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This Spotlight is sponsored by the Norwegian Seafood Council.

When it comes to shopping for fish in the grocer, Norwegian Salmon is one of the most popular options.

But for discerning seafood lovers, the Norwegian Fjord Trout looks similar to Norwegian Salmon, yet has a different flavour profile that's equally as enjoyable, if not tastier.

Image via Norwegian Seafood Council

In case you didn’t know, Norwegian Fjord Trout — while remarkably similar in appearance to Norwegian Salmon — is in a group of fish that’s entirely separate. Although it lies within the same family as salmon, there are several things that make Norwegian Fjord Trout a premium and highly demanded option among fish with red-tinged meat.

Unlike salmon, Norwegian Fjord Trout doesn't have as huge a reputation due to its much more limited supply. In comparison with Norway’s booming salmon production (average 1.5 million tonnes a year), Norwegian Fjord Trout only makes up around 5% of that total number (75,000 tonnes), making it a highly exclusive fish.

But what you may not know is that Norwegian Fjord Trout (also known as rainbow trout) is expertly cultured using world-renowned Norwegian fish farming methods that meet the highest standards for environmental sustainability.

Farmed in cold Norwegian fjords, these fish grow in large pens anchored to the ocean floor. Thanks to Norway’s long coastline and dedication to sustainable seafood, Norwegian Fjord Trout is the only high-quality trout available fresh all year, making it an exclusive product prized by chefs and restaurants globally.

Since both Norwegian Salmon and Norwegian Fjord Trout look similar, it's sometimes easy to mistake one for the other

A salmon fillet (left) and a Norwegian Fjord Trout fillet (right).

Image via Norwegian Seafood Council

Fully-grown Norwegian Fjord Trout typically weigh between 2kg to 5kg, and are just a little bit smaller than adult Norwegian Salmon (3kg to 6kg). Although they share the same silvery skin, Norwegian Salmon typically has more black spots near its face.Norwegian Fjord Trout meat has a deep red-orange colour with white marbling that is similar to salmon, although the Norwegian Fjord Trout's meat usually has a comparatively deeper and fuller colour.The most distinct difference between salmon and Norwegian Fjord Trout is their flavour profiles. Norwegian Fjord Trout has a rich flavour with a clear aftertaste that comes across as luxurious — this is because the fish has fat all around its body, especially concentrated in the belly. At the same time, the high activity levels of Norwegian Fjord Trout make its meat robust, which — along with its high fat amount — lends to a great mouth feel.And while Norwegian Salmon has a distinct smoothness, consumers will notice that Norwegian Fjord Trout is firmer, with a heartier mouth feel. Another plus is that Norwegian Fjord Trout does not have the earthy (almost muddy) taste that you find with river trout, and the overall flavour profile resembles the sweet ocean flavour of shellfish or crabs.



Of course, Norwegian Fjord Trout is also a healthy fish option with the following nutrients:

Norwegian Fjord Trout sashimi with ponzu sauce.

Image via Norwegian Seafood Council

- Omega-3 fatty acids effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and aid brain health.- Vitamin D helps keep your heart and bones in good shape while also offering benefits such as healthy blood sugar levels and a sharper mind.- Protein is the basic component of antibodies, hormones, enzymes, and provides support for your body's tissues and organs. - Selenium helps remove free radicals from your body, and reduces the deposits of harmful substances in your blood vessels.

If you want to try Norwegian Fjord Trout for yourself, you can visit any major supermarket near you.

You can also find out more about Norwegian Fjord Trout here.