Haddock and cod are cold-water fish that are related; are common to catch on the coasts of the Atlantic, both in America and Europe. Both types of fish have similar fillets in size, texture and flavor, both very popular, which makes them very difficult to distinguish. Learn about the subtle differences between these two animals so that you can know which is which.
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Brands
The easiest way to differentiate a haddock from a cod is to look at your skin closely. While the meat of haddock and cod once cooked is almost the same in appearance, whole fish, without having been filleted, are easy to distinguish. The haddock has a steel gray color, while the cod has a green-yellow hue. Moreover, each fish has its own particular marks. Cod has skin with spots, while haddock has two black stripes or black patches that run along its sides. The haddock has a larger spine than that of cod.
Flavor
When cooked, haddock and cod have a very similar taste, making it difficult to distinguish them. Both steaks have a sweet, slightly mild taste, as they are low in fish oils and omega 3 fatty acids. It is said that haddock is slightly sweeter and tastes stronger than cod, making it more popular among many chefs and chefs.
Texture
Both fillets of haddock and cod fillets have a more delicate, spongy and flaky texture, with lean and firm meat. However, haddock has a slightly finer and flaky texture than cod, which is in turn more moist than its close cousin. The cod also has a meat that is softer and more solid than the haddock.
Price
Haddock and cod usually fall within the same price range, along with white sturgeon and haddock. Haddock and cod are relatively inexpensive, and can be obtained both fresh and frozen. While there is no difference in price between ready-made fillets of haddock and cod or fish sticks made with their meat, the price between cod and fresh haddock may vary. On average, cod is slightly more expensive.
Applications in the kitchen
Haddock and cod are usually prepared in several ways. Both can be breaded, fried, roasted, boiled, baked, sautéed and even smoked. Its most common use, however, is in croquettes and in breaded and fried fillets, or as the English call it “fish and potatoes”. While the difference between croquettes and fried steaks is light, some prefer one fish over the other. People who prefer a slightly drier, sweet and flaky croquette or fillet will enjoy more of haddock than cod. Those who prefer a more sweet, solid and moist fish, will enjoy more fillets or cod croquettes.
