market Russian King Crab (harvested with fewer controls and conservation measures) and let the consumer assume it's from Alaska.
Others may disagree, of course.
Jul 20, 2016, 1:59 pm
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
copper river salmon
the salmon arrived a month ago. i have always had trouble finding a wine match.
now: cedar plank grilled coho salmon and sauterne. !!! middle grade, sweet french sauterne.
if you do not like it, feed the fish to the dog, and the sauterne to the wife..........
now: cedar plank grilled coho salmon and sauterne. !!! middle grade, sweet french sauterne.
if you do not like it, feed the fish to the dog, and the sauterne to the wife..........
Jul 20, 2016, 4:37 pm
#129
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
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Posts: 8,037
For good Salmon (copper river or otherwise) it is critical that you cook to temperature (135) and not time. If you overcook it you might as well be serving frozen farmed atlantic salmon.
May 21, 2017, 7:31 pm
#132
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA & RDM
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Posts: 8,037
The run isn't very good this year (half of last year). Here in Seattle it is $35 a pound. Last year it started at $20 and ended up at $10. I think the best we can hope for is $20 this year.
May 22, 2017, 11:47 am
#134
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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May 22, 2017, 12:01 pm
#135
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
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