Despite being around for centuries (John Ross Jr’s brick kilns, for example, were smoking salmon as far back as 1857) smoked salmon is now the most popular it has ever been.

Why then has it taken so long for it to become a popular dish not just within the UK but also worldwide? Recent reports suggest that since 1993, the value of farmed salmon has risen by five times and the worldwide retail value of Scottish farmed salmon is currently over £1 billion.

Now, in 2014, those looking to buy smoked salmon online are faced with a huge range of smoked salmon and smoked fish products. So, what’s behind this massive leap in demand?

Having smoked salmon for decades we’ve seen a number of peaks however this trend only seems to be going one way. Here are three points as to why we think smoked salmon continues to rise in popularity.

1.    Less luxury, more lifestyle

The days of smoked salmon being reserved purely for the festive season now seem to be over. Whilst sales are still very much seasonal (according to a recent story Sainsbury’s predicts that it will sell over 1.7 million packs of smoked salmon at Christmas), smoked salmon has become more accessible and faces greater demand all year round. From ready-made party snacks and canapés to an abundance of sushi platters now available everywhere, smoked salmon now has a wider presence in shops, delis and supermarkets throughout the UK.

2.    ‘Foodies’ are growing in numbers

Not only are tastes changing but attitudes to quality of food are, too. There is now a growing move towards quality over quantity and people are increasingly committed to buying food with a rich history and strong provenance. Food is becoming less about function. It’s now about pleasurable experiences, socialising and, of course, the taste. Smoked salmon sits across all three.

3.    It’s healthy

In an age where people are more conscious than ever before about what they put in (or what they don’t put in) their body, smoked salmon is very much at home. A high protein content combined with the fact that it’s a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids make smoked salmon a healthy – and tasty – food.

As smoked salmon’s popularity rises so too does the number of producers looking to capitalise on this surge in demand. If you’re looking to buy salmon online we would recommend that you make sure it’s locally sourced from the cold, clear waters of sustainable farms – preferably off the coast of  North West Scotland  where it is rugged and remote. Here, the salmon will be hand reared and fed by hand and the farms’ low stocking densities will ensure that the fish have the room to move freely and grow up healthily.

Finally, to fully ensure you buy a smoked salmon packed with a natural smoky flavour and tender texture, choose a smoked salmon that has been naturally cold smoked in traditional brick kilns if possible – a notable difference in the final taste.