Mullet: what kind of fish and where it is found, what it looks like, benefits and contraindications
Few people know what kind of fish this is - mullet, however, this is one of the most common species in Russia and other European countries. Mullet is a valuable fish for industrial fishing and for those who like to relax with a fishing rod, due to its excellent taste and meatiness. Mullet also contains many vitamins and microelements, which makes it beneficial for human he alth.
General Description
In the Mediterranean, mullet is not as popular now as dorado and tuna meat, but it still holds its own in terms of taste and nutritional value.In fact, its meat is more tender than other species, and it is sold at an affordable price. However, due to the difficulty of removing the meat from the bones, butchered mullet carcasses are rarely sold because they require too much effort to clean. There are up to 100 types of mullet, the most popular being striped mullet and white mullet.
Mullet is caught both in the Black Sea and in the Caspian waters. This catch is then frozen and delivered to stores. When the fish reaches the market, it is thawed to a standard temperature and offered for purchase. Despite changes in temperature, the quality and taste of the meat will not be affected; if you choose a reliable supplier, there will be no risk of infection with parasites or diseases.
The mullet is an incredibly lively fish that usually swims with a group. On average, its size can vary from 38 to 89 cm, and its weight can reach 6.9 kg. Her body is elongated and arrow-shaped, slightly flattened near the head, which looks like a sharp arrow.The scales are large, bluish-gray in color with softer silvery scales on the belly and burgundy vertical stripes without a lateral line on the sides. The mullet has wide fatty eyelids that cover the eyes up to the pupils and protect them from damage.
The mouth of the mullet is small, with thin lips and a pointed edge for catching prey. Its distinct fin with a clear depression stands out. This fish feeds on soil, worms, tiny clams, crustaceans and marine plants. She is very prolific and can lay over 7,000 eggs. Spawning occurs from May to September regardless of the water environment (coastal or open water).
The life cycle of a mullet fish includes several stages, from caviar to adult.
- Caviar: Mullet eggs can be laid in open waters or in estuaries. Egg develops into a larva within a few days or weeks.
- Larva: The mullet larva swims in the upper layers of the water, feeding on zooplankton and other small food. The larva goes through several stages of development before turning into a young fish.
- Juvenile: after several stages of development, the larva becomes a young individual that lives in deep layers of water and feeds on larger fish and other invertebrates.
- Adult: When the young reach sexual maturity, they become adults and begin migrating to estuaries or the sea to mate and lay eggs.
- Death: At the end of the life cycle, the adult may die of old age or predation.
The life cycle of a mullet can vary depending on habitat conditions and other factors such as diet and presence of predators. In general, mullet fish can live up to 15 years, but most individuals usually live around 7-8 years.
History of the mullet
Mullet fish can be caught almost anywhere in the world. Most of all, she likes to be found in tropical and subtropical regions, where there is a sandy bottom and abundant vegetation.
Since ancient times, mullet has been one of the key dietary products. Not only the Romans, but also the Egyptians enjoyed eating this fish from the abundant Nile River. Fishermen regularly used this resource and returned home with a plentiful catch. In Hawaii and the Philippines, local chiefs valued the mullet so much that they ordered their people to build special ponds in order to have a constant supply of this fish for themselves.
Today, anglers, chefs, industrial traders, seafood experts and ordinary people are still hungry for mullet meat. These fish are captive bred, caught in the wild, canned, frozen and distributed for sale. Nutritionists agree: anyone who enjoys eating fish should consider adding mullet to their diet as part of their regular diet.
Composition of fish
Black Sea mullet meat is a good source of protein and many other nutrients. Here are some, based on USDA data, for 100 grams of skinless fresh mullet:
- Calories: 125 kcal.
- Proteins: 20.08g
- Fat: 4.76g (including saturated fatty acids 1.126g, monounsaturated fatty acids 1.411g, polyunsaturated fatty acids 1.414g).
- Cholesterol: 65 mg.
- Sodium: 71 mg.
- Potassium: 335 mg.
- Calcium: 23 mg.
- Iron: 0.9 mg.
- Magnesium: 31 mg.
- Phosphorus: 230 mg.
- Zinc: 0.7 mg.
- Vitamin A: 60 IU.
- Vitamin E: 0.4 mg.
- Vitamin K: 0.2 mcg.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0.047 mg.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.158mg.
- Vitamin B3 (niacin): 3.852 mg.
- Vitamin B6: 0.26 mg.
- Vitamin B12: 3.12 mcg.
Please note that the nutritional content may vary depending on how the fish is prepared and how fresh it is.
Useful properties
Delicate mullet fish not only takes thoughts to the Caspian waters, but also provides the body with a significant amount of vitamins and minerals. This seafood contains all the basic elements necessary for human growth and development: fats, proteins, as well as micro and macro elements. Vitamins are also present in this fish.
Eating mullet can have a positive effect on the strength of blood vessels. Its presence makes them more elastic and helps to avoid many medical problems. A heart attack or stroke is caused by a blockage in an artery that restricts regular blood flow, leading to dysfunction in other areas. Frequent consumption of mullet can unclog the arteries and prevent the formation or retention of blood clots, as well as lower blood pressure levels. The legends about those who eat a lot of it and rarely suffer from he alth problems are true, so it is worth including this product in your diet when planning meals.Doctors advise eating fish once or even twice a week.
Mullet is useful in any form, but most of the nutrients are retained if it is boiled, baked without oil (or with a minimum amount of it), or steamed. It is especially beneficial for the elderly and young children as their bodies require a lot of nutrients to stay he althy and repair any damage.
Mullet can be eaten as part of a he althy breakfast, lunch or dinner due to its low calorie content. Eating fish regularly can help maintain muscle mass rather than converting protein to fat, while improving overall he alth and aiding digestion and various systems such as the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
Contraindications
You should not feast on Azov mullet if a person has intolerance to its meat or any of its components, as there have been cases of severe allergic reactions.
Be sure to check the freshness of the fish and cook it properly. It is extremely important to protect yourself by ensuring a thorough cooking process. Eating stale fish can lead to food poisoning as well as other long-term severe he alth effects caused by parasites found in some types of seafood.
Application
Mullet is a tender-fleshed fish that is considered a premium food variety. Her bones are of impressive size, not too small to easily clean her. It can be prepared in many ways - soups, baking with spices, meatballs and much more. You can usually find smoked or canned mullet in stores (in oil or tomato sauce), but it can also be available in dried and s alted form.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionIn addition to white meat, gourmets appreciate the caviar of this fish, as well as its abdominal fat deposits - fat from which you can cook an independent aromatic dish paired with white wine sauce and onions, as well as fish broth.Mullet can be fried in hot oil until a crispy coating of breadcrumbs forms. It is an ideal ingredient for casseroles with porcini mushrooms. It can also be smoked or cooked over an open fire. With so many cooking methods available, this versatile fish is hard to mess up and pairs well with a variety of other ingredients.
Recommendations for choosing a mullet
Buy fish that has been frozen immediately after being caught. The blast freezing process will preserve the highest quality of the product. Examine the packaging for any markings indicating when and how it was frozen. If you deal directly with the supplier, ask for documents confirming the timing of the catch and freshness.
The biggest benefits come from eating fish caught in the Caspian/Black Sea in the spring or late fall. Meat has the greatest nutritional value for only two days, since after that the nutritional value decreases. If the merchant manages to sell all his product during this time and the consumer immediately eats it, he will only receive benefits and improve he alth.
No one wants to consume a product that looks disgusting. Choose fish that are undamaged, have smooth and shiny scales, and are of normal shape and size. The scales should fit snugly to the body of the fish, sparkle in the sun and have an attractive silvery sheen. Discoloration, unevenness and wounds are unacceptable. Refuse to buy a defective fish carcass and look for a more reliable seller.
When buying a mullet, pay attention to its eyeballs - they should be convex and clear with a visible black pupil.If the fish is not the first freshness, its eyes will look cloudy, swollen and glassy. To test for freshness, press lightly on the body and watch how quickly it returns to its original shape. If the dent remains and does not straighten out, this is a sign that the product is expired.
Mullet fish is a commercially important species of fish that is caught in various regions of the world, including the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Atlantic and others. There are several methods of catching mullet fish that are used by fishermen:
- Net fishing: this is the most common way to catch mullet. Mullet nets come in a variety of sizes and shapes, but the most common are round nets (so-called "round nets" ) and angle nets. The fishermen put the net into the water and wait for the fish to fall into it.
- Rod fishing: This is a method of fishing for mullet with a fishing rod. Fishermen use rods of various lengths and strengths, as well as various baits (live or artificial) to attract fish to the rod.
- Trawling: This is a method of catching mullet using a special vessel that pulls a net a long distance from the shore. The fish are caught in the net and then transferred to the ship.
- Sturgeon bait fishing: this is a fishing method in which a cut piece of sturgeon is strung on a hook, which attracts mullet.
Depending on the region and conditions, fishermen may use different fishing methods. In any case, it is important to follow the rules and laws governing fishing in order to conserve fish stocks and maintain a sustainable water ecosystem.
