Buying fresh fish can often seem like a daunting task, particularly if you’re unsure what to look for. But with the right tips and tricks, you can easily differentiate between fresh and not-so-fresh fish. In this guide to buying fish, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know to ensure you get the freshest catch every time.
Choosing the Best Place to Buy Fish
Selecting where to purchase your fish is just as important as knowing what to look for in the fish itself. Always opt for reputable seafood markets or trusted suppliers, as they are more likely to handle their products with care. Wholesale seafood markets offer a wide variety, the best prices, and fish that is likely to be fresher due to high turnover.
If you are buying frozen fish, always check the packaging date and the "best before" date to ensure freshness.
Key Indicators of Fresh Fish
When buying fish, several physical characteristics can help you determine its freshness:
1. The Eyes:
The eyes should be clear and bright, not cloudy. Cloudy eyes indicate that the fish is not fresh, likely having been caught several days ago.
2. The Skin:
The skin of a fish can provide you with a lot of information about how fresh it is. The skin should have a shine... If it has been there for a long time, the skin will look drier. A fresh fish will have a bright appearance, metallic sheen, smooth surface, and be wet and glossy. Stay well away from fish that look wrinkled, dry, and dull since these characteristics are strong indicators that the fish is old and that its flesh has gone mushy.
3. The Gills:
Gills should be a rich, vibrant red. If they appear brown or black, the fish has passed its prime. Clean, blood-red gills are a good indication that the fish was recently caught.
4. The Touch Test:
The appearance of Rigor Mortis in the fish is almost always a reliable sign that the fish is nice and fresh. If you push down firmly on the fish’s skin with your fingertips, you should feel the flesh spring back, and your fingerprints disappear. If they don’t, and the indentation is still there, the fish is old, and the flesh has likely gone mushy.
However, it is crucial to keep in mind the species when pushing your finger straight into a naturally soft fish. The touch test does work, but it is not always accurate since it depends on the time of year and the fish. When the flesh is slinky, the flesh does not spring back. When we talk about a fish having “slinky” flesh, we mean that the fish’s flesh is particularly tender. This might happen to a fish species at the time of year when they are spawning and eat less.
4. The Smell:
Contrary to popular belief, fresh fish should not have a strong "fishy" smell. Instead, it should smell like the sea — fresh and salty. A pungent odour is a clear sign of fish that has not been properly stored.
5. The Flesh:
Fresh fish flesh should be firm and elastic, bouncing back when pressed. If the flesh leaves an indentation or feels mushy, it is a sign that the fish is old. For fillets and steak cuts, the flesh should look firm and moist, free from any bruising or dark red spots.
Storing Your Fish
While the best way to enjoy fish is to cook and eat it on the day you purchase it, sometimes that isn’t possible. If you need to store your fish, wrap it in waxed paper and keep it in the refrigerator for no more than a day or two. For longer storage, fish can be frozen for up to six months, but be aware that freezing may affect the texture and flavour slightly.
People love to eat fish not just because it tastes delicious but because it also has all the essential vitamins, minerals, and, most importantly- protein for a sound body and brain development.
And, you can harness nutrients only when your fish is fresh! Because a rotten or decaying fish not only lacks nutrients but also doesn't taste great. It may also cause you food poising!
So, let's talk about the things to consider before you buy fish from the wholesale seafood market for a mouthwatering taste and good health!
Whole Fish
If it is a whole fish, here are some tips to help you choose it fresh!
1) It should have clear and bright eyes and not be sunken!
2) Bright Red Gills and not any other colour
3) Scales should be firmly attached to the skin and not missing
4) It should feel slightly slippery with moist and shiny skin. Bright natural skin colour is always a good sigh
5) The flesh should be firm with a stiff tail
6) And last but not least, it should smell sea-fresh
Okay, not let's talk about other seafood.
ShellFish
Like the Whole fish, Shellfish also should not be broken or cracked. In addition, the Shells of Oysters and Mussels should be tightly shut/closed.
Lobsters, crabs, and prawns should be heavy for their size and have good colour too.
Lastly, Lobsters and Crabs should have all their limbs attached.
Smoked Fish
There are also some precautions attached to Smoked Fish as well, such as;
1) It should have a glossy appearance with firm flesh and with no stickiness
2) Like the name says, it must smell smoky, undoubtedly pleasant, and not with any odour
Fillets
Okay, now we come to fillets. So, they must be chosen carefully, or you might compromise on the taste and nutrients.
1) Fillets should be neat, trim, and with firm flesh
2) It should be closely packed together with firmness and not ragged or gaping
3) White fish should show a white translucent colour and without any discolouration
Frozen Fish
Similar to Whole and Smoked fish, frozen fish does need care. And, if not followed, you might end up eating rotten or enough old fish that neither tastes good nor has nutrients.
So, what are those care tips? Let's find out!
1) It should be frozen hard and without any sign of thawing
2) No damage sign on the packet, And,
3) No sign of freezer burn that is dull, white, and dry patches on the fish!
Bonus: How to Store Fish
Usually, fresh fish should be eaten as soon as possible. But if you want to store them for longer, their safe handling is also vital besides safe purchase. Because spoilage is mainly caused by improper handling, leading to enzymes and bacteria formation.
So, keep the fish refrigerated between 0 to 5 degrees centigrade to avoid getting rotten or contaminated.
While placing fish in the fridge, ensure not to contaminate them (fish or seafood) with other fruit or vegetables.
If you love seafood, you know the quality of the fish is everything. It does not matter if you are a chef or love cooking seafood at home, the key to a fantastic seafood dish lies in its freshness. But how do you make sure you are getting the freshest catch? That's what we will talk about in this blog! We will share some tips for choosing the freshest fish on the market and keeping it fresh until it's time to cook.
You should consider wholesale seafood markets
When buying seafood, the source is just as important as the seafood itself.
Wholesale seafood markets are where you should go for the freshest catch. First, they offer many seafood choices, from local favourites to exotic catches. These markets are also known for handling their seafood carefully, so the fish you get is always fresh. Not to mention, the prices are competitive.
Just remember that fresh fish should never look dull or smell bad. If you buy pre-packed or frozen seafood, look at the best before and use-by dates. It can keep you from buying something that's not so fresh.
Buying fresh fish—A step-by-step guide
- First, check the eyes. They should be clear and bright. If the eyes are cloudy, the fish is not fresh.
- Next, take a look at the gills. Fresh fish will have bright red and moist gills. Pink or brown-grey gills are not a good sign and usually mean the fish is older than you'd like.
- Next are the skin and scales. The skin should be slightly slippery, shiny, and moist. The scales should not be flaking off. That means the fish was treated well.
- Don't forget to smell it. Fresh fish smells clean. If it smells strange or bad, it's probably not good anymore.
- Lastly, check the flesh and any fillets or steaks. The flesh should be firm and bounce back when pressed, and any cuts should look moist with no dark spots or bruises.
Keeping your seafood fresh
How do you keep your seafood fresh until you cook it? We recommend cooking fresh fish the day you buy it to enjoy its flavour.
But if you must store it, wrap the fish in wax paper or plastic and keep it in the fridge. This can keep the fish fresh for a day or two. If you plan to keep it for longer, freeze it. Properly frozen fish can be good for up to six months. Just remember that freezing might slightly change the taste of the fish. But it will still taste great!
In search of the freshest wholesale seafood? Look no further than Seafood Direct!
It is always better to eat fresh fish as it not only tastes fantastic but also has full of nutrients. And, if you want fresh seafood delivered to your home- you can connect with Seafood Direct.
Seafood Direct is one of the leading and well-known seafood suppliers in the UK. And their seafood is always fresh, well checked, and full of quality.
So, why wait until you can have the Wholesale Seafood priced fish at your home in no time?- Call now at 01472 566000 or visit their website for quick order placement.
Buy Fresh Seafood Online
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