When it comes to smoked kippers, there is one name that stands above the rest - Craster kippers. These kippers are hailed as the best British kippers and are synonymous with the Northumberland fishing village of Craster.
The Craster Kipper: A British Food Icon
Similar to the Newmarket sausage or the Stornoway black pudding, the Craster kipper is a beloved British food that is named after its place of origin. While the herrings used for Craster kippers may not always be strictly local, the smoking process still takes place in the smokehouses located in or around the village of Craster.
Clarissa Dickson Wright, a renowned British chef, has even named Craster as the birthplace of the kipper. However, there is some dispute over this claim, as other places like Seahouses also lay claim to this distinction.
Preparation and Characteristics
The preparation of Craster kippers is a long-standing tradition carried on by L. Robson & Sons, the only company currently producing them in Craster. The process begins with carefully selected raw North Sea herring, known locally as silver darlings. These fish are split, gutted, washed, and then soaked in brine before being taken to the smokehouse.
At the smokehouse, the herring is cured over smouldering oak and white wood shavings for a duration of sixteen hours. The smokehouse itself is a distinctive stone building with wooden vents in the roof, from which white plumes of smoke often pour out.
Craster kippers have a unique appearance, with the head of the fish preserved. Unlike some other kippers that are dyed using annatto, the natural colors of the Craster kipper's skin are tanned golden by the oak smoke. The flesh of the kipper has a distinctive reddish-brown color.
Gastronomic Delight
The Craster kipper is widely regarded as a gastronomic delight. Comparing it to a common commercially processed kipper is like comparing a fillet steak with a cheap burger. On the tongue, the Craster kipper is as delicate and sophisticated as the finest smoked salmon in the world, yet it costs only a fraction of the price.
Many consider Craster kippers to be the best, although other British kippers like Loch Fyne kippers have also been praised. The rich flavor and unique smoking process truly set the Craster kipper apart.
Are Smoked Kippers Good for You?
Aside from their delicious taste, smoked kippers also offer health benefits. They are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential building blocks for the fetal nervous system and contribute to heart health.
During pregnancy, it is recommended that women consume no more than two portions of oily fish per week. While smoked kippers are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, it's important to be mindful of the potential higher levels of pollutants found in oily fish.
Order Craster Kippers Online
If you're craving the best smoked kippers, you can conveniently order Craster kippers online. L. Robson & Sons have been delivering their delicious smoked kippers by mail order to all parts of the UK for many years. Experience the iconic taste of Craster kippers delivered right to your door.
- What makes Craster kippers the best?
- Where can I buy Craster kippers?
- Are smoked kippers healthy?
- Can I eat smoked kippers during pregnancy?
Craster kippers are truly the epitome of the best smoked kippers. Their unique smoking process, rich flavor, and association with the historic fishing village of Craster make them a beloved British delicacy. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Craster kippers are a gastronomic delight that should not be missed.
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