A SALMON PRIMER

Of the five kinds of Alaska salmon, only the first three below regularly appear in most markets. The latter two are occasionally used in food service or within Alaska. The salmon season there is mid-May through October. Alaska provides more than 90 percent of the wild salmon harvested in North America.

• King (or chinook): from late May to early July; the largest salmon with the most omega-3.

• Red (or sockeye): from mid-May through September; red flesh.

• Silver (or coho): from mid-June through October; orange-red flesh.

• Pinks (or humpies): mid-June through September; smallest and most abundant of species, pink flesh.

• Chum (or dog or keta): June through September; low oil content.