Buying fish doesn’t have to be a hit or miss process. With the following six tips, you’ll be purchasing your next fish with confidence.
6 Tips on How to Purchase the Best Fish
- Purchase your fish from a place that has high turnover. In some areas you may not have access to fresh fish, but if at all possible go to a busy local fish market.
- No matter where you purchase your fish from, be it your local supermarket or local fish market, always ask if the fish in question is fresh or has previously been frozen. This will help you gauge freshness.
- What to look for in a whole fresh fish:
- The eyes should be clear. Cloudy, dull, sunken eyes are a sign of an old fish.
- Check out the gills, they should red, not a brownish color which is a sign of age.
- The skin should be shiny. And if at all possible touch the fish. When touched the flesh should spring back. If you still see your finger mark, stay away from that fish.
- Check the odor. It should have a fresh, ocean-like smell. If it smells “fishy”, then the fish is getting old.
- What to look for in fish fillets or steaks:
- It should have moist flesh.
- It should have an even color, with no dark or dry spots.
- It should have shiny skin, and the flesh should spring back when touched.
- And again the odor should be fresh, not “fishy.”
- What to look for in frozen fish:
- Look at the packaging. The packaging should not be damaged in anyway. Make sure that the plastic wrapping has no holes and completely covers the fish.
- Examine the fish. There should be no blood, or discoloration of the flesh.
- Make sure there are no ice crystals forming in the package. Also check for freezer burn, which will be a cottony looking discoloration.
- If at all possible eat your fresh fish the same day. If you are unable to prepare the fish that day, you can store it in your refrigerator for a day or two. Wrap the fish in plastic and place on ice, making sure that the melting ice drains away from the fish.
With these tips you are now prepared to go out and purchase fish like a pro. Now that you’re an expert fish buyer, the next thing to learn is how to best prepare these fish on the grill.