Trout is an increasingly interesting alternative to smoked salmon at Christmas. UFC Que Choisir tested products sold in supermarkets to find out which was the right choice.
It’s one of the star products of Christmas: smoked salmon. That being said, its price often puts buyers off. This is why smoked trout is increasingly chosen as an alternative. In any case, this is an observation that was made last year. According to the specialist institute NielsenIQ, sales of smoked salmon had fallen by 6.7% at the end of 2023, while those of smoked trout had increased by 11%. This year, will consumers make the same choice?
UFC What to choosea recognized consumer association, blind tested 11 packages of smoked salmon and 11 of smoked trout sold in supermarkets or organic stores, to help buyers in their choice at the end of the year. The jury of 30 people gave an overall assessment of each product and described its appearance, taste, smell and texture. The quality of the slices was also observed: the number, the ease of separating them, their size and thickness, the presence of black parts, etc. The salt and fat contents were also measured. Which trout or salmon won their favors?
In the three best products, according to UFC Que Choisir, there are two packages of trout and one of salmon. In third place, with a score of 14.6/20, we find the “Carrefour Organic smoked trout with beech wood”. It is offered in a package containing 4 slices for a weight of 120g and a price of 6.55 euros. It comes from farms located mainly in Spain and its salt content is 3.2 g per 100 g. It was appreciated for “its pleasant color and its well-balanced taste, harmoniously combining smoky and salty notes”.
In second place is the “smoked Atlantic salmon raised in the lochs of Scotland Carrefour Sélection”, which also obtains 14.6/20. It is a Scottish salmon, but prepared in Brittany, with a salt content of 2.5 g per 100 g. “This product received good marks for its visual appearance, its texture and its well-dosed smoking,” specifies the association. For 4 large slices, i.e. 160 g, the price is 9.99 euros.
In first position, we finally find trout. The Landvika brand package outperforms the others by obtaining 15.2/20. It comes from farms in Spain and sometimes in France depending on supplies. Its salt content is 3.0 g per 100 g. “This trout was very appreciated for its taste, marked by balanced smoky notes and a pleasant salinity,” we can read. The tray of six slices tested costs 5.89 euros at Carrefour. It’s a good deal.
In view of this result, trout seems a good choice for the holidays, which is confirmed by UFC Que Choisir: “Smoked trout is increasingly establishing itself as an interesting alternative to smoked salmon. Less coveted than its cousin, smoked trout is also less expensive and has improved in quality in recent years.”