lauttimur.com - The fishy smell of fish comes from naturally occurring compounds in the fish called amines. Specifically, the most common amine responsible for the fishy odor is trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is produced when bacteria and enzymes in the fish break down a compound called trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), which is found in high concentrations in the muscle tissue of fish.

When fish are caught and harvested, the bacterial action in the fish continues, causing the TMA to be released and resulting in the characteristic fishy odor. Additionally, if fish is not stored properly, such as being left at room temperature for too long, the bacterial action will continue to break down TMAO and produce more TMA, making the fish smell even stronger.

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1.    Ginger
Ginger has a strong, spicy flavor and can help to reduce the fishy odor. You can either sprinkle fresh grated ginger over the fish or add it to your cooking.

2.    Garlic
Garlic is another spice that can help to mask the fishy odor. You can either chop up fresh garlic cloves and sprinkle them over the fish or add them to your cooking.

3.    Lemon
Lemon is acidic and can help neutralize the fishy odor. You can squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish or soak the fish in a mixture of cold water and lemon juice for 30 minutes before cooking.

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4.    Salt
Salt can help draw out moisture from the fish and reduce the fishy smell. You can sprinkle salt over the fish and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.

5.    Milk
Soaking the fish in milk for 30 minutes before cooking can help remove the fishy odor. The enzymes in the milk can break down the fish proteins that cause the odor.

6.    Basil
Basil is another herb commonly used in cooking that can help to reduce the fishy smell. You can either sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the fish or add them to your cooking.

Remember, it's important to properly handle and store fish to minimize the development of a strong fishy odor. Fresh fish will have less of a fishy odor than older fish, so try to purchase the freshest fish possible. Additionally, proper storage of fish in the refrigerator or freezer can help prevent the development of a strong fishy odor.

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