Basa fish species is one type of catfish that comes under the Pangasiidae family. Some regions of Mainland Southeast Asia ( Chao Phraya and Mekong ) are the native of basa fish. In the international market, basa is counted as one of the essential edible fish. Some countries consume basa fish as a cheap alternative to haddock and cod because they have a similar texture and taste.
Another famous name that is primarily used in the United States is Bocourti. It is also known as swai, Vietnamese cobbler, river cobbler, pangasius, etc. the flesh of basa fish has a mild flavor of fish and a firm, light texture. Many people use it as a boneless fish fillet.
You can see many basa fish farming in the Mekong river’s surrounding areas for export purposes.
You can collect so much information about basa fish from the below article. Like – basa fish in Telugu, its cost, availability, popularity, nutritional value of basa fish, health benefits, and many more.
| English name | Basa fish |
| Telugu name | Keluthi Meen |
| Scientic name | Pangasius bocourti |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Family | Pangasiidae |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Order | Siluriformes |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Genus | Pangasius |
Basa fish in Telugu name
Keluthi Meen is the Telugu name of the basa fish. If you are in a good Tamil-telling area and want to buy basa fish, then you must ask Keluthi Meen. The local people may not understand the word basa fish. But they can quickly know the name basa if you are in a city area or restaurant. The menus of all most all restaurants contain basa fish recipes.
Basa fish has a firm texture, and the color of its flesh is light pink. Basa has a small head, a broad frame, and a single bone. It is the best alternative to haddock and cod economically. You can harvest basa quickly in fish farms and wild rivers at low expenses.
Products of Basa fish
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Nutritional value of basa fish
Basa fish contains a lot of high-quality protein and low-calorie content like white fish. One hundred twenty-six grams serving of basa fish can provide –
| Nutrients | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 158 kcal |
| Fat | 7 grams |
| Protein | 22.5 grams |
| Saturated fat | 2 grams |
| Carbs | 0 grams |
| Sodium | 90 mg |
| Cholesterol | 73 mg |
Those who follow some diet plan to lose weight can consume white fish, including basa fish. It is a suitable food for them because of its high protein and low-calorie content. The amount of unsaturated fat in 126 grams of basa fish is 5 grams. It includes EPA and DHA, which are the best examples of omega-3 fatty acids.
One of the essential fat is omega – 3 fatty acids, which helps to maintain the health of the human brain and body. But compared to mackerel and salmon, basa fish has low omega – 3 fatty acid content.
Health benefits of basa fish
Basa is a white fish with not many calories but high protein content. It provides many health benefits, including low heart disease risk and longevity.
1. It makes the life span longer
according to some studies, people who eat more fish, including basa, have longer lives. As per a particular study, more omega – 3 fatty acid content help to live 2 to 3 years more than at least omega – 3 content.
Leaner fish and oily fish like basa fish have the highest omega-3 fatty acids content. Basa can fulfill the good fat content which your body needs. If you want to maintain a balanced diet, then you should intake the required basa fish regularly.
2. It can decrease certain heart disease risks
most doctors and dieticians advise eating fish, including basa. As per a survey, those people who have low heart disease risks who eat fish regularly. The benefits you gain from basa fish are due to its high content of omega – 3 fatty acids.
The lower cholesterol level in your body is directly linked to consuming leaner fish. It also helps to maintain your heart healthy. In case of decreasing risks of heart diseases, basa fish may also contain some other aspects.
3. It contains high protein in good quality
like other white fishes, basa contains a good amount of high-quality protein. You can get various health benefits from protein. Protein helps to produce essential enzymes and repair and grow human body tissues.
You can get 22.5 grams of complete and high-quality protein content from a serving of 126 grams of basa fish. The human body needs nine critical amino acids from the diet, and basa fish contains all of them.
4. Basa fish contains low calories
it is a fantastic food source for those who want to lose weight because of its low-calorie content. A serving of 126 grams of basa fish contains only 160 calories.
The protein content of basa fish may help keep you full for a long time compared to other animal protein sources ( beef, chicken ).
5. It helps in the weight loss process
it is helpful in the weight loss process because of its low fat, calorie, and high protein content. Those people should consume basa and try to decrease their intake of calories. It also helps to cut down the excess fat stored in your body. So if you aim to lose excessive weight, consult your dietician and add the right amount of basa fish to your diet.
6. It has low carbohydrate content
like other animal foods, basa fish has low carbohydrate content, making it an ideal food for diet-conscious people. It is a fantastic food option for lunch. You don’t feel sleepy or lethargic after consuming basa fish. You can eat basa fish for lunch or dinner and feel energized for the whole day.
7. It is helpful for Asthmatic patients
in the past, there was a study based on asthmatic mice. In the study, that mice consumed basa fish for a long time. It helps to aggravate pulmonary inflammation and shape the colonic communities of bacteria in those mice. So it is said that basa fish is helpful for those suffering from asthma.
8. It helps to improve the brain’s health
it has been proved that you can improve your brain health by consuming fish regularly. Docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) helps to boost brain health which is present in basa fish. DHA also helps to grow neural cells directly. Omega – 3 fatty acid plays a vital role and is an excellent source of basa fish to normalize the brain’s functions and make it efficient.
If you adequately consume DHA, it helps to improve the ability to learn, boosts memory power, and decreases cognitive decline rates. To increase the level of DHA in your body, you must consume basa fish and other DHA-rich food regularly.
9. It helps maintain blood pressure
A high blood pressure patient should strictly avoid sodium-rich foods. A serving of 100 grams of basa fish contains 48 mg of sodium, which is very low. So high blood pressure patients can also have basa fish in their diet without hesitation.
10. It has various minerals
potassium and zinc are excellent sources of minerals present in basa fish. Potassium and zinc are essential minerals that help heal injured tissues, regulate the balance of electrolytes, and boost immunity power.
References- healthline.com
Side effects of Basa fish
In extreme conditions, basa fish can survive. From contaminated water, basa fish absorbs nutrients. So there is a high chance that it may host toxins in it. So if you consume basa fish in excess quantity, it may cause chemical toxicity.
Sometimes, basa fish has pathogenic bacteria due to the drug residues. It may lead to food poisoning. So cook basa fish properly on high heat before consumption.
Cost of basa fish in Telugu areas
Basa fish is one of the cheapest fish that is so popular worldwide because of its pricing. You can buy 1 kg of basa fish by spending around Rs 200 to Rs 225 in India. The cause of the cheap pricing of basa fish is its low harvesting and growing costs.
Its import cost is also cheap. The maximum cost for 1 kg basa fish in Tamil Nadu and Chennai is Rs 250. You can also buy basa fish from online marts. They provide some discount. The cost may vary according to the area from where you buy and the place ( fish mandi or supermarket).
Popularity and availability of basa fish in Telugu-telling area ( Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, etc.)
You can find plenty of Indian basa fish throughout the years from the freshwater sources of India, like Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. It is well known for its mild flavor and sweet taste. As per a study, basa fish is widely consumed in some cities of Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada). Because basa fish is easy to harvest, there is no insufficiency of basa in the Indian fish market.
Basa fish is available in India widely. Because of its cheap pricing, it attracts people towards it. Its great taste, firm texture, nutritional value, high protein content, and many health benefits are some other regions responsible for its popularity among Indian people, including South India.
Recipes of Basa fish in telugu areas
As you know, basa fish is very versatile. You can make so many different fish recipes by using basa fish. Batter fried basa fish, lemony baked basa, grilled basa fish, spicy baked basa, pan-fried basa, crispy fried bas, basa fish curry, sweet dijon basa fillet, basa fish curry with coconut milk, steamed basa are some famous basa fish recipes.
South Indian people love to cook basa fish with their particular species and Tadka. Kerala-style basa fish curry is very famous among South people. They love to add coconut milk or tamarind in their fish recipes for a unique South Indian touch.
Conclusion
A white fish basa is a native of Southeast Asia and a fantastic source of healthy fats ( omega – 3 fatty acids ) and high-quality protein. It is a famous fish variety worldwide because of its mild taste, firm/flaky texture, and low price. Basa fish has played an essential role among diet-conscious people over the years. This versatile fish is very suitable for those people who follow the keto diet.
Eating basa fish in excess quantity can lead to food poising. So you should consult your dietician or doctors before adding it to your daily diet chart.
Hope you got all kinds of information about basa fish from the above article. Like – basa fish in Telugu, its cost, availability, popularity, health benefits of basa fish, nutritional value, and many more.
Frequently asked questions
Can you consider basa as an excellent fish to eat?
The white fish basa is an excellent quality protein source that contains healthy fats ( omega – 3 fatty acids). Its texture is flaky and firm, its taste is mild, and its cost is affordable. All these factors make basa a popular fish all over the world. So you can consider basa as a good fish option to consume.
Where do you find basa fish in India?
Basa fish is a mild and sweet fish which is also known as Pangasius fish. You can find this freshwater fish from Orissa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh water sources.
What is the eating procedure of basa fish?
Basa can be eaten pan-fried, deep-fried, or steamed. Because it is a versatile fish, it can blend with so many Indian spices perfectly to prepare a rich flavored dish. You have to cook basa perfectly to get its rich flavor. To remove the impurities and toxins, you must always prepare basa on high heat. You can consume basa atleast once a week without any hesitation. It is full of protein and omega – 3 fatty acids.
What is the reason for the affordability of basa fish?
You can easily grow and harvest basa fish in all most all kinds of water. Their food is also very cheap or free of cost. They can survive on plants or even contaminated water. Harvesting basa fish does not require much effort. They can live irrespective of conditions and requires less maintenance. Because of all the above regions, basa fish is very affordable.
What are the benefits of basa fish ?
1. It is high in protein content.
2. It has a considerable amount of omega – 3 fatty acids ( EPA and DHA ).
3. It is low in sodium.
4. It helps to build muscle mass.
5. It maintains the health of the brain and heart.
6. It helps to lose weight.
7. It helps to boost the regulations of blood pressure.
