What does narwhal taste like? In Iqaluit, it's a tasty way to help keep Inuit culture alive

The Current “Welcome to Iqaluit” - The Current in Canada’s North

At a store in Iqaluit, Ainia Nooshoota is trimming the fat from a batch of narwhal meat — a rare treat, freshly caught by hunters 750 kilometres away in northern Nunavut.

"Narwhal is not always available around this area, so I've always had beluga," said Nooshoota, manager of the Qinnirvik Country Food and Bulk Store.

"Some people cook it; I've always had it raw," she told Matt Galloway. "[It's] chewy. There's no real taste to it, but it's very good.… I love it."

Narwhal has been described as having a light, mild flavour with a chewy, tough texture. Though often consumed raw, it can also be cooked in seasoned stews or soups, with maktaaq — chunks of the skin and blubber — being a particular delicacy.

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