Did you know that tilapia is the fourth most consumed seafood in the United States? This is because it is affordable, easily accessible, and very versatile.
But what does tilapia taste like? Scroll down to the following sections to find out!
What is Tilapia?
Tilapia is probably the most common cultured fish in the whole world, just falling behind catfish and salmon in the United States. It is a tropical fish belonging to the fish family called Cichlidae, more commonly known as cichlids.
You might be familiar with the term cichlids since the tilapia’s cousins, the African or Oscars cichlids are common fishes you will see at a pet store. The term “tilapia” is actually used to refer to several species of freshwater cichlids.
The wild variety of tilapia is native to Africa. However, this fish has already been introduced all around the world and is currently farmed in more than 135 countries.
What makes tilapia an ideal fish for farming is that it does not require much space, it grows fast, and only consumes a cheap omnivorous diet consisting of plants, plankton, and bugs.
This also reduces the harm caused to the environment even if they are raised intensively. All of these qualities contribute to it being such a prevalent and relatively cheaper product compared to most other kinds of seafood.
Today, China produces a significantly larger quantity of tilapia than any other country. In fact, they produce more than 1.6 million metric tons per year and also provide the bulk of the tilapia supply and imports in the United States.
However, many reports raise questions regarding tilapia farming practices. Scientific studies have also emphasized several concerns about the fat content of this particular fish. It’s worth noting, however, that the dangers and benefits of tilapia consumption largely depends on the differences in farming practices, which vary from region to region.
What Does Tilapia Taste Like?
Many people, especially those who live in the United States, like tilapia not just because it is affordable but also because it does not have a very fishy taste or characteristic to it. Generally, its lean, white flesh has a neutral or mild flavor, almost actually not having a distinct flavor of its own.
While some people find tilapia quite boring or unappealing, its mild to no taste actually opens a lot of doors for flavor experimentation. It also makes it a versatile addition to or the star in many dishes!
Sometimes, however, due to farming practices and diet, tilapia can take on a musty, dirty, earthy, or petrichor-like flavor. Many attribute this from the feeds, but there is little evidence that the feed imparts the flavor. Both in the wild and fish farms, the chemicals in the surrounding water can also affect the flavor of tilapia’s flesh.
There are precisely two chemicals known to implicate a muddy or earthy taste in farmed fish: 2-methyl-isoborneol (MIB) and geosmin. These chemicals are a result of the growth of microorganisms in the water, specifically a group of microorganisms called cyanobacteria.
Studies have shown the relationship between cyanobacteria blooms with the presence and intensity of the traces of the earthy smell. The case has also been found to vary seasonally. For example, the earthy taste is more prevalent during the summer or in warmer months when many species of phytoplankton, including cyanobacteria, are found to produce the most amounts of MIB, geosmin, or both.
How to Prepare Tilapia
Usually, a tilapia will weigh anywhere between 1 to 2 pounds. You will almost always find it in the frozen section as skinless fillets. In markets and Asian restaurants, you might also find live tilapia swimming in tanks. Either way, there are many ways to prepare tilapia and make it taste better.
Tilapia has a delicate, white flesh, so it is best prepared by broiling, baking, steaming, or frying. It is not to be eaten raw and is only suitable to be grilled if you get a hold of a wild, whole fish.
Here are some of the best ways to prepare tilapia along with tips and tricks to improve its flavor:
- Tilapia is a blank slate for any recipe, so it is a perfect partner to dish elements that you want to shine. For example, you can cook it with steamed vegetables, serve it with a killer sauce, or use it to brag about a great salsa recipe.
- Tilapia also works excellent with Asian flavors and cooking styles. You can fry it until crispy then serve it with a sweet and sour or spicy sauce. It is also unusual in fish tacos.
- If you still find tilapia to be fishy or with an off-putting flavor, adding a few slices of ginger as you cook the fish can help neutralize the taste.
- Since geosmin, the compound that gives tilapia an earthy flavor, has an alkaline nature, you can also use strong acids like vinegar or lemon juice to break it down and reduce or remove the taste and smell.
- Another way to mask the musky flavors of tilapia is by sauteeing it with onions, garlic, some herbs, and green or red bell peppers or spicy peppers. Cook the vegetables until soft, add the tilapia, and then put a little chicken or fish stock or some white wine. Simmer everything down until the fish is cooked through. Finally, top it off with some more herbs and maybe even some olives.
Final Thoughts
Tilapia is a commonly eaten, inexpensive fish that is great for a wide range of recipes and cooking styles. To answer the question, “What does tilapia taste like?”, well, it does not taste like much and has a rather neutral flavor.
Because of this, tilapia is a very versatile type of seafood and is an excellent way to feed a family on a tight budget. In case you come across tilapia with a bad earthy flavor, there are also easy and practical ways to make it taste better!
While it is not the best option for seafood, you should give tilapia a try and who knows, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you can do with it!