Fresh seafood is highly perishable, so it’s essential to purchase it when in season and store in your fridge. But knowing what to look for when buying fresh fish or shellfish can be tricky. Here’s what to look out for when shopping:
1. Smelling
The most reliable way to tell if a piece of fish is fresh is by its smell. Unlike frozen or canned products, which may develop an ammonia-like odor over time, fresh seafood should have the pleasant, invigorating scent of sea air.
2. EXAMINING DETAILEDLY
When purchasing seafood, take your time and examine each item for any signs of deterioration or decay. This includes checking the appearance of the meat, gills and eyes; a high quality piece should have bright red gills and firm flesh with no discoloration or darkening around the edges.
3. EYES
A fish’s eyes should be crystal-clear, plump and slightly bulging. If they appear cloudy or sunken, this is a sign that it’s not very fresh.
4. FEELING
Fresh fish should feel firm and spring back when you press it, making it easy to cut. If it feels slack, brittle or flabby, this could indicate staleness and could have gone bad.
5. TAKE A QUICK LOOK
Another good way to judge fish freshness is by holding it in your hand and feeling for firmness, shine and red gills that spring back when pressed. A piece of fish should be fresh if its structure feels firm and glossy with clean red gills that spring back when you press it.
6. Examining the Shells
In addition to inspecting a fish’s eyes and gills, inspect its shells as well. Mussels and clams should have tightly closed shells that close quickly when tapped with your finger; if they appear open, cracked, or just slightly loose, throw them away.
When purchasing shellfish, check for tags and labels that indicate whether it was caught or farmed. If they were, this indicates the fish has likely been processed at a reputable facility, making it safe to eat and that its harvest and handling was done correctly.
7. SHOPPING AT A TRUSTED STORE
A trustworthy seafood store should have a clean, well-stocked fish counter. Display should be neatly organized with no fish pieces lying near or on top of fillets.
8. SEARCHING YOUR CHOICES
Finally, before buying any seafood, take into account any allergies you have to specific types of fish and shellfish. Finfish and crustaceans are among the eight most common allergens, accounting for 90 percent of allergy symptoms. If these foods trigger your symptoms, it’s best to steer clear of them altogether.
If you’re uncertain about what to eat or whether it’s safe, reach out to your local health department and ask for more information. They can give helpful suggestions on how to cook seafood safely.