Five proven ways to buy the best Seafood around
Not fresh, transportation issues. Its not your problem. You
deserve quality, let us show you how.
Seafood is a wide range of different types of items from
shellfish to salmon and they each have their own characteristics
when fresh. If you know these characteristics you will know how
to make sure you buy good seafood.
When you buy seafood everyone know that fresh is the best. But,
you may think that when the grocery store sells you fresh shrimp
that it is fresh. But, how long ago was it harvested? How soon
was it frozen before sent to your local store? Was it only
packed in dry ice and sent by truck? All of these things need to
be taken into consideration when you are buying “fresh” seafood.
1.“Flash Frozen” is the best method to keep your seafood as
fresh as possible. . Flash frozen is when the seafood is frozen
within just a few hours of harvesting to ensure the quality,
flavor and freshness. If the seafood has been prepared in this
fashion, then when it arrives to the store it will still have
that fresh taste and aroma that your desire.
2.When you buy frozen seafood of any kind, first look at the
expiration date. The seafood should be frozen solid and there
should be no discoloration. If there is an odor it should be
fresh and mild. Look at the packaging, it should fit tight
around the seafood, the wrapping should be moist and vapor
proof. Also, look for any damages to the packaging, tears in the
plastic, un-wrapped edges, water stains, or ice crystals. Water
stains and ice crystals are a sign that the seafood has thawed
and been re-frozen.
3.When buying fresh fish filets and fish steaks the flesh should
be moist, firm, elastic, and have the fresh cut look. Look for
edges turning dry or dark, this would be a clear sign on a not
for fresh filet. The odor should also be fresh and mild. Always
look at the packaging, it should not be tight around the fish
filets or fish steaks and there should be no liquid in the
wrapping or container.
4.Fresh whole fish should have a bright a shiny appearance. The
scales should be intact and adhere tightly to the skin. Pay
attention to the markings and colors of the fish. These fade and
become less pronounced as the fish loses its freshness. The eyes
are another indicator to freshness; they should be bright, clear
and full and in some types of fish even protruding. The gills
should also be bright red. Over time the gills turn from bright
red to pink, to grey and then to a green or brown color. There
should be only a faint fish odor. That strong fishy smell
happens over time. The stronger the odor the less fresh the fish
. 5.Talk with the butcher, he can tell you where the fish came
from and maybe even when they were harvested.
Now, when you go to buy your seafood for the next dinner party
you will have some suggestion on how to make sure you are buying
good seafood.
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