Cod

Scientific name: Gadus morhua; G. macrocephalus
Market names:  Cod; cod or Alaska cod
Common names:  Atlantic cod; Pacific cod (or P-cod), true cod, gray cod

The Cod Story

Cod, considered the “default setting from which all other fish species vary,” belongs to the Gadidae family, also comprising haddock, pollock, hake and hoki. Cod sports a distinctive barbel beneath its chin; at its other end is a broom-shaped tail. Atlantic cod is harvested with bottom trawls, gillnets, longlines and hook and lline on both sides of the North Atlantic. Market size is 2 1/2 to 10 pounds. Large cod weigh 10 to 25 pounds; jumbos are 25 and over. The term scrod generally refers to cod under 2 1/2 pounds. Atlantic cod’s smaller, paler counterpart, Pacific cod, averages 5 to 10 pounds. It is taken by trawls, longlines and pots. The Bering and Barents seas and Gulf of Alaska are major fishing grounds. The two cod species are often not separately distinguished in the marketplace but offered simply as “cod.” The fish is found in various forms around the globe. Salted cod is widely used throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Africa. Canada and Norway are major producers of salt cod.

Product Profile

Atlantic cod fillets have a silvery, subcutaneous layer that distinguishes them from Pacific cod. The lean meat has a mild, clean flavor and large, tender flakes. It’s less firm than haddock and sweeter than Pacific cod. Raw Atlantic cod is translucent, ranging from white to pinkish. Cooked, it’s an opaque white.

Raw Pacific cod is opaque, creamy white. Cooked meat is white, tender-firm, lean and flaky, with a mild taste. The moisture content is a little higher than that of Atlantic cod, making it less firm.

You Should Know...

Cod is subject to infection with a small roundworm, or nematode, normally removed during processing. It is destroyed by proper cooking or freezing.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 100g/3.5 oz. (raw, Atlantic cod)
Amount per serving
Calories 82
Fat Calories 6.0
Total Fat 0.7 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 43 mg
Sodium 54 mg
Protein 17.8 g
Omega-3 0.2 g

Cooking Tips

Use Atlantic and Pacific cod interchangeably, though Pacific cod produces larger, thicker fillets, and its moisture content makes breading difficult. Because it is so lean, cod cooks quickly and benefits from moist heat. The neutral flavor makes an excellent showcase for herbal accents like tarragon, dill and cilantro. Cod tongues and cheeks are a delicious treat if you can find them, especially sautéed.

Substitutions: Haddock, Pollock, Hoki

Cooking Methods

Bake, Broil, Fry, Sauté, Steam

Primary Product Forms

Fresh

• Dressed
• H&G
• Fillets (skin-on/skinless)
• Loins
• Steaks
• Cheeks, tongue

Frozen

• Dressed
• H&G
• Fillets (skin-on/skinless)
• Loins
• Tails
• Blocks

Value-added

• Breaded/battered portions
• Entrées
• Smoked
• Dried/salted

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