What Is Cod? A Detailed Explanation of the Five Major Differences Between Cod and Sablefish

Cod, also known as bighead fish and bighead greenling, is a common edible fish in the northern waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is deeply loved by people for its high nutritional value and tender flesh, and in Northern Europe and the Blood Moon it enjoys the reputation of “nutritionist on the dining table,” which makes its economic value very high. So what is cod? What is the difference between it and sablefish?

1. What is cod?

1. Cod is a cold-water benthic fish of the order Gadiformes, family Gadidae, genus Gadus. Its body is elongated and slightly compressed, weighing about 1.2-3 jin. Its body has small round scales, 3 dorsal fins, and 2 anal fins. Its body color is light black, brown, or dull red, bright red, etc., among which the head and back are mostly grayish brown and have irregular markings.

2. Cod, also known as wide-mouthed fish, originated in the cold waters of the North Atlantic off Canada and the United States. It is distributed in China's Bohai Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea, and is extensively farmed in Shandong, the southern part of Sea Island, the northern part of the Yellow Sea, and the southeastern sea area, where large fishing grounds have also been established. However, cod produced in Canada, Russia, Japan, and other places are the main production areas, and they are sold throughout the country. At present, they are sold in major supermarkets across China, and the price is not very expensive.

3. Cod is a fish with scales and bones, but not many bones, making it suitable for the elderly and children to eat. At present, it is mainly divided into several types: sablefish, haddock, whiting, Alaska pollock, saithe, and Atlantic cod, and sablefish is relatively common on the market.

4. Cod is a cold-water fish with high nutritional value. It contains rich protein, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and other mineral elements, and has the effects of protecting the cardiovascular system, lowering blood sugar, enhancing immunity, resisting bacteria and reducing inflammation, and regulating blood lipids. Therefore, it is very suitable for patients with high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, high blood sugar, and diabetes.

2. What is the difference between cod and sablefish?

Difference 1, different family and genus: Cod is a cold-water benthic fish of the order Gadiformes, family Gadidae, genus Gadus; sablefish is a cold-water benthic fish of the order Scorpaeniformes, suborder Scorpaenoidei, family Anoplopomatidae, genus Anoplopoma, with the scientific name Anoplopoma fimbria. What is generally called cod on the market is actually sablefish.

Difference 2, different place of origin: Cod originated in the cold waters of the North Atlantic off Canada and the United States. It is distributed in China's Bohai Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea, and is extensively farmed in Shandong, the southern part of Sea Island, the northern part of the Yellow Sea, and the southeastern sea area; sablefish is mainly produced in Argentina, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Alaska, and other places.

Difference 3, different price: The market price of true cod is somewhat expensive, generally around 50-200 yuan per jin, and it is generally very difficult to buy the real thing; the market price of sablefish is relatively expensive, generally around 200 yuan per jin.

Difference 4, different appearance: After cod is frozen, its flesh is relatively soft and the meat color looks very clear; after sablefish is frozen, its flesh is relatively hard and the meat color is dull.

Difference 5, different taste: After cod is steamed, it appears in garlic clove-like segments and easily falls apart. After being pan-fried, it tastes very greasy and has a meaty aroma. If it is boiled, the taste is very poor and the flesh is very coarse; after sablefish is steamed, the flesh does not fall apart, and it smells milky. It generally melts in the mouth and is very delicate and lightly fragrant.

The above is a detailed introduction to what cod is and the differences between cod and sablefish. We hope it is helpful to everyone.