Where to eat the best Karimeen in Kerala? This Kollam lake has the answer

The tastiest Karimeen (black pearl spot fish), a cherished delicacy in Kerala’s cuisine, can be found in the backwaters of Kanjiracodu (Kanjirodu) in Kollam and Azheekode in Kodungallur, according to a recent report by the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS). This study analysed both taste and nutritional differences in Kerala’s official state fish.

Researchers collected Karimeen from six locations across the Vembanad, Ashtamudi, and Sasthamkotta backwaters, gathering 30 samples each from Azheekode, Panangadu, Kumarakom, Arinallur, Kanjiracodu, and Sasthamkotta. The fish were then prepared using two methods – steaming and frying, as part of conducting a sensory evaluation.

In the tasting tests, steamed fish from Kanjiracodu lake area scored highest, while the fried fish from Azheekode was deemed the best. These findings are expected to support efforts to obtain a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kanjiracodu Karimeen.

The study was led by Dr. Binu Varghese, an assistant professor at KUFOS, in collaboration with scientists from the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.