Some Tips To Choose the Fresh Fish & Fresh Seafood

Do you want to buy the freshest product that you can?

Fresh fish and seafood are not only some of the most expensive items in the store, but they are also some of the most perishable.

First, make sure the market or store should be clean. Try to look to make sure that the fish and shellfish are properly iced and do ask if anything was previously frozen.

What to Look for When Buying Fish and Shellfish

Whole Fish

• Smell – there should be no fishy smell.
• Eyes – Bright and clear
• Color – No browning around the belly cavity
• Gills – Bright red or pink – no mucus
• Flesh – Should be firm and should bounce back when you press it
• Scales – Tight to the body of the fish
• Skin – Should look shiny

Fish Fillets & Steaks

• Smell – there should be no fishy smell.
• Color – No browning on the edges of the meat.
• Skin – Bright with no milky substance
• Flesh – Should be translucent. The surface should not be sticky.

Shrimp

• Smell – There should be no fishy smell.
• Meat – Should be firm. The legs should be intact.
• Color – No browning or blackening on the edges

Crawfish

• Alive – Although they tend to come shipped in sacks, they should be alive.
• Throw out any dead ones before you cook them.

Lobster

• Alive – it should be active and lively
• You should buy lobster from a lobster pound or a seafood market that has lobsters delivered daily.

Blue Crab

• Alive – The legs should be moving.
• Body – No cracks in the body, claws, or edible legs.
• Smell – There should be no fishy smell.

Oysters, Clams and Mussels

• Alive – with tightly closed shells
• Smell – No fishy smell.
• Shells – no cracks in the shells

Scallops

• Smell – Should have a sweet smell. If they smell sour, then they are spoiled.
• Texture – should be firm and not mushy.
• Color – Should be ivory, light pink or white with no evidence of browning.

Squid

• Skin – No tears in the skin
• Meat – should be firm
• Eyes – clear and full

If you have any tips to choose the Fresh Fish & Fresh Seafood, please give us a comment below. Thanks!