Seafood is one of the foods you can cook at home. It is also one of the hardest to buy. The freshness of seafood makes all the difference in how it tastes the texture of seafood and the safety of seafood.
When you are shopping for fish, shellfish or crustaceans here is how to make sure you are picking the quality seafood every time.
1. Trust Your Nose
The smell of seafood is the way to judge the freshness of seafood. Seafood smells like the ocean. It should have a smell that is like the sea. If it smells “fishy” or sour that is not good. It means the seafood is not fresh.
The smell of shellfish should be mild. If it smells like ammonia that is not good. It means the shellfish is not fresh.
2. Examine the Eyes of the fish
The eyes of the fish tell you a lot about how ago the fish was caught. You should look for eyes that are bulging. If the eyes are cloudy or sunken that is not good. It means the fish is not fresh.
The color of the eyes of the fish is also important. The eyes should be bright. If they are dull or gray that means the fish is old.
3. Check the Gills of the fish
The gills of the fish are a way to tell if the fish is fresh. You should look for gills that’re red or pink. That means the fish was caught recently. If the gills are gray that is not good. It means the fish has been sitting for long.
If you cannot see the gills of the fish you should ask the person selling the fish to check them.
4. Assess the Flesh of the fish
The texture of the fish tells you a lot about the freshness of the fish. The flesh of the fish should be firm. It should bounce back when you press it gently.
There should be no dents on the flesh of the fish. If you press the flesh of the fish and your fingerprint stays, that is not good. It means the fish is old.
The flesh of the fish should be moist not slimy. It should have a shine. If it has a slime that is not good.
5. Inspect Shellfish Carefully
Shellfish is different from fish. You need to check it in a way.
Live shellfish should close when you tap them. If they do not close they may be dead and not safe to eat.
Shrimp should look clear. If they have spots or smell bad that is not good.
You should check the shells of the shellfish. If the shells are cracked or broken that is not good. It means the shellfish were not handled well.
6. Consider the Source of the seafood
Where the seafood comes from is important. It affects the freshness of the seafood. If it is good for the environment.
You should buy seafood from people who sell it regularly. They usually handle the seafood better. Sell it faster.
You should ask when the seafood was caught. Fresh seafood should be sold within a day or two of being caught.
You should look for labels that say the seafood was caught in a way that’s good for the environment.
7. Frozen seafood Can Be Fresh Too
Just because seafood is frozen does not mean it is not fresh.
Seafood that is frozen away is still fresh. Many fish are frozen soon as they are caught. This helps keep the quality of the seafood.
You should check the seafood for ice. If there is much ice that means the seafood was not stored well.
The seafood should be packaged tightly. This helps keep it fresh and prevents freezer burn.
8. Trust Your Fishmonger
The person who sells you the seafood can help you buy seafood.
You should ask them questions. A good seller of seafood will tell you where it came from and how it was handled.
You should ask what seafood is fresh that day. This can help you buy the seafood.
You should get to know the person who sells you the seafood. If you go back to them often they can help you find the seafood.
Final Thoughts
Buying seafood is, about using your senses. You need to look at the eyes of the fish the flesh of the fish the gills of the fish and smell the seafood.
Whether you are buying fish, fillets or shellfish paying attention to these things will help you bring home the seafood for your next meal.
Thanks
