Have you ever wondered, Why Is Chilean Sea Bass So Expensive? keep reading! Everyone loves a nicely cooked plate of fish- what makes that even better is an expensive plate. Yes! You’re thinking of the Chilean Sea Bass, aren’t you? Chilean Sea Bass is a very well-known and well-loved dish world over and has found its home in all luxury restaurant menus all across the globe. But did you know that while it is known as Chilean Sea Bass all across the globe, its real name is something else? Yes, it’s called the Patagonian Toothfish and it is expensive too! But like this lesser-known fact about its name, what are some other facts you should know about it?
Chilean Sea Bass: What’s in a Fish?
Harvested from the waters near Chile and known for its silky texture and smooth, buttery flavour, the Chilean Sea Bass is known for being an exquisite and expensive dish to prepare. Since the early 2ks, this fish has been sourced in both legal and illegal ways just because of how sought-after it is by the food-loving community. The Chilean Sea bass is a low-calorie and high-in-protein fish which makes for a healthy dish on whichever plate it is on. However, it is dangerous for the high mercury content present in it. Adults are advised to have only two portions per month and children, only one. This is because mercury in seafood can cause serious health issues. So, it is a good thing that it’s expensive, eh? Can’t have it too often anyway!
The Chilean Sea Bass costs, on average, around 30 USD per pound- a lot more expensive than regular fish. Its high pricing can be pinned onto a multitude of factors, the most famous being that it is located very far away from the shore, all the way deep into the sea. This distance contributes toward what makes the fish an expensive one to source because the distance and the money it takes to ship it from the sea is a lot!
Now if you’re an environmentally conscious citizen of the world, the Chilean Sea Bass probably isn’t the best choice for you. The selling of the fish is nowhere close to being sustainable. The fish is overly fished in the seas and it takes too much time in comparison to other fishes to reproduce. This means that if they are fished at the current rate, there might not be any more Chilean sea bass in the sea.
However, to counter this you can make use of alternatives. The sablefish offers the same silky richness that the Chilean Sea Bass offers and is a lot healthier! It is known for being very easy to cook, so if you’re new to cooking, then the sablefish would suit your pursuits. It also gives a better crispy-skinned exterior when pan-seared, making it a very good alternative with regards to the texture of the fish and the taste- a perfect filet of fish to try the next time you cook some seafood!
But why are we looking at alternatives anyway? That’s because the Chilean Sea Bass itself is very expensive- why is it so? Read on.
Why Is Chilean Sea Bass So Expensive?
With Chilean Sea Bass being very hard to source with it being situated usually in the deep ocean, it makes sense that this exotic fish costs a bit more than you’re willing to part with. It is unique and tastes out of the world! But these aren’t the only reasons why this fish is expensive. Here’s more:
1. High Demand and Lesser Supply:
Anything expensive is so only because there is very little of it and lots of people who want to get their hands on it and the Chilean Sea Bass is no different. The fish is available only in the deepwater of the sea surrounding Chile and nowhere else. With such limited supply and people all over the world wanting a taste, it is only natural that the market demands more money.
2. Taste:
The Chilean Sea Bass is a remarkably well tasting piece of fish. It tastes buttery, saucy and spicy and when well prepared, you are served an absolute treat on a plate. The fish is also very versatile, so it can be cooked in many different ways- each of which is better than the previous rendition.
3. The luxury factor:
All items on the menu of a luxury restaurant are very expensive. Given the fact that Chilean Sea Bass is known for being only on the menus of high-end restaurants, it is no surprise how expensive it is. Cooks Very Easily: The Chilean Sea Bass is a cook’s delight- it is a very easy piece of fish to cook and when done well, all the flavour packed in the fish is highlighted very nicely. Chefs love to take on this fish for the interesting outcomes and the various experimentations in the cooking methods.
4. Rare to Find:
It is very difficult to find Chilean Sea Bass anywhere else other than the country in its name- Chile. Fishermen have to go far and wide to procure even just a few slices of this fish and the work it takes to procure it and the shipping costs are exorbitant. There are also a lot of risks associated with fishing this one, because of how deep into the sea a fisherman is required to go. All these reasons are why the fish costs a lot more than the regular fish. But is it worth it?
Conclusion
The Chilean Sea Bass is a must-try for any seafood aficionado. The fish, however expensive, is sure to make you happy when you put it in your mouth. To cut down on the cost, you can consider skipping the restaurant and cooking it on your own- this cuts a big part of the cost you’ll be spending. You can also choose to buy it from fish markets when they go on sale! Though expensive, the Chilean Sea Bass is truly worth the money due to all the high-risk factors mentioned above. It has luxury and taste in each bite and is a definite must-try for everyone!
