What Are Kippers?

Kippers are a traditional, British seafood dish consisting of a herring that has been split, gutted, salted, and cold-smoked. The name Kipper is derived from the old English word “kyper”, which means “to cure”. Kippers are often served as part of a traditional English breakfast, but are also popular at all times of day.

History of Kippers

Kippers have become an iconic, British dish, but there is much debate about their exact origins. Some argue that the dish traveled to Britain from Holland in the 1800s. Others believe kippers were invented in the British Isles, and may have originally been a way of using the plentiful supply of herring that the seaside communities traditionally relied on for food.

Regardless of where their origins lie, Kippers have been popular for centuries, and have become a part of traditional British cuisine. The term ‘kippering’ is also used to describe the process of smoking or curing any type of fish, not just herring.

Enjoy Chopped Kippers

Kippers can be served in many ways. They can be eaten cold or grilled, fried, or poached. Canned, chopped kippers are a popular convenience food that can be added to salads, omelettes, or fish pies. The kippers can be cooked either in or out of their shells, and are treated like normal, fresh herring. If cooked in the shell, this adds an attractive presentation to the cooked dish.

Kippers also make a tasty addition to fish cakes or fish fingers, and can be served in sandwiches as part of a picnic.

Kippers are a tasty and affordable seafood dish, and are a must-try for those visiting the United Kingdom. Whether you enjoy them as part of your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as part of an afternoon snack, Kippers are always a delicious and flavor-filled treat.