Salmon Types: Goosecross Napa Valley Family Winery

King (Chinook)

King (Chinook) » order

Chinook or King salmon are the largest salmon on earth. The largest on record is 126 pounds, with the average size in the 20-35 pound range. They have the highest fat content of all the salmon. This gives the meat a luscious rich flavor and velvety texture, a delightful complement to its' deep red to orange color.

Chinook range between Southern California to Kotzebue sound in the Bering sea, Alaska down to northern Japan. They migrate farther than any of the other salmon species - in some instances covering thousands of miles. A photograph does not do justice to the strength and magnificence of this fish. Best viewed in person.

Coho

Coho » order

Coho or Silver Salmon have a meat color ranging from pink to a deep reddish-orange. The flesh of wild Coho is more deeply colored than that of the farmed fish. It has a large flakey texture and a rich, smooth flavor. Wild Coho tend to be leaner than Chinook or Sockeye.

Coho inhabit the waters off the northwest coast of the U.S., British Columbia and Alaska. They can reach sizes of up to 25 pounds but typically range between 5-15 pounds.

This particular Coho has developed a hooked nose with teeth used for doing battle during spawning.

Pacific (Keta)

Pacific (Keta) » order

Pacific Keta Salmon or Chum Salmon - in general - have a meat color that is paler than that of other salmon, although Keta of the northern river systems of Alaska may have dark red meat. The oil content of Keta is not as high as either Sockeye or Chinook. The lower oil content makes this salmon ideal for someone who may not necessarily want as bold a flavor as found in the other salmon species.

Keta are similiar in size to Coho weighing on average 8 - 12 pounds. They carry distinctive characteristics from their native river systems. Some experienced fishermen can tell which river system a Keta is returning to by looking at the markings on a particular fish.

Sockeye

Sockeye » order

Sockeye, also known as Reds for their distinctive bright red meat color and deep red skin color during spawning, are a medium size salmon ranging from 5-10 pounds. Their oil content is very high-only slightly lower than that of Chinook, which gives the meat a nice rich flavor. The texture is firm with smaller flake than Chinook or Coho. Nowhere on earth are Sockeye as plentiful as Bristol Bay in Western Alaska.

Millions of the fish pass through this bay every July on their way to the head waters of their spawning streams. They range from Washington to Alaska. Sockeye and Pacific Keta Salmon are very similiar in appearance and are easily confused by greenhorns (a person new to the commercial fishing trade).

This photo shows the unique deep red skin color of Sockeye salmon during spawning. This is caused by prolonged contact with fresh water.

Goosecross Cellars
We're in Yountville... "The Heart" of Napa Valley
1119 State Lane, Yountville, CA 94599 * 707.944.1986
Open - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily - (800) 276-9210

Goosecross®, Goosecreek®, State Lane®, Napa Valley Wine Radio®, NVWR®,
Goosecross University™, AmerItal® and ÆROS® are registered trademarks in use by Goosecross Cellars, a California Corporation.
Copyright © 1985-2008 Goosecross Cellars, all rights reserved. (800) 276-9210 or (707) 944-1986