Fish
Whiting
Whiting usually means Merlangius merlangus in Europe—a small cod-family fish with soft, mild, flaky white flesh—or, in the US, various weakfish and Pacific whitings sold under the same name. European whiting is lean, delicate, and inexpensive; it spoils quickly and must be very fresh or well frozen. Flavour is gentle, almost sweet when prime. Fry, steam, bake in foil, or use in fish pies and soups where firmness is less critical. Fillets are thin and cook in minutes; whole fish suit pan-frying. Not ideal for aggressive grilling unless oiled and handled carefully. Confirm species on the label—names travel more than biology. Excellent value when treated gently and not overcooked.
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A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.
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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 1.96 g
- Saturated Fat 0.41 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.73 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.82 g
- Cholesterol 57.9 mg
- Sodium 79.6 mg
- Salt 0.22 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 19 g
- Water 76.2 g
- Energy 93.6 kcal
- Water 76.2 g
- Protein 19 g
- Animal Protein 18.1 g
- Fat 1.96 g
- Saturated Fat 0.41 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0.73 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.82 g
- Vitamins 44.9 mg
- Vitamin A 20 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.1 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.14 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 3.81 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.66 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.37 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.8 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 11 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 1.7 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 1.4 µg
- Vitamin E 0.54 mg
- Vitamin K 0.4 µg
- Minerals 377 mg
- Major Minerals 304 mg
- Trace Minerals 73.1 mg
- Salt 0.22 g
- Sodium Chloride 0.22 g
- Cholesterol 57.9 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 1.7 · vitamin-a: 20 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.1 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.14 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 3.81 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.66 · vitamin-b6: 0.37 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.8 · vitamin-b9-folate: 11 · vitamin-d: 1.4 · vitamin-e: 0.54 · vitamin-k: 0.4 ·
Minerals
Sodium: 79.63 · Potassium: 172 · Calcium: 52 · Iron: 0.7 · Zinc: 0.4 · Iodine: 72 ·
White fish are lean muscle with little intramuscular fat.
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Coastal and river fishing for whiting and related species supplied essential protein long before agriculture spread globally.
Salting, drying, smoking, and fermenting extended the shelf life of whiting and enabled long-distance trade.
Ice preservation and railway transport brought fresh whiting to inland cities beyond fishing ports.
Industrial freezing, aquaculture, and global logistics made whiting widely available in international markets.