Arctic Char

Arctic Char Taste & Flavor Profile

Arctic Char Flavor Scale

Flavor
Oil
Texture

Arctic Char have a rich taste with a flavor profile somewhere between trout and salmon with a fat content close to that of sockeye salmon. The flesh ranges in color from light pink to deep red with moderately firm but fine flakes. The skin is is thin and delicate, is easy to crisp-up and is edible. I usually cook it to 120° F, about medium-rare (note that the Health Dept. recommends 135° for fish). Char is also served as sushi, but because it is of the Salmonidae family it must be frozen first to a temperature of -4° F for 24 hours to kill any possible parasite larvae.

Typical Cooking Methods

Alternate Names

Char, Alpine Trout, Sea Trout, Alpine Char, Iwana (sushi)

Typical Wholesale Products

Whole, Dressed, Fillets

Description (Salvelinus alpinus alpinus)

Arctic Char is a member of the Salmonidae family which includes salmon and trout. Average commercial weight is 2-8 Lbs but can grow to 25 Lbs. Their body shape resembles salmon. They have silvery skin with flecks of pink along the sides and splashes of green & blue along their back.

Like salmon, arctic char is androgynous, migrating from lakes to saltwater to spawn. But unlike salmon, they do not die after spawning and can live to an age of over 25 years.

Fresh Availability

Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability, gray indicates not available fresh. Farmed fresh Arctic Char is available all year.

Arctic Char Butchering Yield %

Range & Habitat

AquaMaps Data sources: GBIF

Wild Arctic Char are found in the northern arctic waters of North America, Europe and northeastern Russia. They are found in marine and fresh water, and dwell at a depth of 90 – 210 feet deep. Some are migratory, while others live in fresh water their entire lives.

Arctic Char are unique in that they are the only fresh water fish to inhabit the coldest, most northern lakes, as well as alpine lakes at the the highest altitude.

Recipe Video for Arctic Char

Arctic Char Sustainability Info

Name	Alternate Names	Catch Method	Catch Region	Seafood Watch	Ocean Wise	Sea Choice	Mercury Concerns
Arctic Char	Char, Alpine Trout, Sea Trout, Alpine Char, Iwana	Farmed	Canada, Iceland, Norway, US				no
Disclaimer: The sustainability info above is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, each program randomly updates their information without our knowledge. We therefore recommend that you verify the current accuracy of this information.
= Best Choice/Recommended = Good Alternative = Avoid/Not Recommended							Updated Jan 2013

Most arctic char are farmed in some type of closed land-based aquaculture system such as tanks or raceways. They are well managed with low impact upon the local habitat and low risk of pollution. Wild fish are also available, but in very limited supply. Read more.

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Scott Hayden

3 years ago

You say the trout are androgynous.
I think you meant anadromous.

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