Escolar

Definition: Escolar

February 9, 2009

Escolar
Dark brown to black in color, this deep-water fish is found in tropical and temperate waters, and has a vivid white- or cream-colored flesh. Because of its heavy fat content, it's often grilled, broiled, or steamed, as opposed to fried. Escolar can be tricky to identify. It's mistaken for other fish, such as Chilean sea bass, albacore, and oilfish.

It may also be referred to by the names butterfish, walu, sierra, and white tuna.

You may recall this fish from a recent episode of Top Chef.

Photos courtesy of Regulatory Fish Encyclopedia

8 Comments

SillyGirl 4 years 14 weeks

Escolar is AWESOME! If you love Chilean sea bass, you will love this too. Hard to find, but usually less expensive. Tls girl is actually not confusing it with oilfish. The type of fat (Gempylotoxin) in escolar cannot be digested by some people. (acts like castor oil) So about 5% of the population will experience ED. FDA once banned the fish in the US but has since lifted it since it affects so few people. Canada requires it to be sold with warning labels though.

tlsgirl 4 years 14 weeks

about the *fish,* not *first*

tlsgirl 4 years 14 weeks

Thanks Yum - there are so many conflicting articles out there about the first, especially since oilfish is often called something else as well. Confusion abounds.

ilanac13 4 years 14 weeks

this was one of the fish that they had on Top Chef this past week right? it's always interesting to me to see how chefs manage to adapt when there are obviously ingredients that they aren't as familiar with. i used to LOVE chilean sea bass when i ate fish, so i wonder how this one relates

POPSUGAR Food 4 years 14 weeks

@tlsgirl: I can see where you're coming from. Still, I think that this is related to the fact that escolar is often mistaken for oilfish, which has those effects.