Are you just getting into the pescatarian lifestyle and have no idea how to shop for fish? Have you ever been impressed by someone accurately assessing how old a fish is just by touching it? If you wish to learn all the tricks for buying fresh seafood, this blog functions as the complete guide. Let’s start building your seafood judgment skills!
Best Tips For Selecting The Best Seafood
Here are the top 8 tips on choosing the best catch when it comes to fishes, shrimps, calamari, and crustaceans:
1. Firm To Touch
The fish, fillet, or calamari should be firm to touch. You can assess this by squeezing it with your fingers and checking if it bounces back. However, if it does not go back to its original shape and instead goes limp and feels torn, it is likely not fresh.
2. No Blemishes or Bruising
This applies to all types of fish, fillets, calamari, crabs, shrimp, and other crustaceans. If there is significant bruising or blemishes on the meat, it is likely to start spoiling. Another telltale sign of spoilage in shrimps is the blackened edges or black spots on their outer shells. Additionally, in lobsters, you need to look for the tail to curl tightly. If it hangs limply, the lobster may already be dead.
3. No Smelly Scent
Most kinds of seafood do not have a strong smell unless they start to go bad; therefore, this is something that you can look out for. So, remember, if seafood smells fishy, it is probably not fresh. Similarly, a sour iodine smell in scallops is indicative of spoilage.
4. Check For Clear Eyes
Clear eyes are another sign that your seafood is fresh. If the eyes are cloudy, sunken in, or blackened, it is a sign that the fish has been out of its natural habitat for quite a few days.
5. Red Gills
Focusing more on fish, make sure that the gills of your whole fish are red and not grey or pale. The reason for this is that fishes that have been out of the water long start to lose their natural color so grey or pale gills may be a sign of a stale fish.
6. Moist Appearance
The meat of any kind of seafood should have a moist appearance. The best way to gauge this is by looking at a cut of the fish and pressing your finger into the meat; in the case of shellfish, you can just go by the appearance of the shells. This will give you an accurate idea as to how freshly caught the fish is. If the meat feels dry or not covered with clear liquor, as in the case of crustaceans, it may be best to avoid buying that fish altogether.
7. No Cracked Or Open Shells
Cracked shells or slightly open shells in clams, oysters, or mussels may be a sign that they might be going stale. Additionally, their neck should have some kind of movement if the vendor is claiming to sell live crustaceans.
8. Ask About The Quality
Although it is not smart to just make your decision based on someone’s word, you can always get an idea as to how fresh seafood is by talking to the vendor selling it. If you are buying from a grocery store, ask an employee working in the seafood section, and if you are buying from an online vendor like Sea Food Boss, call their helpline to ask.
The Best Place for Buying Fresh Seafood in Sydney!
The only place that provides fresh seafood delivery in Sydney is Sea Food Boss. All our fishes, oysters, clams, mussels, lobsters, calamari, bugs, crabs, shrimp, and prawns are freshly caught and delivered for your convenience. We even provide cold-serve seafood platters with dressings and sauces for parties.
To Wrap Up
We hope that these tips have helped you become a seafood expert and make the right choices when buying seafood. Remember to always trust your senses, ask questions, and buy from reliable sources like Sea Food Boss. Now, you can confidently go out and pick the best seafood for your family and friends. So, get ready to impress them with your fresh seafood dishes!
