Why Choose Charr?
- July 29, 2024
As the northernmost freshwater fish in the world, Arctic Charr has been a common favourite in countries like Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Norway for centuries because of its wonderful flavour and nutritional value. Yet for years, cooks in other parts of the world have been largely unfamiliar with the fish because of its limited availability. However, Sapphire Springs is changing that with its new 5,000 metric-tonne facility and a plan to double the global supply of Arctic Charr.
Recognized as a sustainable option with a delicate flavour, Arctic Charr has hooked a spot on the shelves of high-end retailers in North America and is steadily appearing on the ‘good menus’ of experienced chefs in culinary circles around the world (Food Network’s Alton Brown even cites it as one of his favourite fish to eat). So, what do the in-the-know eaters love about Arctic Charr?
Once operational, the new Sapphire Springs facility will provide high quality, nutritious and sustainably raised Arctic Charr. The initial focus is on supplying the North American market and the company has a vision to build additional facilities on the east and west coasts of Canada.
After purchasing the former Department of Fisheries and Oceans research facility and all its assets in Rockwood, Manitoba, Sapphire Springs began assembling a management team of experts experienced in building and operating aquaculture operations. We believe this is an incredible opportunity to really build a specific market niche with a premium product. Arctic Charr is difficult to access in North America due to the existing fisheries being very small. We intend to expand the category that already has fantastic pent-up demand.
Arctic Charr is a member of the salmonid family. It has a similar colour and texture to popular species such as salmon and steelhead trout but has a more subtle flavour. It is coveted by chefs for a wide range of uses, from sushi to grilling.
Arctic Charr is a species particularly well-suited to being raised indoors. The species is one of the few in the world that can live in either salt or freshwater. It also is a species that schools in mass numbers, so the fish are accustomed to being in close quarters, making the tanks at Sapphire Springs a safe and ideal home for them to flourish in.
The new facility is situated above a pristine glacial aquifer that runs beneath the Canadian Shield. Sapphire Springs draws its water from this aquifer, recycling 99 per cent of it through each growing cycle. Sapphire is committed to ensuring this facility will be as sustainable as possible. The product will be sold through distributors to restaurants and stores, while the co-products will be upscaled as animal feed or fertilizer.
Delicate Flavour, Serious Nutrition
The first thing is flavour. Arctic Charr is a subtle, elegant fish distinctly different to other choices on the market. Its fat content gives it a rich flavour that is sophisticated and memorable. It has a thin skin which is easy to crisp, making it a perfect fish to pan-sear. With a bright orange hue, it’s flaky and buttery. This makes for a beautiful, mild fish that pairs well with other fresh ingredients and impresses with its simplicity. It also means Arctic Charr is a great choice for sushi; many chefs are using it in their rolls because of its high fat content, beautiful orange colour, and flavour.
The second reason Arctic Charr stands out is because of its nutritional punch. Arctic Charr is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and delivers over 20 grams of protein in a single serving size (100 grams). Its skin is rich in calcium and its fat content helps the fish stay moist when cooked – this means its more forgiving and it won’t dry out or toughen up as easily when you cook it at home. Because of this, Arctic Charr is incredibly versatile and works well for many modes of preparation: summer barbequing, baking, smoking, and poaching are all great options when working with Arctic Charr. A simple cooking method such as grilling or pan-searing will let the fish’s delicate flavour shine.
Aquaculture Protects our Oceans
Then, there’s the sustainability aspect. Arctic Charr can be raised comfortably and efficiently in aquaculture facilities, which protects the species from overfishing. Because the fish school in mass numbers, Arctic Charr are instinctively comfortable with being close to other fish, making them extremely well-suited to being raised indoors in tanks. They also thrive in cold, freshwater conditions, which are easy to achieve in our modern facility.
Sustainable and ethical fisheries are a great way to source seafood. According to the Marine Stewardship Council, overfishing has been steadily increasing in recent years, and over 37 per cent of fish stocks monitored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are overfished.
Overfishing has a wide range of interconnected consequences, including job loss, food insecurity, a loss of biodiversity, and ocean pollution. However, by making smart swaps to incorporate fish raised in sustainable aquaculture facilities, consumers can protect ocean biodiversity and support what the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is labelling the world’s fastest growing food sector.
In the world of cooking, there will always be versatile heroes – trusted ingredients that can be prepared in endless iterations and always end up hitting the mark. For seafood lovers, a mild, flaky, and sustainably raised fish like Arctic Charr is the ideal clean-slate protein that can be grilled, baked, seared, and smoked to consistent perfection.