Seafood is a term that represents all of the edible fish and all of the shellfish and encompasses every living creature that we fish from under water.
Advertisement:
Lots of people consume seafood all the time, mainly because it is recognized as a delicacy, but also because seafood provides valuable nutrients and amazing health benefits.
Other people don’t eat as much fish or as often because of fish containing mercury and because of farmed fish being unhealthy, which is in some cases true.
However, when you know what to look for in fish, you’ll know what you are eating and will be able to make the best choices for your health.
Here are some things you may not know about seafood so that you can choose what is most beneficial.
- When shopping in a fish market, make sure the establishment is clean and organized.
A fish market shouldn’t smell bad. You should be able to smell a pleasant aroma, this being one of the main indicators of fresh fish. If the smell is very strong, there is something fishy there.
The optimal temperature for keeping seafood fresh is around 32-degree Fahrenheit, so if possible check that this is so when buying fish.
Any reputable establishment should implement high quality standards and have proper storing conditions, everything from ice containers to refrigeration.
- Choose seafood that is true to their natural color and look for characteristics such as the below.
When it comes to fish, there are certain characteristics that will apply to most of the variety. For whole fish, keep in mind that the first thing to tell you about freshness is the eyes.
- Fresh fish will have clear and bright eyes, often protruding that become more cloudy and sunken as they lose freshness.
Another indicator of freshness is firm and elastic flesh, without blemishes or wounds. When you press the flesh of fish with your finger, it should spring back gently.
- The less fresh the fish, the softer the flesh will be. The color of fish starts fading as soon as it is fished out of the water, however, when you purchase fresh fish, you should still be able to notice a bright appearance.
How people test that fish is fresh is by putting it in cold water. If it floats, then it’s fresh. The downside is that you only get to test this after already having made a purchase.
- Be sure to buy sustainable seafood for best nutritional value.
Sustainable means the fish was caught in eco-friendly ways. There is even seafood that is farmed in sustainable ways, so people fearing the rumors about farmed fish also have options.
If you can, buy local seafood because you can personally check out the establishment. A lot of the farmed fish produced in the U.S. retains the chemicals used in farming the fish, which can have negative effects on health when consumed regularly.
Advertisement:
When fish is contaminated with chemical residue, this is passed on to humans, so make sure you know your seafood before buying.