Tilapia is a popular and versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways. But how much do you know about this aquatic creature?

Here are ten unusual facts:

– Tilapia is not a single species, but a genus of over 100 different species of fish. They come in various colors, such as red, black, and blue.  

– Tilapia has been farmed since ancient Egyptian times and even has its own hieroglyph symbol. Some scholars believe tilapia was the fish Jesus fed to the crowds at the Sea of Galilee.   

-It’s one of the most environmentally friendly fish to farm, as it can eat algae and other plant-based foods, and does not require animal protein or antibiotics. It also has a low mercury content, making it safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.  

– It is sometimes called “aqua–chicken” or “frankenfish” because of its mild flavor, ease of preparation, and genetic editing potential. Some farmers use a hormone called methyltestosterone to ensure that their tilapia crop is male, as males grow faster and larger than females.   

– Tilapia can change their sex from female to male under certain conditions, such as high population density or lack of males. This helps them reproduce quickly and adapt to their environment.  

– Tilapia is the fourth most consumed fish in the United States, after tuna, salmon, and Alaskan pollock. It is also predicted to become one of the most farmed seafood products in the 21st century.  

-It is sometimes used as a substitute for red snapper in sushi restaurants, because of its similar taste and texture. It is also used to control mosquito larvae, duckweed, algae, and other pond-dwelling plants in tropical regions.  

– It has very low-fat and high-protein content, making it a nutritious choice for many diets. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health and brain function.  

– Tilapia are not very active fish and prefer to live in temperate, deep-water lakes where they can cuddle together. They are also tolerant of overcrowding and can live in any type of water, from fresh to brackish to saltwater.  

– The biggest tilapia catch on record was in Florida in 2014, and the fish weighed 10.7 lbs. The average tilapia weighs between 2 to 6 lbs. The fisherman who caught the record-breaking tilapia threw it back into the water, not knowing its value.  

Some additional Info

– Tilapia is one of the oldest fish in the world, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, who farmed it and used it in their religious rituals. They even had a special hieroglyph for tilapia, which can be seen in some of their tombs.  

Costco became the first national chain to stock fresh tilapia in 2005.

– Tilapia is not just one fish, but a group of over 100 species belonging to the cichlid family. They are native to Africa and the Middle East, but have been introduced to many other parts of the world, where they can adapt to various water conditions.  

It’s the world’s second most successfully farmed fish ( after carp), and the way it’s farmed is a model of sustainability (and imported tilapia must also meet USDA aquaculture standards).

– Tilapia is one of the most environmentally friendly fish to farm, as they can eat algae and other plant-based foods, and do not need antibiotics or hormones. They also have a low mercury content, making them safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.  

– Tilapia is a lean source of protein, with 26 grams of protein and only 128 calories per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health and brain function. It also has many vitamins and minerals, such as niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, selenium, and potassium.  

Here’s how four other popular proteins compare:

Chicken-I84 calories, 4 g fat

Salmon-236 calories, 3.5 g fat

Steak-248 calories, 6.8 g fat

Ham-279 calories, 7.5 g fat

– Tilapia is a versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways, such as baking, broiling, grilling, or frying. It has a mild and sweet flavor that can go well with different seasonings and sauces. Some popular tilapia recipes include garlic butter oven-baked tilapia, parmesan broiled tilapia, tilapia fish tacos, tilapia ceviche, bacon-wrapped tilapia, tilapia with tomatoes and green olives, and spinach-stuffed tilapia.

quick and Easy Recipes

Tilapia is a delicious and versatile fish that can be cooked in many ways. Whether you want to bake, broil, grill, or fry it, tilapia can be ready in minutes with just a few ingredients. Here are some tilapia recipes that you can try at home.

– Garlic Butter Oven Baked Tilapia: This easy recipe combines tilapia fillets with garlic, butter, lemon, and herbs for a flavorful and flaky dish. You can serve it with rice, potatoes, or salad for a complete meal. 

– Parmesan Broiled Tilapia: This recipe adds a cheesy and crispy crust to tilapia fillets using parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings. You can broil the fish for about 5 minutes until golden and bubbly. 

– Baked Tilapia with Lemon and Parmesan Cheese: similar to the previous one, but uses olive oil instead of butter and adds some paprika for a touch of spice. You can bake the fish for about 15 minutes until tender and flaky. 

– Tilapia Fish Tacos: Ideal for this; due to its mild flavor, tilapia works well with all kinds of salsas and other toppings. You can grill or pan-fry tilapia fillets with some taco seasoning and serve them on tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as cabbage slaw, avocado, cheese, and sour cream. 

– Tilapia Ceviche: This recipe is a refreshing and light appetizer or snack. You can marinate raw tilapia cubes in lime juice, onion, cilantro, salt, and pepper for about 20 minutes until the fish turns opaque. You can serve it with tortilla chips, crackers, or lettuce cups. 

Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia: Wrap the fillets in bacon and bake until the bacon is crisp. Serve with sauteed or steamed greens.

Tilapia with Tomatoes and Green Olives: Sprinkle the fillets with chopped tomatoes, green olives, garlic, and almonds. Drizzle with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and bake.

Spinach-Stuffed Tilapia: Spread sauteed spinach and crushed red pepper on fillets; roll up and secure with toothpicks. Brush with melted butter and bake.

Dippings and Coatings (or Dredgings)

This fish is also great for dipping, dredging, or a combo of the two.

Tilapia can be dipped in: Milk, Buttermilk, Egg whites, a Beaten Egg, Maple Syrup, Mustard, Teriyaki sauce, Honey, Yogurt, and Mayonnaise to name a few. after dipping, shake off the excess (prevent soggy crust).

It can be coated (or dredged) in Flour, Cornmeal, Bread crumbs, Grated Hard Cheese, Shredded Coconut, Crushed Cornflakes, Potato chips, Tortilla chips, Saltines or Crackers, Spices, or Chopped nuts.

as you’re coating, try to match the thin dippers (like milk) with the fine coatings (like flour, or grated cheese); match the thick dippers (like yogurt or mayo) with the coarse coatings (nuts, crushed chips).

Source: “Tilapia Nation” by Cheryl Slocum; recipes by Mary-Frances Heck-EveryDay with Rachael Ray, October 2013