Fish
Lamprey
Lamprey is a jawless, eel-shaped fish (Petromyzontiformes) with rich, dark, oily flesh famous in medieval European banquets and still eaten in parts of Portugal, France, Finland, and the Baltic. Texture is dense and meaty rather than flaky white fish; flavour is strong and iron-like, often braised in wine or blood sauces (e.g. French lamproie à la bordelaise). Clean carefully—the body has no conventional fish skeleton—and cook slowly in red wine, vinegar, or stew. Some species are conservation-sensitive; buy only from legal, managed fisheries. Not a mild “beginner” seafood: treat it like gamey rich fish.
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Breeds & varieties
A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
Characteristics
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 5.01 g
- Saturated Fat 0.92 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 1.95 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.05 g
- Cholesterol 56.9 mg
- Sodium 82.2 mg
- Salt 0.2 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 21.4 g
- Water 68.2 g
- Energy 125 kcal
- Water 68.2 g
- Protein 21.4 g
- Animal Protein 20.3 g
- Fat 5.01 g
- Saturated Fat 0.92 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 1.95 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 2.05 g
- Vitamins 49.2 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.08 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.13 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 3.32 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.83 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.47 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 3.5 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 13.8 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 2.1 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 1.7 µg
- Vitamin E 0.68 mg
- Vitamin K 0.6 µg
- Minerals 392 mg
- Major Minerals 314 mg
- Trace Minerals 77.5 mg
- Salt 0.2 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.2 g
- Cholesterol 56.9 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 2.1 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.08 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.13 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 3.32 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.83 · vitamin-b6: 0.47 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 3.5 · vitamin-b9-folate: 13.8 · vitamin-d: 1.7 · vitamin-e: 0.68 · vitamin-k: 0.6 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 82.21 · Potassium: 176 · Calcium: 56 · Iron: 1.1 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 76 ·
Fish flesh is lean to oily depending on species; marine omega-3s rise in fatty fish.
History
Coastal and river fishing for lamprey and related species supplied essential protein long before agriculture spread globally.
Salting, drying, smoking, and fermenting extended the shelf life of lamprey and enabled long-distance trade.
Ice preservation and railway transport brought fresh lamprey to inland cities beyond fishing ports.
Industrial freezing, aquaculture, and global logistics made lamprey widely available in international markets.