 Supermarket
chains and restaurant-owners are looking forward to the availability
of Kashmiri trout in Britain. Chicken Tandoori Masala (CTM) curry
might have replaced fish and chips as the national dish but fish is
still the most favoured meat not only among the English but a vast
majority of Asians, particularly Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and
Keralites.The fish from Kashmir are regarded by some as one of
the best tasting in fish in the world. Reports are that Britain has
been identified as a key market. Scots have been reminded that
Kashmiri fish are descended from Scottish brown trout.
The British had introduced it into the rivers of the Himalayas
100 years ago during the Raj days, for they missed the fly-fishing
they enjoyed back home.
According to reports, the Duke of Bedford made an unsuccessful
attempt to introduce trout in 1889. Over 10,000 eggs perished during
the long voyage from England. But just the next year the Scottish
trout released into rivers survived. They thrived in the unpolluted
waters. It is these rivers that still provide some of the best
fly-fishing in the world.
Kashmiri officials have claimed that the fish from the valley are
the healthiest and tastiest in the world and the chefs and gourmets
are excited at the prospect of their availability here. Production
is being stepped up with the collaboration with European
governments. Dutch-made feed mills have already started to produce
1000 lbs of trout feed per hour.
An Indian readymade food manufacturer with multi-million pound
turnover said he would welcome Himalayan trout as "we can make
superb Kashmiri preparations. Who knows they might replace CTM as
the national dish."
(HT) |
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