Buying fresh fish is important for good taste and health. But how can you tell if a fish is fresh? Here are some easy tips to help you choose fresh fish at the market.
Buying fresh fish is important for good taste and health. But how can you tell if a fish is fresh? Here are some easy tips to help you choose fresh fish at the market.
Clear Eyes: Fresh fish have bright, clear, and bulging eyes—not cloudy or sunken.
Clear Eyes: Fresh fish have bright, clear, and bulging eyes—not cloudy or sunken.
Bright Red or Pink Gills: Gills should be moist and vibrant in color, not brown or faded.
Bright Red or Pink Gills: Gills should be moist and vibrant in color, not brown or faded.
Firm Flesh: Press the fish gently; fresh fish flesh bounces back and isn’t mushy.
Firm Flesh: Press the fish gently; fresh fish flesh bounces back and isn’t mushy.
Mild Smell: Fresh fish smells like clean water or the sea—not sour, fishy, or ammonia-like.
Mild Smell: Fresh fish smells like clean water or the sea—not sour, fishy, or ammonia-like.
Shiny Skin: The skin should be moist, shiny, and metallic-looking, not dry or dull.
Shiny Skin: The skin should be moist, shiny, and metallic-looking, not dry or dull.
Tightly Adhered Scales: Scales should be firmly attached and not easily falling off.
Tightly Adhered Scales: Scales should be firmly attached and not easily falling off.
No Discoloration: Avoid fish with dark or yellowish patches on the flesh or skin.
No Discoloration: Avoid fish with dark or yellowish patches on the flesh or skin.
Slime-Free Surface: Fresh fish might have a thin natural layer, but shouldn’t be sticky or slimy.
Slime-Free Surface: Fresh fish might have a thin natural layer, but shouldn’t be sticky or slimy.
Clear Bloodlines: If visible, bloodlines should be bright red, not dark or brownish.
Clear Bloodlines: If visible, bloodlines should be bright red, not dark or brownish.
Fresh Smell Around the Mouth and Belly: These areas should also be free from bad odors.
Fresh Smell Around the Mouth and Belly: These areas should also be free from bad odors.