December 11, 2023

Hake
(Merluccius)

La hake is a White fish belonging to the family of gadids, such as cod or pollock.

Characteristics of Hake

These types of fish have a rounder appearance, with a thin, elongated body. Their heads are usually large, a physical feature that helps identify them, and flat on top. They also have large eyes, but they are less noticeable because they are slightly sunken.

The hakes They live mainly in the northwest of the Atlantic Ocean, at depths of approximately 200 meters.

A hake is a carnivorous fish, feeding on other smaller fish, crustaceans, etc.

They are considered animals with cannibalistic habits because they are capable of eating other fish of the same species.

The color of the hake is metallic gray or bluish, with a whitish tone in the belly area.

The size of a hake is usually between 20 and 60 centimeters, although specimens have been found that exceed 100 cm in length.

Hake that inhabits the northernmost part of the Atlantic Ocean is usually larger than those found in the southern part.

Hake reproduction begins in late winter and ends with the onset of spring. An adult female can lay up to 400.000 eggs at a time.

Hake is known in gastronomy for its mild flavor, few bones, and great versatility. It's a plentiful fish, available year-round, and at affordable prices.

PREMIUM QUALITY

Hake may be called by other names, such as "pijota" or "merlucillas" when they are smaller. However, they are not different types of hake.

Most types of hake are differentiated by the area in which they live. These are some examples:

european hake: It is the most well-known and abundant spice. It can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
Argentine hake: They are a typical species of the Argentine coast and are easily differentiated by their golden tones and much smaller heads.
African hake: This species is very particular because it has a very characteristic black color.
Cape hake: It is another of the most consumed species of hake and is usually identified by its larger size and brown tones.
American hake: It is also known as Boston hake and is very similar to the European variant.
Southern hake: They are hakes with brown tones and large scales.
Pacific hake: This type of hake has an elongated, smooth body, and its silver color is mixed with a brown tone.

All these types of hake are tasty and maintain a similar flavor but always The European and Cape variants stand out.

Nutritional values

the hake belongs to the group of white fish, made up of fish that contain a lower percentage of fat.

Specifically, hake has 2,8 grams of fat per 100 grams of product. And those fats are omega-3s, directly linked to the reduction and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Its nutritional composition is based on proteins, minerals and some vitamins of group B and E.

Hake is a protein-rich fish, ideal for any type of diet or for weight loss, and very healthy.

Its flavor and texture are mild, so it can be incorporated into hundreds of recipes, and it doesn't become dense when eaten several times a week or at dinner.

Next, we offer you a table with the nutritional values of hake, taking into account that it has an edible portion of 80 gr for every 100 gr of product.

Nutritional value	100 gr edible portion
Energy (Kcal)	89
Proteins (g)	15,9
Total lipids (g)	2,8
Saturated FA (g)	0,500
Monounsaturated fatty acids (g)	0,520
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (g)	0,800
Cholesterol (mg/1000 kcal)	67
Carbohydrates (g)	0
Fiber (g)	0
Water (g)	81,3
Calcium (mg)	28
Iron (mg)	0,8
Iodine (µg)	2
Magnesium (mg)	23
Zinc (mg)	0,3
Sodium (mg)	74
Potassium (mg)	363
Phosphorus (mg)	190
Selenium (µg)	36
Thiamine (mg)	0,08
Riboflavin (mg)	0,08
Niacin equivalents (mg)	6
Vitamin B6 (mg)	0,16
Folates (µg)	13
Vitamin B12 (µg)	1
Vitamin C (mg)	Tr
Vitamin A: Eq. Retinol (µg)	Tr
Vitamin D (µg)	Tr
Vitamin E (mg)	0,35

Habitat

Hake is a fish that lives in the world's oceans, so there is a wide variety of types, most named according to their area of origin.

This fish It lives at depths between 150 and 600 meters, although it is capable of descending to a depth of 1.000 meters.

It is a fish that moves constantly and can only be seen close to the coast during the summer months.

At night they move in large groups to come to the surface to hunt, but they also do so in the depths or on the bottom, where they spend most of their time.

Hake prefers cold waters, usually at an average temperature of 5°C.

Hake is abundant in the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the northern and western parts. However, one type of hake can be found in the Mediterranean Sea.

Season and Fishing Gear

Hake fishing season

Hake is a type of fish that can be caught during most summer months, except during the winter months when it tends not to come close to the surface or the coast, and catching it can be difficult.

Fishermen prefer the spring and summer months, from March to September, to fish the hake banks.

It is a very abundant fish in the Atlantic Ocean and is easily caught in large quantities.

How to fish for hake

Hake is usually caught by trawling, which uses various methods. trawl nets to catch schools of hake. Occasionally, hake is caught using longlines.

The best time of day to fish for hake is at night. because they come up to the surface to hunt, making capture easier.

Because it's such a plentiful fish that can be caught for several months, there's no shortage of it. For this reason, it's common to see hake in markets year-round.

To catch hake, baits such as anchovies or other smaller fish are usually used.

Fishermen often choose fishing areas with muddy bottoms, which are preferred by these fish.