Buzz
The word 'fresh' sounds appealing, doesn’t it? Fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh baked goods, and for seafood lovers, fresh fish. But much of the fish you see at the counter may have been frozen before it reached the store. And even if it wasn’t, it’s not necessarily superior to the frozen options you find in the freezer aisle.
What to expect at the 'fresh' fish counter
You probably picture fresh fish as something that was just caught from the ocean and brought straight to the store. However, when it comes to labeling, 'fresh' simply means it wasn’t frozen.
Fresh fish at the counter may not be as fresh as it seems, as it could have been days since it was caught. By the time it reaches the store, it may have lost much of its initial taste. This delay also affects its shelf life, meaning some fish may be discarded if not sold quickly enough.
To address this issue, many stores turn to frozen fish, particularly those that were flash-frozen shortly after being caught, often right on the boat. This process helps preserve the flavor, reduces waste since stores only defrost what they need, and is more environmentally friendly by using trucks or trains for transport rather than planes.
How to Choose the Best Frozen Fish
When shopping for your kitchen, you can use the same logic: Go for the frozen option and defrost it as necessary. It will taste just as good, if not better, and is often more affordable.
Depending on the store, the counter may offer a wider variety than the frozen section. However, if the sign indicates that the fish was previously frozen, don't hesitate to ask if they can sell you some of it still frozen.
When reviewing labels, fish labeled as 'quickly frozen' or 'flash frozen' will offer the freshest taste. The fillets should remain fully frozen at the time of purchase, with no liquid present in the packaging. Ideally, they should be vacuum-sealed or covered in ice. Steer clear of fish with ice crystals or freezer burn, as these are indicators that the fish may have thawed and refrozen, resulting in a mushy texture.
If you have a long trip ahead, ensure the fish stays frozen by packing it in ice. For a more luxurious option, some companies will even ship high-end frozen fish to your door.
