The salmon was the primary food source of Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest coast for thousands of years. They are highly respected animals and there are many stories about their origins. Some native peoples believe that the salmon are immortal humans who live deep under the ocean.

They would disguise themselves as fish to offer nourishment to the mortal humans living on the land. After eating the salmon the people would place the whole skeleton back into the water so that it would be born once more into an immortal salmon person. The salmon is known as a symbol of abundance, fertility, prosperity and renewal.

Also Read: Recipe: How To Pan Sear Sea Scallops To Perfection

Salmon Have A Fascinating Life Cycle

Salmon are a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. These fish are a key food source for bears, otters and birds. Salmon lay their eggs in freshwater streams, and most species grow to spend most of their later lives in saltwater. The baby salmon are called fry and they grow into young fish called parr with vertical stripes on their bodies for camouflage.

They spend about six months to three years in this stage, staying in the fresh waters, until their stripes go away and they become smolts. This is the stage where their body chemistry changes and they are able to live in saltwater. They spend between one and five years living in the open ocean until they reach sexual maturity.

This is when they return to the very same waters they were born in to spawn. All salmon travel upstream for this phase of their life. Right before spawning, the salmon experience physical changes like growing a hump, a curved jaw or developing canine-like teeth. During and after spawning their bodies quickly deteriorate and most die soon after.

Also Read: Wild Caught Cape Cod Sea Scallops: Our Latest Offering

Sockeye: The Most Prized Among Salmon

Sockeye salmon are also called red or blueback salmon. They’re the smallest of the seven species found in the Pacific Ocean. They are prized above all other varieties for their succulent, vibrantly colored flesh. The sockeye get their color from the orange krill they consume in the ocean.

They weigh anywhere from five to fifteen pounds and can reach 24-33 inches in length. The name sockeye is actually just a mistranslation of the Salish Coast term suk-kegh, meaning “red fish”. They are one of the most abundant species of Pacific salmon. Salmon is loved by many for its versatility and flavorful, meaty flesh. The satisfying taste and texture of this fish lends itself to simple preparations.

There’s endless options for cooking salmon to create delicious meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s quick and easy, making salmon a great choice for busy days. Salmon is prized for its rich yet mild flavor and beautiful, reddish pink flesh. Our salmon is of the sockeye variety which is known for being darker and redder in color.

Also Read: Why The Desire To Eat Meat Is So Ingrained In Humans

Oily fish such as salmon have a reputation for being a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. This essential fat is known for boosting brain health - in fact, it’s literally one of the building blocks of brain tissue. Our bodies are unable to synthesize it, so omega-3’s must be obtained through food sources.

These unique fats are also known to support a healthy heart, joints and general wellness. Wild caught salmon are also an excellent source of B vitamins, antioxidants and minerals including potassium and selenium.

Wild Caught Vs Farmed

As with all fish, it’s very important to choose wild caught salmon over farmed. Farmed salmon are fed processed fish feed and exposed to large amounts of antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals. Their nutritional value is vastly different from wild salmon.

Farmed salmon contains much higher levels of fat (about three times as much) especially omega-6 fatty acids which most Americans already consume far too many of. It has 46% more calories, most of which are from fat. It’s also quite deficient in vitamins and minerals compared with wild caught salmon.

Also Read: Tips For Transitioning Away From Vegetarianism

Our sockeye salmon are 100% wild and never given any additives or antibiotics. They come from the pristine, cold waters of the Pacific off the coast of Alaska. This area has the greatest resources of wild salmon in the world. Our fishery is carefully managed for sustainability and returns tens of millions of salmon to these waters each year.

We’re Excited To Offer Quality Seafood

We’re excited to offer this delicious salmon, along with wild caught sea scallops to satisfy the many requests we’ve received to carry seafood. As always, we’re committed to quality, ethical sourcing and the most outstanding flavor. If you’re in the market for some meat that comes from the land, check out our selections of bison, elk, wild boar, lamb, grass fed beef and chicken. All of our products are packaged by hand in our Santa Fe warehouse and delivered straight to your door, in a reusable cooler with dry ice for optimal freshness.