6 Tips for Buying More Delicious Fish
Although fish is one of the healthiest foods you can eat, it’s something that many of us actually know very little about.
Here in the US, if you don’t grow up very close to an ocean, there’s a good chance that you don’t eat all that much seafood at all. That was definitely the case for me. It wasn’t until my 20s that I realized how much I was missing out on.
It was even longer until I learned how to properly buy and cook seafood and fish.
Here are 6 big tips for buying better fish
1. Don’t Buy More than You’re Going to Use Immediately. If you want great salmon, it’s got to be fresh. Because it’s high in unstable Omega-3 fats, Salmon should be as fresh as possible and should be cooked and eaten as soon as possible.
2. Look at It. A filet of salmon should be clean and not slimy (which would indicate that it’s not fresh), but mostly, the salmon should be “together” and not feathered. If it looks like it’s starting to come apart, pick a different one.
3. Smell It. This takes a little practice, but it’s worth it. Your salmon should smell a little salty and a little sweet. Many people liken this smell to the ocean. If it smells “fishy,” then if means that the salmon is not fresh or hasn’t been stored properly.
4. Feel It. You’ve got to get up close and personal with your salmon. You want the salmon to fell firm, and when you press your finger lightly into the salmon, it should bounce back and not leave an indentation.
5. Types of Salmon. If possible, and if you can afford to pay a bit more, opt for Alaskan, Chinook, or Sockeye. They’re almost always of the wild variety and tend to be more flavorful. Obviously, you’ll need to experiment to discover which you prefer.
6. Steak or Filet. In general, you want to choose between a filet and a steak. Most often, the filet will be more convenient and will often be de-skinned and de-boned, unlike the steak. You can also buy a whole fish, of course, which is usually more cost-effective.
Images: Copyright © Marcin Chady cc