Introduction
If you ever traveled to the Middle East or Gulf, you must have come across Hamour – Ghissar fish in fine dining restaurant menus. A very bulky fish, Hamour is one of the major seafood exports from Pakistan. Hamour – Ghissar is a vast category of fish and several types of Hamour are abundant in Pakistan. Loved throughout the world because of its sweet flavor, Hamour is a very versatile cooking option.
Flavor Profile
Hamour is a lean, moist fish with a distinctive yet mild flavor. Hamour meat has large flakes and a firm texture. Hamour’s flavor profile is like a cross between Barramundi and Halibut. Even though it is lean, this fish is forgiving during cooking and can be rather difficult to “overcook” in the sense of drying out. Fillets hold together well enough for poaching if handled gently and they flake apart very easily on the plate. It is easy to de-bone completely and an ideal fish for the most delicate culinary situations.
Nomenclature
English Name: Hamour , Grouper
Local Name: Gissar , Chunni, Nambo, Lotari
Scientific Name: Epinephelus bleekeri
Family: Serranidae
Habitat
Hamour is a Sea fish that lives in the benthic region on shallow banks and adjacent soft substrate in depths of 30–105 m.
Catching Method
Hamour is caught using Gillnets and Line Gears.
Physical Attributes
Hamour has Scales on the body. Body depth is 3.0–3.5 in SL, preopercle serrate with 2–9 enlarged serrate at the angle, anal fin with 3 spines and 8–9 soft rays, 17–19 pectoral-fin rays, caudal fin margin truncate to slightly rounded.
Color
Brownish to purplish grey with numerous Black-Brown spots (about half pupil diameter in adults) on head, body, dorsal fin, and upper third of caudal fin.
Size
On average, the Hamour size range is 1 kg to 5 kg per fish. However, other sizes are also occasionally available.
Cutting Preferences
Hamour is preferred for slices, boneless billets, boneless biscuits, and boneless finger
Approx. Cutting Yields
Whole: 100 %
Gutted: 84 %
Headless and Gutted: 61 %
Slices: 67 %
Boneless: 38 %
Cooking Preferences
Hamour is preferred to grill, bbq, curry, steam, and fry
Health Benefits
Heart friendly
Lowers Blood Pressure
Improves Immune System
Strengthens the bones
Improves Skin and Hair health
