It all started with the Native Americans, who would smoke salmon to preserve it for the long winter months. And let me tell you, they knew a thing or two about smoking – I mean, have you tried to smoke a salmon in a teepee? It's no easy feat, trust me. They would use alder wood to give it that distinctive flavor, and voilà! Smoked salmon was born.
Fast forward to the Scottish and Irish, who also got in on the smoked salmon action. They would cold smoke their salmon, which meant they would smoke it at a lower temperature to preserve the delicate flavor. And thus, the traditional smoked salmon we know and love today was born.
10 Popular Smoked Salmon Brands, Tasted & Ranked
But, back to those fancy names. So, lox refers to the thinly sliced smoked salmon, often served on a bagel with cream cheese. Novy, on the other hand, is a type of smoked salmon that's been cured in a sweet and salty brine. And kippered salmon? That's just a whole salmon that's been smoked and cured to perfection.
