Wild caught king salmon, or chinook salmon is known for its luxurious texture and flavor that make it one of the most sought after species of fish. This variety of salmon is prized by many as being the most delicious, set apart by its rich oil content compared with other species of salmon. Although the flesh is not known for being as red as sockeye salmon, king salmon is typically still quite deep and vibrant in color. Unless you’re from Alaska or the Pacific Northwest, you may have never heard of ivory king salmon. This unique and rare type of fish is considered to be even more desirable than regularly pigmented king salmon.

Also Read: Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon: A Gem Of The Ocean

If you’ve ever wondered where salmon get their red flesh, it’s actually a result of their diet. These fish mainly eat plankton and krill, a type of small shrimp abundant in the Pacific ocean. The carotenoids from these organisms are metabolised by the salmon which results in the red or pink color of the flesh. It’s for this very same reason that flamingos are pink. There are a few theories about where ivory salmon come from, and one is that there are a small number of king salmon that are genetically predisposed to being unable to metabolise carotenoids. Without this pigment, their flesh is much lighter in color. For some fish that have only a limited ability to digest carotenoids, a marbled or in-between pinkish color is achieved.

Some fishermen insist that ivory salmon are a unique species from other king salmon. And there are others that say they can only be found in particular areas off the coast of Alaska. There was a study done on these special fish that found them to be a genetic mutation from other king salmon - and interestingly, kings are the only species of salmon that have been found to have an ivory counterpart. There’s no way to determine whether a king salmon has ivory flesh or red flesh until it’s cut into to bleed the fish.

Also Read: Teriyaki Glazed Wild Caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon

Experientially, ivory king salmon is more than just lightly pigmented king salmon - there is a subtle yet undeniable difference in taste and texture that makes this rare fish a true delicacy. Ivory salmon is especially buttery, with a softer and silkier flesh than typical king salmon. The flavor is slightly more delicate, reminiscent of other white fish like sea bass or black cod. There was once a time when people thought ivory salmon to be of lesser quality than red fleshed king salmon, simply because it’s what they were used to seeing. However, nowadays ivory salmon sells for significantly more than regular king salmon and is highly sought after by restaurants.

Wild Caught Salmon From Fishermen We Know By Name

All of our fish are caught using a hook and fishing line. They never go through the machinery that salmon canneries use, which negatively affects the taste and texture of the fish. Most commercially caught fish also sit around on the boat before being bled out, which negatively affects the taste and quality of the meat. These salmon are bled right away on the boat, resulting in the most premium and flavorful salmon you can get. They’re then pressure sealed and flash frozen at the peak of freshness.

Also Read: Our New Offerings: Pristine Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon

With these methods, having our flash frozen salmon delivered to you is actually highly preferable to buying fresh, unfrozen salmon unless you happen to be or live next door to a skilled fisherman. And even if that’s the case, the waters we source from off the Alaskan coast are some of the most pristine on the planet, making it very unlikely to find better fish anywhere else.

Don’t Hesitate To Reach Out To Our Team

At Beck & Bulow, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. We’re always here to help if you have any questions regarding your meat, want help making selections, or are just looking for some cooking tips. Every time you call our office, you’ll be directly connected with one of our team members right here in Santa Fe, New Mexico where we’re based.

Every cut of meat is pressure sealed and flash frozen immediately after butchering at the peak of freshness. We work exclusively with master butchers who make every cut with care and precision. All orders are hand packed at our Santa Fe warehouse, shipped in a reusable cooler with dry ice and delivered straight to your doorstep. Check out our selections of humanely raised chicken, elk, bison, beef, lamb, wild boar, pork and seafood.