What Does Seal Taste Like? Does Seal Taste Good?
In this article, you will know the answer to the query “What Does Seal Taste Like?“.
There are very few animals as polarizing as seals. While some people enjoy eating them, others will not step onto a beach where they may be lurking.
Canada and Norway are two countries that enjoy it, but it’s not for everyone.
Discover what you need to know about the taste of seal meat before you decide whether or not you want to try it.
What is Seal?
The Arctic Ocean is home to seals, which are marine mammals. There are several types of meat from seals, including flippers, ribs, and other cuts.
In ancient times, seals were mainly hunted for their fur, which was used to make clothing such as capes, coats with hoods, gloves, hats (especially in Russia), boots, and blankets.
It was historically exploited by weaving companies worldwide (though it isn’t of very good quality) to produce an artificial membrane similar to cellophane from the skin of a baby harp seal.
People have eaten seals throughout history, and some cultures still eat seals today.
Seal meat is usually boiled or roasted with spices in most parts of the world where seal meat is consumed.
Thousands of years ago, Inuit tribes living in Canada relied on seals for their survival, so perhaps this mammal has something we should be aware of.
Why Is Seal Meat Illegal?
Hunting seals is illegal in most countries, but eating seal meat is not.
According to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, killing marine mammals is illegal in the United States, except for subsistence hunting and feeding on dead seals.
Any part of a seal cannot be owned in Canada without written permission from Fisheries & Oceans Canada (DFO).
People who continued to hunt seals illegally can be fined or imprisoned, but typically the consequences are not too severe.
Nowadays, Canadians eat seal meat only once or twice every few years on special occasions like holidays
Canadian communities rely on seals for food because of their importance in traditional culture; this can’t be said for the United States and Europe.
Can You Eat Seal Raw?
Yes, but we don’t recommend it. One of the greatest things about seals is that they’re delicious, but that’s not the only reason.
This is why Canadian natives typically consume seal meat raw; this is not for religious reasons, but because seal meat has a short lifespan, making eating it as fresh as possible a priority.
What Does Seal Taste Like? Does Seal Meat Taste Good?
Almost all animal species have their own distinctive taste profile – chicken, for example, is often described as “crispy” or “nutty”; seal meat, on the other hand, is known for its oily and salty flavor.
Nevertheless, not all of these seals have the same characteristics: some are leaner than others, so they are likely to have tastes that range from fishy to beef-like in texture with a hint of sweetness.
Seal meat has a taste and texture similar to lamb or beef, with a gamey taste and becoming more tender as it cooks.
Outside Canada, you’ll find that most restaurants that specialize in seal meal offer something similar to traditional dishes like raw salmon sashimi or steak tartare that people know what to expect.
How to Cook Seal Meat?
The seal can be cooked in a wide variety of ways, just like other red meats.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that seal meat is more delicate than other meats, so you’ll need to cook it at a lower temperature or for a shorter period of time to ensure its tenderness and succulence are preserved during the cooking process.
Braising might be your best bet if you want something juicy and medium-rare on the inside.
The seal works well when pan-roasted (seared only on one side) before finishing it off in a hot oven, which keeps the moisture in the meat without overcooking it. You could even serve seals as kebabs.
Sealing in a roast is also a good alternative to turkey or ham, which is traditional for the holidays.
It’s easy to end up with a dry and chewy seal by frying it, as it’s the trickiest of all cooking methods.
It’s possible to bake seal meat for a long time on low heat, especially if you’re after a tender, boiled meat consistency that can be easily pulled apart.
Conclusion
Especially when you’re seeking something a little different, seal meat is a delicacy worth trying.
You should ensure that after cooking seal meat (on the stovetop or in the oven) it is thoroughly and evenly cooked to avoid it becoming dry – this will also help to remove any gamey flavor.
We hope that you found this article useful in understanding how to seal meat is prepared. Thanks for reading about how to seal meat is prepared.
If you want to read more about cooking, read here: Cooking Tips and Tricks.