How to Buy Fresh Seafood

The first step in cooking the most delicious seafood meal is finding the freshest ingredients. If you want to impress your guests with the best shellfish or fish, you need to learn how to buy fresh seafood.  

If you aren’t sure how to do it, don’t worry. We are here to help.  

Many homeowners are confused or intimidated by learning how to purchase seafood. However, the most crucial thing to know is that it’s fine to ask questions. You shouldn’t be scared to ask the person behind the counter. They can help you determine what type of fish you want, how to store it, and how to cook it.  

Before you find the best seafood box delivery service out there, here are several tips you should consider when buying the freshest seafood on the market: 

Follow Your Nose 

Whether you are purchasing oysters, crabs, mackerel, or other aquatic food, you can and should always count on your nose. 

According to experts, there are a couple of key smells you need to consider. For example, fish filets will only smell bad if they are spoiled. Else, the odor should only be mild.  

Mussels and clams typically smell a bit sweet. However, you can also smell the same to almost all types of shellfish. Usually, you can get a hint of sea breeze when you smell fresh shellfish.  

On the other hand, raw shrimp meat has a milder odor. However, visual indications are typically more reliable indications of spoiling. This includes random spotting and blackened edges. 

Be Hands-on 

Usually, people use their eyes to see the freshness of fish. However, a couple of professionals also recommend that you spend time checking the rest of your tuna or salmon. Try to poke the fish a couple of times. You want to feel wet and cold flesh that is not sticky.  

Within several seconds of poking it, the flesh should spring back.  Move on to the gills next. Brighter colors mean fresher fish in general. However, you should also ensure the gills are not too slimy. You can also apply this idea to its scales. A fresh fish should have shiny scales.  

Keep in mind that soft scales are an indication of old fish. You want the scales to be as firm as possible.  

Use Your Eyes 

Purchasing whole fish doesn’t only save you money, it also provides more of the fish that you can use to cook with.  

However, if you’re planning to buy a whole mackerel or flounder, professionals recommend you examine the state of the eyes.  

If you want the freshest fish possible, you should check the eyes. Make sure they are wet and plump. It should have no clouding. Oftentimes, the eyes are the first to go when the fish starts to go bad. Murky-looking eyes are a sign of foul fish.  

In addition to that, the eyes might start to shrivel or sink in. If this is the case, it means that the fish isn’t viable anymore. You should not buy that fish.  

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