How to Select Fresh Seafood

When it comes to selecting seafood, freshness is key. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting to explore the world of seafood, knowing how to select fresh fish can make all the difference. It's recommended to develop a good relationship with an experienced and trustworthy fishmonger, and if possible buy your seafood the same day you are planning to prepare it.

Here are some essential tips to ensure you're choosing the freshest seafood for quality and flavor.

Whole Fish

1. Check the Eyes: The eyes of a fresh fish should be clear and bright, not cloudy or sunken. This is a good indicator of freshness.

2. Inspect the Gills: Fresh fish will have gills that are vibrant red. If the color of the gills appear faded, brown, or have excess slime, it's a sign that the fish is not as fresh as it should be. Ask your fishmonger to show you the gills and check for yourself.

3. Look at the Skin: The skin of the fish should be moist and tight. If it has scales, they should be shiny, firmly adhering to the body, and difficult to pull off. This indicates that the fish has been properly handled, stored, and is still in good condition.

4. Feel the Flesh: Fresh fish should be firm to the touch and spring back when gently pressed. If it feels mushy or leaves an indentation when pressed, it's best to avoid it. Ask your fishmonger to perform this for you or feel for yourself.

5. Smell the Fish: This cannot be overstated and should never be overlooked. Fresh fish should not have a "fishy'"odor. Instead, it should smell like the ocean or have a mild, fresh and clean scent. If gutted and cleaned, smell the belly for any odor or unpleasantness.

Fish Fillets

Fish fillets and steaks should smell clean and the color should be uniform, with a moist firm quality and sheen. When gently pressed, fresh fillet meat is resilient to the touch (feel free to ask your fishmonger to do this). White fish should be almost translucent and upon closer look, the blood vessels should be red rather than brown (brown indicates exposure).

Salmon, most of which is farmed, should be vivid orange while wild salmon noticeably more red. Tuna's red color, on-the-other-hand, shouldn't be as vivid. This means it hasn't been bled enough, resulting in a stronger fish flavor than most enjoy. Avoid, dry, dull, or brown tinted fish, indicating an old product or improper handling.

Shellfish

Whether fresh or frozen, any hint of an ammonia-like smell is an indicator of poor handling, storage, or less-than-fresh shellfish. Ideally, shellfish should have a fresh, clean smell, and be purchased alive, lasting several days under the right storage conditions. Crustaceans like crabs and lobsters should be lively, otherwise their flesh will be mushy and soft. Shrimp are typically frozen then thawed before they are sold, so buying them with their shells on is recommended. Their shells should be shiny and bright, and their flesh should be translucent and firm. If shrimp shells are opaque and appear dry they may be damaged or freezer burned.

With bivalves like clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops, make sure that they are closed, otherwise give them a little tap, which should result in them closing immediately. They should be weighty, indicating seawater inside. For further inspection, tap individual oysters together to gauge the density inside the shell, avoiding the ones that sound hollow and light.

Take Home

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you're selecting the freshest seafood available. Inspect seafood for freshness, ask your local fishmonger questions, and keep it cold to preserve the value of your fresh seafood. Remember, the quality of your ingredients will elevate your cooking and make meals more enjoyable for friends and family.

For those looking to buy fresh salmon, tuna, or any fish from local seafood markets, FreshAIG offers a convenient merchant directory and online marketplace to help you find the freshest seafood near you. If these tips were useful, share them using #FreshAIG on your favorite social media platform and visit FreshAIG.com to include more seafood into your diet.