There is a growing number of seafood lovers wanting seafood delivery in the U.K. who cannot get enough of the taste of seafood and its versatility in preparation. Even if the taste of seafood is unique and cannot be matched by anything else on the market, the issue of food poisoning cannot be ignored.
Among the different seafood varieties, shellfish is one of the most well-known in the U.K. since it is very easy to catch and absolutely delicious. However, because shellfish can be difficult to clean, there is a high risk of food poisoning when eating them… so act with caution while consuming shellfish.
Where to buy it?
Nowadays, it is pretty challenging to find fresh shellfish. Even if some shellfish appear to be fresh and just caught, they may contain hazardous microorganisms. Seafood Direct is the place to go if you want to find fresh seafood that is 100% safe to eat.
How do you tell the difference between fresh and old shellfish?
When buying shellfish in the U.K., look for signs of freshness and safety as you go through the stock. The appearance of the shellfish is the most visible and easiest sign to detect. The shellfish's outer shell must be fresh and tightly closed. This works for most shellfish, including scallops, clams, mussels, and oysters.
When testing prawns, press the body to see if it springs back when released. Another factor to consider is the odour of the shellfish itself. If you can smell a strong ammonia odour, the fish is most likely not fresh. The ideal smell of fresh seafood products should be that of seawater.
By looking for these signs, you can ensure that you always buy fresh seafood.
Storage matters
During the storage period, some contamination may occur. The best way to store shellfish varies depending on the type of shellfish. However, the cardinal rule is that seafood should not be stored longer than a day or two before cooking. This reduces the risk of bacterial contamination.
The best way to preserve the crustaceans until you get home is in an airtight container filled with ice. Disease-causing contaminants thrive in warm temperatures; therefore, an airtight container filled with ice keeps these contaminants from thriving. The refrigerator must be set to a low temperature. When storing live oysters, mussels, and clams, make sure the container is sufficiently ventilated and that the top of the lid is covered with a damp clean cloth.
Cooking and preparation
If the shellfish needs to be defrosted before cooking, place it under a running tap. To avoid food poisoning, make sure you cook the shellfish until there are no raw portions left.
Begin the prep work by cleaning the seafood's outer shell. Scrub off the dirt, gravel, and stones with a small brush or the blunt end of a knife and then wash it. You must also keep a close eye on the cooking process of the shellfish. When the shellfish's shell begins to open, it indicates that it is nearly cooked—keep the shellfish there for another 2-3 minutes to eliminate any remaining bacteria.
If you are steaming your seafood, try to steam it for as long as possible without ruining it so that the high temperature can kill any germs and bacteria lurking inside the shellfish.
If you intend to prepare seafood dishes for your next family dinner, you must sanitise and clean the kitchen as well as the cooking and eating utensils that you will be using. To avoid health risks, separate the utensils you will use to prepare raw food from those you will use to handle cooked food.
The best method to savour the flavour of seafood is to eat it in a clean, non-contaminated environment. If the cooked seafood is meant for a picnic, separate the hot and cold foods and use separate containers and storage to ensure that they maintain their own temperature. Pregnant women and the elderly should not come into contact with raw seafood because they are more susceptible to being affected by the bacteria present in the raw food.
Seafood Direct boasts a large selection of mouth-watering shellfish, from salad prawns to king scallops. Please stop by our website to stock up on shellfish for your next cookout! Do you have any questions about our seafood delivery service? Call us at 01472 566000 or write to us at sales@seafooddirect.co.uk. One of our representatives will get back to you shortly!