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.

Copper River Salmon Costco, Indianapolis $14.95 pound..

Boston area sockeye CRS, $24.99/lb from whole foods. Ate it last night, wasn't blown away.

Me neither. doesn't taste much different vs king salmon

Everything you said was true except the freshest fish still comes from distributors local to the area and then sent by air. And not frozen.

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.

Try a fresh seafood store that gets it shipped on ice rather than frozen. Boston is loaded with them. Fresh seafood/shellfish gets shipped in from everywhere. Lobsters, tuna and swordfish primarily go out of Boston everyday and a whole lot of other goodies fly in.

:td: to previously frozen "fresh" seafood.

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.

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..........

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.

It is copper river season again :)

Copper River King Salmon now at Santa Monica Seafood for $59.99 a pound. Just arrived yesterday.`

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.

$14.99/lb in ANC

I have a 10% discount on any purchase good through Memorial Day. I will not have an opportunity to use it. You are welcome to it; just check in using my mobile number.

Thanks. I use my mobile number when checking in and now have enough points for a $40 discount:)