Why Barramundi is the “It” Fish
Barramundi may not be as popular as salmon or tuna yet, but we think this “it” fish will be.
Today, three billion people around the globe depend on seafood as their primary protein source. Some scientists predict that the rising population and poor management of our oceans won’t be able to support the growing demand by 2048.
Enter Josh Goldman, the founder of Australis, who has been on a mission for decades to find the perfect fish with an eco-friendly profile that could feed the world in a way that is safe, sustainable, delicious, and nutritious. After a search that spanned five continents and over 30 species, Josh finally found the perfect fish for this purpose—Barramundi.
Native to the Indo-Pacific, Barramundi proves to not only offer a desirable taste and culinary properties, it’s packed with heart-healthy omega-3s and is a hardy species that lends itself to sustainable farming. It’s truly like the “goldilocks of sustainable fish.”
What is Barramundi?
The Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) or Asian sea bass, is a species of tropical marine finfish. The species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region from South Asia to Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia. The fish is known as pla kapong in Thai and as bhetki in Bengali.
Versatility meets delicious flavor
If you find cooking fish intimidating or are not a fan of the fishy flavor of some varieties, you’re not alone. Both are significant barriers to cooking and enjoying this lean protein source—challenges that we’re working to remove. Barramundi possesses a gentle, mild flavor and toothsome texture that make it appealing to those whose are fussy about seafood. And because of its moderate fat content, this fish is nearly impossible to overcook.
Many people have also found Barramundi pleasant to cook at home because it doesn’t give off a strong odor like salmon or other oily fish. It works perfectly in just about every white fish recipe, and for every type of cuisine. Because we hand-cut and flash freeze every fillet for you, it takes all of the stress and guesswork out of storage and prep.
To see just how adaptable this ingredient is, check out some of our delicious recipes here for some inspiration. Oh, and we can’t forget that awesome “Battle Barramundi” on Iron Chef America!
Packed with nutrients for a healthier you
With half the calories of salmon, Barramundi is still packed with Omega-3 fatty acids (known to promote both brain and cardiovascular health) and boasts 21 grams of lean protein in a four-ounce serving. We raise our Barramundi to possess all of the beneficial things you want, and none of what you don’t — like mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants.
It’s also low in Omega-6, which is something you want to consume in moderation due to its inflammatory nature. Some nutritionists recommend an Omega-6-to-Omega-3 ratio of no more than 3:1; our Barramundi has the ideal 1:1 ratio.
A farmed fish you can feel good about
Whether we like it or not, choosing what you eat has become an ethical decision. More and more people, us included, want the full story about what they consume—from a sustainable, humane and nutritional standpoint. Farmed fish has been under a lot of scrutiny and criticism in the past. However, we believe that we’ve got a seafood solution that actually makes good sense.
Barramundi eat low on the food chain consuming a largely plant-based diet with a modest amount of sustainably-sourced fishmeal that result it a fish-in fish-out ratio of 1:1. This means that we’re not taking more fish from the environment than we produce. Barramundi is also a hardy fish species, which allows us to raise them without being reliant on hormones or antibiotics, which is good for you and for them. Lastly, our Barramundi are closely monitored and kept at low densities. They occupy just 1% of the space in their sea cages — which minimizes environmental impact.
As we like to say, Barramundi is a “silver fish, not a silver bullet.” We truly believe here at Australis that we’ve made significant progress in sustainable fish farming, but we’re also well aware of the problems facing our oceans and our health. Our Barramundi is just the first step in creating a better food system.
Learn more about how our fish make it from sea to the table on our Our Fish page.