The Perfect Fish Soup: Hot or Cold Water? A Tasty, Non-Fishy Broth.

Should You Use Hot or Cold Water When Cooking Fish Soup to Enhance Its Natural Sweetness and Reduce Any Fishy Odor? Let’s Find Out!

1. Why Does the Choice of Water Matter?

Water is not only a primary ingredient in soup, but it also significantly impacts the dish’s flavor and quality. When cooking fish soup, water blends with other ingredients, creating a unique flavor profile. Selecting the right water can enhance the natural sweetness and minimize any fishy odor.

2. Using Cold Water: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Preserves Natural Flavor: Cold water helps retain the natural flavor of the ingredients. Slow cooking with cold water prevents the fish from disintegrating, maintaining its shape.
• Reduces Fishy Odor: Cooking with cold water prevents thermal shock to the fish, minimizing any fishy smell.

Disadvantages:

• Longer Cooking Time: Using cold water usually takes longer as the water needs time to reach a boil and infuse the flavors.

3. Using Hot Water: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Faster Cooking: Hot water quickly cooks the ingredients, saving time for the cook.
• Enhanced Flavor: When the water is hot, the flavors from the ingredients blend more rapidly, resulting in a richer soup.

Disadvantages:

• Prone to Fishy Odor: Extremely hot water can cause the fish to fall apart, releasing a fishy odor that affects the soup’s flavor.

4. How to Cook Fish Soup That’s Naturally Sweet and Free from Fishy Odor

Prepare the Ingredients:

• Choose fresh and clean fish. Popular choices include snakehead fish, salmon, and basa fish.
• Use odor-neutralizing spices such as shallots, ginger, turmeric, and herbs (saw-leaf herb and Vietnamese coriander).

Cooking Process:

• Remove the fishy odor: Before cooking, marinate the fish with a small amount of salt, pepper, ginger, or white wine for about 15-20 minutes to eliminate any fishy smell.
• Boil the water: If you prefer natural sweetness, use cold water for slow cooking. Bring the water to a boil and add spices such as shallots and ginger to enhance the flavor.
• Add the fish: Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and gently place the fish in the pot. Avoid vigorous stirring to prevent the fish from breaking apart.
• Include vegetables: After the fish is cooked, you can add vegetables like tomatoes, water spinach, or tofu to make the soup more nutritious and flavorful.

The choice of using hot or cold water when cooking fish soup depends on your preference and available time. However, to achieve a naturally sweet soup without the fishy odor, it’s advisable to opt for cold water and combine it with odor-neutralizing spices. Experiment and find the method that suits your taste and convenience the most!