What is the Difference Between Nova Lox and Smoked Salmon

The main difference between Nova Lox and smoked salmon is that Nova lox is a popular type of cold-smoked salmon made from a type of salmon found in Nova Scotia, while smoked salmon is a salmon fillet that has been cured and smoked (either hot or cold).

Nova Lox and smoked salmon are two popular delicacies. Although they are similar, there is a distinct difference between Nova Lox and smoked salmon.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Nova Lox 
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is Smoked Salmon
     – Definition, Features 
3. Difference Between Nova Lox and Smoked Salmon
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Nova Lox, Salmon, Smoked SalmonDifference Between  Nova Lox and Smoked Salmon - Comparison Summary

What is Nova Lox

Lox is a fillet of brined salmon. There are several varieties of lox, and Nova lox is one of them. Nova Lox is a type of salmon that comes from curing the fish in a milder brine and undergoing cold smoking. The name Nova traditionally refers to the origin of the species of salmon and the style of smoking. It is supposed to be cold-smoked salmon from Nova Scotia. However, most restaurants now use the term to refer to fish that come from other regions as well. But we always associate the name Nova Lox with cold smoking.

Nova Lox vs Smoked Salmon

It takes several days to make Nova Lox as the smoking process is somewhat long. In the cold smoking process, the burning wood and smoke are away from the salmon but blown over the fish from afar. Nova Lox has a silky, buttery texture with a characteristic smokiness. Moreover, we generally make lox from the belly of salmon.

What is Smoked Salmon

Smoked salmon is a salmon fillet that has been cured and smoked (either hot or cold). After the curing, manufacturers expose salmon to smoke to give it a complex woody flavor. Moreover, we can use any part of the salmon for this preparation.

Before smoking, salmon undergoes curing. Also, there are three main methods of curing: wet brining, dry curing, or injecting. Wet brining involves keeping the salmon in a solution of water, salt, sugar, spices, and sodium nitrite (sometimes) for a few hours or days. Curing, on the other hand, involves covering the salmon fillets with a mixture of salt and sugar. The salt can draw out the moisture from the fish. When salmon undergoes dry curing, it needs less time in the smokehouse. Injecting is the fastest method to cure the fish, but it can damage the delicate flesh of the fish.

Compare Nova Lox and Smoked Salmon - What's the difference?

Salmon can be either cold-smoked or hot-smoked. Moreover, these two smoking methods result in slightly different textures. Cold smoking salmon gives tender and nearly paper-thin fish. Hot smoking salmon, on the other hand, gives thicker slices of salmon that have a texture similar to cooked salmon.

Difference Between Nova Lox and Smoked Salmon

Definition

Nova lox is a popular type of cold-smoked salmon made from a type of salmon found in Nova Scotia. Smoked salmon, on the other hand, is a salmon fillet that has been cured and smoked (either hot or cold).

Smoking

Nova lox undergoes cold smoking, whereas smoked salmon can undergo either hot smoking or cold smoking.

Salmon

Nova Lox traditionally refers to salmon fillets made from salmon from Nova Scotia, but smoked salmon has no such geographical limitations.

Part of the Salmon

Generally, Nova Lox is made from the belly of salmon, whereas smoked salmon can be from any part of salmon.

Conclusion

The main difference between Nova Lox and smoked salmon is that Nova lox is a popular type of cold-smoked salmon made from a type of salmon found in Nova Scotia, while smoked salmon is a salmon fillet that has been cured and smoked (either hot or cold).

Reference:

1. Fuller, Janet Rausa. “Lox and Smoked Salmon: Not Actually the Same Thing.” Epicurious, 15 Mar. 2017.
2. “Smoked Salmon.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Jan. 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “2014 smoked salmon and egg salad toasted baguette” By Takeaway – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Nova Lox Bagel, The Bagelry, Potsdam NY” By Gary Stevens (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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