Where should you pay attention to when buying fresh fish?
Where should you pay attention to when buying fresh fish?
Urk-Export knows how important it is to provide fresh fish of the highest quality. Whether you’re running a restaurant, purchasing for a supermarket, or simply a consumer looking for the best fish, it’s crucial to know what to look for when buying fresh fish. Fresh fish not only offers the best taste and texture but also provides the greatest health benefits. In this article, we share useful tips and key points to recognize the freshness of fish, so you can always make the best choice.
Why freshness matters
The quality of fish deteriorates quickly after being caught. This is because fish is a perishable product that rapidly breaks down under the influence of bacteria and enzymes. Therefore, it is crucial not only to store fish properly but also to choose it carefully when purchasing.
1. Smell: Fresh Ocean Breeze
The smell of fish is one of the first things you notice. Fresh fish has a mild scent that reminds you of the ocean – not fishy or ammonia-like. If the smell is strong or unpleasant, the fish is likely no longer fresh
A fresh smell is an indication that the fish has been stored properly and has not started to spoil.
2. Eyes: Clear and Shiny
The eyes of the fish are important indicators of freshness.
What to look for:
- Fresh: Clear, bulging, and glassy eyes
- Not fresh: Dull and/or sunken eyes
With fresh fish, the eyes are clear, bulging, and glassy. Dull, sunken eyes are a sign that the fish is no longer fresh and has likely been stored for some time. Fresh eyes indicate that the fish was recently caught and hasn’t been stored for longer than necessary.
3. Skin and Scales: Shiny and Firm
The skin of the fish should have a healthy, shiny appearance. Scales should be firmly attached and not peeling off. A dull or damaged skin may indicate that the fish is older.
The condition of the skin and scales indicates how well the fish has been preserved. A healthy skin also helps maintain the taste and texture of the fish. Take a look at our selection of the freshest fish! This will give you an idea of what fresh fish should look like.
4. Flesh Color: Bright and Vibrant
The color of the fish is one of the most important indicators of freshness. Fresh fish has a vibrant color that varies depending on the species. For example, squid has a rich dark color, while cod is white and translucent. Fading or brown spots are signs that the fish is no longer fresh.
The color of the fish reflects its freshness and how it has been stored. The fresher the fish, the more vibrant the color. At our company, fish is purchased fresh and carefully to ensure that the color is preserved as much as possible.
5. Choose a Reliable Source: Suppliers Who Ensure Quality
When purchasing fish from a processing company, it is important to choose a reliable supplier who guarantees the freshness of the fish. As a fish processing company, we ensure that all fish are chilled, processed, and packaged under the best conditions, maintaining quality from catch to delivery.
Are you looking for reliable and fresh fish? Contact us for more information about our processing methods and our selection. We only supply fish of the highest quality.
