Eating spoiled fish is a guarantee for an upset stomach, intestinal distress, possible diarrhea, and a potential trip to the hospital. Like all foods, fresh is best. But judging just how fresh a fish is can be tricky unless you catch it yourself. Since most of us rely on the supermarket for our "catch of the day" here are ways to check for freshness.
Instructions
1. Smell the fish. A fishy smell is not good as it signals the fish is getting spoiled. Food experts describe the proper smell as being cucumber-like or with the clean smell of an ocean breeze.
2. Look at the scales and gills. If you're buying the entire fish, such as trout or salmon, the gills should be a bright color and the scales shiny. Dark gills and dull scales signal "old."
3. Poke the fish flesh with your finger, if you you're buying at a fresh fish market stall. If the flesh springs back quickly, it's fresh. If your fingerprint stays, move on. Fresh fish should have a bright, firm appearance and should appear moist, not dry or dull.
4. Shop from a store you trust. It's worth spending a little more to be able to choose your fish fresh from the case instead of pre-packaged. Ask the clerk when the fish was delivered. Stores often receive fresh fish deliveries on Monday and Thursday.
5. Avoid buying fillets or steaks that are mottled or spotted. These are probably bruised flesh. Look for those that have a uniform color and fresh appearance. Note that some fish, such as swordfish and halibut, naturally have dark bands near the edge.
6. Ask if the fish was previously frozen. Because water expands when frozen and can somewhat rupture the cells, a previously frozen fish doesn't taste as fresh and the flesh may not be as firm. It may also still be partially frozen, meaning you are paying additional dollars for water weight that will run off when it's thawed.
Tags: fish such, fresh fish, previously frozen