Why do freshwater fish have an earthy odor? How to remove

Freshwater fish such as carp, crucian carp and silver carp often have an earthy odor, which is due to the living environment of freshwater fish, such as fish ponds and lakes with more humus, which is very suitable for the growth of microorganisms. Studies have shown that some cyanobacteria and green algae phylum organisms can produce substances with an earthy odor. Now it is also believed that some species of diatoms and actinomycetes can also produce an earthy odor. The earthy odor enters the bloodstream through the gills of the fish, so it has an earthy odor. Recent studies have shown that the earthy odor is mainly due to two substances, MIB (2 methyl isotretinoin) and Geosmin (geosmin).

Traditional freshwater fish in the earthy odor removal methods: remove scales and gills, cut the belly after washing, placed in cold water, and pour a small amount of vinegar and pepper, due to the cold water to the body of the fish to displace the blood, and the addition of deodorization of ginger, green onion, garlic and other condiments, so it can be removed fishy odor. In recent years, domestic and foreign processing industry on the deodorization method of research, mainly salt solution immersion, tea solution immersion, deodorant method and ozone method.