Fish paste

Fish Paste

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A bowl of fish paste.

Type	Condiment or seasoning
Main Ingredients	Fish or shellfish, possibly seasonings
Consistency	Soft creamy purée or paste
Comparison	Fish sauce

Fish paste is a culinary preparation consisting of fish or shellfish that has been transformed into a creamy purée or paste. This transformation can either be a result of chemical decomposition through a fermentation process or through physical methods like pounding, grinding, pressing, mincing, blending, or sieving. Fish paste is often utilized as a seasoning or condiment to enhance the flavor of dishes.

Making fish paste in Cambodia

Leftover fish paste in a box (Poznan)

Preparation Methods

There are two primary methods for creating fish paste:

• Fermentation: In this method, fish is subjected to a fermentation process, where it undergoes chemical decomposition until it achieves a soft, creamy consistency.
• Physical Processing: Here, the cooked fish is manually or mechanically transformed using processes such as pounding, grinding, or blending, among others, until it forms a paste. This term can also be extended to describe similar pastes made from shellfish, including shrimp and crab.

Uses in Cuisine

Fish paste serves as a vital ingredient in many culinary traditions around the world. Its primary purpose is to enrich dishes with its intense flavor. Because it is typically cooked down to a concentrated form, even a small amount can significantly impact a dish's overall taste. Some chefs use it as a base for various sauces or integrate it into dishes to achieve a deeper seafood flavor.

Comparison to Fish Sauce

Fish paste can be likened to fish sauce in its purpose to augment flavors in food. However, there are notable differences between the two:

• Consistency: While fish paste is typically thick with a creamy or pasty texture, fish sauce is a dense liquid.
• Cooking Duration: Fish paste is generally cooked for an extended period to reach its thick consistency, while fish sauce has a shorter cooking duration.
• Additional Ingredients: Fish sauce might incorporate various seasonings and flavorings, which aren't always present in fish paste.

Traditional Fish Pastes

Fish pastes are an integral part of many global cuisines, offering depth of flavor, richness, and unique textures. They can be broadly categorized into two types: fermented and physically processed. Here's a detailed overview of some traditional fish pastes from various regions.

Fermented Fish Pastes

Fermentation is an ancient culinary technique that's been employed by numerous cultures to preserve fish. Over time, this process has resulted in the creation of distinctive flavor profiles unique to each region.

Traditional fish pastes, whether fermented or physically processed, offer a world of flavors and textures. Each one has a unique history and tradition that reflects the culinary richness of the region it originates from.

Animals

Adult penguins crush and process fish into a paste which is stored in their throat pouch, and then fed to baby penguins.

See also

• Fish sauce
• Shrimp paste
• Crab paste
• Fermentation (food)
• Fish sauce
• List of fish sauces
• List of condiments