The habit of storing fish must have an earthen pot of our grandparents’ generation and the unexpected reason behind it

Have you ever wondered why your mother or grandmother has to store fish in an old clay pot?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “fish stock must be cooked in an earthen pot to be delicious” from your parents. Most of us do not question that statement, because for the rustic braised fish that we know in memory, see on television and read in magazines, there will also be a shadow of the fish. earthen pot somewhere nearby.

The image of braised fish pieces on a simple background slightly tinged with the time of an earthen pot always gives us a very… right, even standard feeling. But in fact, very few people understand the deep reason behind this “attachment” of the previous generation, that “braised fish must go hand in hand with earthen pot”. Our grandparents still love metal as anyone, but only braised fish dishes still make them loyal to the clay pot. The real reason is not just in terms of habits, because braised fish will actually taste better when stocked with an earthen pot. According to research, all types of clay pots are coated with a thin layer of enamel, this glaze is an “inert” material, so even if it is exposed to high heat, it will not turn into a catalyst that affects the raw materials. material in the pot. So it can be said that the dishes cooked with clay pots will have the purest flavor and the least change. On the other hand, the reason why the clay pot “lost” to the metal pot is due to its poor thermal conductivity, but this is also a strong point, because when cooking with the clay pot for a long time, the temperature in the pot is just enough to cook the food. not hot enough to cause unwanted chemical reactions. This is why the metal pot is suitable for cooking quick dishes like soup, but not suitable for cooking dishes that need to be cooked for a long time like braised or braised. In addition, there are studies that show that foods with natural fats such as fish oil are prone to chemical reactions at high temperatures, so it is better to use earthen pots with braised fish dishes. At the present time, many people have realized the health and culinary benefits of earthen pots, so they have returned to using enamel, porcelain or earthenware pots and pans. High-end restaurants are also starting to use clay pots for stock dishes to make the dish more appetizing, although the processing will become more sophisticated and complicated than the old style. So, you understand why braised fish must definitely go with an earthen pot, also understand why grandparents “accept” this so much, right?