To choose the freshest seafood, start by checking its smell. Fresh seafood smells like the ocean—clean and slightly briny, not fishy or sour.
Look closely at the eyes of whole fish; they should be clear, bright, and bulging, not cloudy or sunken. The flesh must be firm and bounce back when pressed, not soft or mushy.
For shellfish, the shells should be tightly closed or close when tapped, indicating they are alive. Avoid seafood with discoloration, slime, or dry edges.
For fish fillet, first, check the color—it should look vibrant and natural for that type of fish, not dull or faded. Avoid dry, slimy, or discolored filets like browning or dark spots. Also, if you can, smell the filet—fresh fish has a mild, clean scent, never a strong fishy or sour odor.
Finally, buy from reputable sellers who properly store seafood on ice or refrigerated displays. These steps help ensure you pick the freshest catch every time.
Most importantly, you should get to know your fishmonger. Ask them what’s fresh today; they should direct you to the freshest fish of the day.
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