What Is Salmon Roe?

Have you ever wondered about those glistening, jewel-like eggs often served alongside sushi or elegant hors d'oeuvres? Those delightful little bursts of flavor are salmon roe, also known as Ikura, a delightful delicacy from the sea.

Prized for its vibrant color, unique texture, and unmistakable taste, salmon roe has been captivating food enthusiasts for centuries. If you're curious about this exquisite treat and how it differs from caviar, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about salmon roe and explore why you should regularly enjoy it as you would caviar.

Key Facts About Salmon

Salmon is the common name for several fish species. With one species of Atlantic salmon and seven species of Pacific salmon swimming around, it's no wonder this is a highly popular fish for eating. 

Like many fish species, salmon come in a variety of sizes depending on where they live. The largest is the Chinook salmon, a Pacific species known as “King Salmon” because it can grow up to 4.9 feet long and weigh nearly 130 pounds. 

While we often associate salmon with the pink color of their insides, they aren't all pink on the outside. Salmon species come in a beautiful array of colors, as saltwater and freshwater both influence the color a fish turns. When migrating to freshwater, Pacific salmon go from silver to black or maroon. Atlantic salmon also turn silver in saltwater but are typically spotted and brown in freshwater. 

Salmon, like trout and char, are anadromous fish. Simply put, they are born in freshwater, migrate to the ocean, and then return to freshwater to spawn. After spawning, most Pacific salmon die, but some female Atlantic salmon survive and return to the ocean. 

Pacific salmon are considered keystone species in their ecosystem. They are critical to the transfer of nutrients from the ocean to freshwater and terrestrial environments when they return to spawn. Their carcasses provide food for bears, eagles, and other wildlife, and the nutrients released fertilize the surrounding vegetation. These characteristics make salmon essential for maintaining the health and productivity of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Salmon is the most popular fish and the second most consumed seafood in the United States, with Americans enjoying 3.22 pounds per capita. This massive consumption of fish has put the species at risk, which is why many groups, like Imperia Caviar, have turned to more sustainable farming practices to improve the harvesting process for consumers and the environment. 

Salmon Roe Characteristics

What makes salmon roe stand out from the crowd? Let's dive into its unique features.

How Does Salmon Roe Look?

Salmon roe ranges in color from a deep red-orange to a lighter yellow-orange. Egg color is influenced by many factors, including species, water temperature, age, sediment type, and more. Salmon roe mainly gets its color from carotenoids in the fish's diet. 

Salmon roe size can also vary greatly. Larger roe can average almost ½-inch in size, while the smaller sizes average around ¼-inch. The highest grades of salmon roe will usually feature larger pearls with vibrant, deep red hues. Salmon roe isn't completely transparent or opaque — it falls somewhere in between. 

What Does Salmon Roe Taste Like?

Like all caviar and roe, salmon roe has a salty, slightly fishy taste that might catch you off guard at first. Once you're used to the initial taste of salmon roe, you'll discover a bitterness combined with a subtle, sweet flavor. The eggs have a slippery, creamy texture that pairs well with soft cheeses. 

Salmon roe is a somewhat unique roe flavor-wise. Its bitterness is balanced by the natural taste of salmon, bringing out the salty sweetness of the sea with every bite. The bitterness might be a bit much for some super tasters, but it's a one-of-a-kind roe that you can learn to love. 

How Nutritious Is Salmon Roe?

Salmon roe is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. It is high in vitamin A, which has excellent antioxidant effects, making it essential for supporting eye health. Salmon roe is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for heart health, and calcium, which is vital for bone support. 

Eating salmon roe is a delicious way to boost your levels of these important nutrients for a healthier, stronger body. 

How Much Does Salmon Roe Cost?

The price of salmon roe varies based on the species and quantity. You can find options ranging from $20 to $150 per jar. Roe from rare species like Atlantic salmon will be on the higher end of that range.

Is Salmon Roe Considered Caviar?

While many restaurants and vendors label their roe as caviar, salmon roe and caviar are two distinct products. Roe is the term for the ripe and ready egg masses of fish, squid, scallops, and sea urchins. While all raw, unfertilized fish eggs are considered roe, only particular roe is considered caviar. 

Here are the key differences between salmon roe and caviar:

• Source: Salmon roe comes from various species of salmon, such as Chinook, Sockeye, Coho, and Pink salmon. Caviar is the term for roe specifically from sturgeon fish in the Acipenseridae family.
• Processing: Salmon roe is typically cured in salt for a short period, sometimes only a few days. It may be treated with a light salt brine or soy sauce to help with the initial bitter taste. Caviar is salt-cured and aged for several weeks to months to develop its unique flavor and texture.
• Color: Salmon roe is typically a vibrant reddish-orange color, with some variation between species. Caviar will look golden brown, gray, or black depending on the specific sturgeon species.
• Size: Sturgeon caviar eggs are generally smaller than salmon roe. Salmon roe can measure up to ½-inch. 
• Flavor and texture: Salmon roe has a pronounced fishy taste, with a burst of saltiness and a slightly firmer texture. Caviar has a more delicate flavor profile. It is often described as buttery, nutty, or slightly sweet, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Cost: A lot of salmon roe is offered at lower price points, as salmon is a more abundant fish and the processing of its roe is less time-consuming. However, some roe from species like Atlantic salmon will have higher costs due to a more limited supply. Caviar is more expensive because its production is highly labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. Additionally, several Acipenseridae sturgeon species have become extinct, so caviar farmers follow specific aquaculture techniques and regulations to ensure caviar can be sourced responsibly and sustainably.

Salmon roe isn't considered caviar, but it's a delicious food nonetheless. With several salmon species to choose from, there's a good variety of salmon roe available for consumers to try.

How to Get Excellent Salmon Roe

Like most roes and caviar, high-quality salmon roe is challenging to get in stores. It's a specialty item, so you'll probably have to order it online. The best way to find a salmon roe you enjoy is by taste-testing a few different brands. Look around online and sample salmon roe from several brands at various price points to find your favorite. 

Discover Delicious Caviar at Imperia Caviar

If you enjoy salmon roe, take your taste buds on an adventure with premium salmon roe from Imperia Caviar. We also offer the highest quality caviar, including Royal Ossetra, Kaluga Hybrid Reserve, and more.

Taste the difference for yourself. Shop our premium selection online today, or visit our store in Los Angeles at Westfield Mall.