What is Anchovy?
Anchovies are a classification of small salt-water fish of the Engraulidae family. A common method for preserving anchovies is to gut them and brine them, then pack them in oil and salt to be sold. The oil from these little fish are used in various dishes and has a distinctly strong fishy and salty flavor that pairs well with olives, sauces, pasta dishes and more. It is commonly used in Italian and Spanish dishes, but can be found across many cuisines.
What does Anchovy Taste Like?
...Salty is one of the five main tastes. It has a satisfying and addictive quality with hints of sourness. Salty foods include cheeses, cured meats, chips, and olives. It is used in almost every dish and prepared food. Salt is added to enhance flavor and offer a distinctly salty taste.
...Umami is one of five main tastes. It is savory with a depth of flavor. Umami is a taste in many foods, including meat, seafood, beans, and nuts. It is both naturally occurring and created through the specific use of ingredients to create a satisfying taste. Umami is characteristic of proteins and savory dishes.
Ingredients
...Anchovies are a classification of small, oily salt-water fish of the Engraulidae family. Variations of this fish are used around the world. A common method for preserving anchovies is to gut them and brine them, then pack them in oil to be sold. Vinegar is another method used for preserving anchovies. Though less common, these little fish are also prepared raw with no preserving and have a much milder fishy taste, yet pack a ton of flavor.
...Olive oil is extracted from the fresh olive, which grows on a tree. Many olives are needed in the extraction of the oil. This is done by a mechanical process and sometimes by a chemical process, though the mechanical method is highly preferred. Olive oil is a golden color and changes slightly due to whether it is extra virgin, or first cold pressed. The flavor of olive oil depends on how it was processed. Lower quality oils will taste mild, while high quality olive oils will have a robust flavor that is green, or may have a spicy quality. Extra virgin and first cold pressed or preferred. Olive oil lends a depth of flavor to any savory dish.
...Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.