Sprats: Worth Knowing And Kitchen Tips

A small type of herring that is reminiscent of sardines: sprats are widespread in northern German cuisine – smoked, pickled, and grilled. But what are sprats? Are you healthy? And where does the sprat come from? Read more about the versatile food fish here.

Interesting facts about sprats

As a herring species, European sprats live in the North and Baltic Seas, as well as in the Atlantic from Scandinavia to the south to Morocco. The small fish, which live in large schools, are also at home in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. They prefer to swim in fjords or near the coast. The sprat fish is also known as Breitling, Sprott, or Brisling.

Like the anchovy, it is one of the short-lived fish. The back is blue or blue-grey, side and belly slightly silver. Although sprats are similar to herring, they are smaller, measuring around 16 cm when fully grown. At the same time, they are among Europe’s most important commercial fish. Sprats are popular food fish, which is partly due to their nutritional values. Because sprats are considered healthy when eaten in the right amount. In addition, dried sprats are sold as dog and cat food.

Shopping and cooking tips for sprats

Traditionally, sprats are considered tasty smoked fish: to preserve them, they were cooked on skewers over wood. To this day, one of the most famous preparation variants still uses the interplay of fish and smoke – because the small herrings are smoked for “Kieler Sprotten”. The cooking method gives their skin a golden shimmering color and you can enjoy the fish whole.

“False anchovies” are similarly famous. For this, sprats are salted and then packed in cans. This increases durability enormously. Speaking of which: sprats are also available frozen. At the same time, you can of course enjoy the small fish fresh. Like sardines, they can be fried in flour after turning them over – or you can simply put them on the grill. Sprats can also be filleted. As with other fish, be careful not to break the cold chain after purchasing it, and prepare it relatively quickly. In addition to Labskaus and kale, sprats are an integral part of Nordic cuisine.

So why not serve them with a layered mini herring salad or after an elderberry soup. You will get to know these and other ideas through our recipes from northern German cuisine. If you fancy a different traditional fish dish, try our smoked trout.