At The Fisheries Blog, it’s easy for us to see fish in everything we do – fish are our careers, our pastimes, our life! But, every once in a while, we like to remind you that fish are in everything YOU do, too! You might be surprised how frequently fish make an appearance this holiday season. Here are five examples of common fish-based products that are staples of the holidays.
Happy Holidays from The Fisheries Blog and best FISHES for 2016!
- Beer and wine
Cheers to fish bladders! (publix.com)
Though Guinness is going vegan, isinglass, made from fish swim bladders, is a common clarifier for both beer and wine. Though the yeast will settle out naturally in beer, isinglass quickens the process so that tasty BEvERage can be ready in time for all those holiday parties.
- Lipstick
Putting a whole new meaning to the term fish face. (hercampus.com)
Ever wonder what makes lipstick so shimmery? Well, the same thing that makes a fish shine and glimmer in the sun does the same for lipstick as well as other cosmetic products: fish scales. Do you want to kiss a fish under the mistletoe?
- Marshmallows
Would you like to top your hot coco with fish gelatin? (chabad.org)
Marshmallows get their fluff and puff from gelatin. If those marshmallows in your hot chocolate are kosher or halal, chances are they were made with fish gelatin, which is made from boiling fish skin, bones, and connective tissue. Somehow, that boiled fish connective tissue doesn’t sound quite as appetizing as it looks.
- Omega-3 enhanced foods
Fish oil could be hiding in your PB&J or mimosa. (bornfitness.com)
Increasingly, it’s easy to find omega-3 enhanced foods in your neighborhood grocery store, from peanut butter to orange juice to yogurt. One of the common sources of omega-3 fatty acids for these fortified products is fish oil. So, yup, that quick PB&J that you grab between shopping trips or that mimosa T at brunch could be doused in fish oil. Luckily, the fish oil is hidden so well that it’s almost as hard to guess as that one present under the tree that you’re dying to open!
- Worcestershire sauce
Did you know your Bloody Mary came with a dash of fermented fish juice? (bbc.co.uk)
Worcestershire sauce is a mouthful to pronounce but the ingredient list might be even harder to swallow for some. Made from anchovies fermented in vinegar for a year and a half, Worcestershire sauce is often a key component of those holiday snack mixes that you can’t get enough of or that festive Bloody Mary. Who would have thought that fermented fish juice could be so addictive?
By: Abigail Lynch
Feel free to include other unexpected fish-based products in the comments section below!
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