We all know how important it is to eat fresh fish. It's a lean protein that is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and it's a great source of vitamins and minerals.

But what exactly does "fresh" mean when it comes to fish?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defined the term "fresh" as "not altered by processing", but does the term hold true for "fresh fish" that are being sold in supermarket stores?

As it turns out, "fresh" fish is defined as any fish that has not been frozen. This means that if a fish was frozen at some point during the process of getting from the ocean to your plate, it technically can't be considered fresh.

Given that transporting fish from the ocean to your table takes days, producers have no other option but to freeze them so they can prolong the fish's shelf life.

Fresh fish that is being sold at supermarkets are actually frozen to prolong its shelf life. Credit: Shutterstock/Sphinx2013.​

However, it should be noted that while we often have negative connotations towards frozen products (i.e. thinking that they are of lower quality), frozen fish is not at all bad.

In fact, frozen fish can sometimes be a better choice. This is because fish that is fresh-caught is often frozen immediately — usually, it is "flash-frozen" right after it is caught (while it's still on the boat) — to preserve its quality. This means that while the fish you're getting at the store may not be as fresh as you think, the flavour of the fish remains intact.

Additionally, freezing makes the logistics of shipping the fish easier, allowing producers to transport the fish by truck or train instead of having to be delivered by air and reducing the costs for shipment.

So, what's the best way to shop for high-quality fish?

If you can, buy fish that has been caught and frozen immediately. This will ensure that you're getting the fish at its premium quality. You can also look for fish that are labelled "wild-caught" or "sustainably-sourced." These fish are usually the best-tasting.

We also suggest looking for labels such as “quickly frozen” and “flash frozen”. These labels indicate that the fish was frozen right after it was caught in the ocean.

Also, keep an eye out for fish fillet packages, check if they are still fully frozen when you buy them and if there is no liquid in the packaging.

If you have a long drive home, it is best to pack the fish in ice to make sure that they stay frozen.

Lastly, to keep the quality of the fish from the supermarket, store it in the coldest part of your refrigerator and use it within one to two days. If you plan to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in freezer wrap and store it in the freezer.

You can maximise your seafood eating experience by following these tips. Credit: KultureKween.​

We would also like to share more tips for those of you who are looking to maximise your seafood eating experience:

1. Seek advice from a good fishmonger

Eating seafood is a treat that should be savoured and enjoyed as soon as possible after it’s purchased. This is why finding a good fishmonger is essential.

A good fishmonger will be passionate about seafood and will be able to guide you to the best and freshest options available. They should also be able to advise you on how to prepare and cook the seafood you purchase.

When buying seafood, treat it as an event and make sure to enjoy it fresh. This way, you’ll be able to truly savour the flavour and experience the joy that comes with eating seafood.

1. Be open to alternatives

If you're a fan of fresh seafood, you know that availability can be a bit hit and miss. Depending on the time of year and fishing conditions, certain types of seafood may not be available at your local market. But don't despair! There are still plenty of options available, even if your favourite fish isn't fresh. Frozen seafood can be a safe and reliable option, and in some cases, it may be the only option.

1. Use your senses

When it comes to buying seafood, using your senses is the best way to ensure you're getting fresh, high-quality fish. Look for bright, shiny skin and firm flesh. The fish should also have a mild, ocean-like smell. If you're able to, ask for a taste test before you buy. This will help you to avoid any fish that might be past its prime.

If you get to know your local fishmonger, you'll be able to get the best advice on what's fresh and in season. They'll also be able to tell you what's popular with their other customers – a surefire tip to the best in the shop.

1. Buy whole fish

Try to buy whole fish where possible, as this ensures that you're getting the freshest possible product. Not only does buying whole fish help to preserve the quality of the flesh, but it also allows you to closely inspect the fish for signs of freshness.

Whole fish should have bright, clear eyes and plump, firm flesh. The fish should be covered in a natural slime that gives it a fresh, sea-like smell. If the fish is lacking this slime coat, it's likely that it has been washed in fresh water, which removes much of the flavour.

1. Fillet your fish

Have you ever tried your hand at filleting fish? It's not as difficult as you might think, and the results are definitely worth it!

If you're not confident in your filleting skills, ask your fishmonger to do it for you. Just make sure to ask for dry-filleting, which means the fish won't be soaked in water before or after cutting. This is important because water will rip the essential oils out of the flesh, increase the core temperature, and dramatically reduce the shelf life of the fish.

Once you have your filleted fish, it's important to store it properly. Wrap the fish in muslin or freezer film, and place it on a drip tray in an airtight container. Store the container in the vegetable crisper in the fridge until you're ready to use it.

With proper care, your filleted fish will be fresh and delicious!

1. Fillet your fish as close to the time of use as possible

When fish flesh is cut, it has a tendency to oxidise quickly. If your fishmonger fillets the fish for you, request them to dry-fillet the fish and wrap the fillets tightly in freezer film or butcher paper. Once you get the fillets home, store them the same way as whole fish.

By following these simple tips, you'll be sure to enjoy fresh, delicious fish every time!

1. Use fresh fillets as soon as possible

If you're looking to get the most out of your fresh fish fillets, it's important to use them as soon as possible.

One way to ensure that you're getting the freshest fillets possible is to buy them pre-frozen from a reputable source. This way, you can be sure that they've been frozen using professional deep freeze technology and packaging in case you need them frozen for future use.

Additionally, when thawing frozen fillets, always place them on a drip tray in an airtight container and leave them in the fridge overnight. This will help to preserve their quality and ensure that they're ready to use immediately.

So, there you have it, folks! We hope this article will help you pick the freshest fish from your local store and maximise the money you spend on them.

Do you know other tips for keeping fish fresh? Share them with us in the comments below so other members of the SDC can use them too!

 

[Liz]

Totally agree going to a fishmonger. If you look at your local supermarket I bet you cannot find any frozen fish from Australia and you would be very suprised, like I was, where it does come from. Buyer be ware.

 

[Singomate]

Are fresh fish sold in supermarkets actually fresh? Here’s a shocking revelation!​

We all know how important it is to eat fresh fish. It's a lean protein that is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and it's a great source of vitamins and minerals.

But what exactly does "fresh" mean when it comes to fish?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defined the term "fresh" as "not altered by processing", but does the term hold true for "fresh fish" that are being sold in supermarket stores?

As it turns out, "fresh" fish is defined as any fish that has not been frozen. This means that if a fish was frozen at some point during the process of getting from the ocean to your plate, it technically can't be considered fresh.

Given that transporting fish from the ocean to your table takes days, producers have no other option but to freeze them so they can prolong the fish's shelf life.

Fresh fish that is being sold at supermarkets are actually frozen to prolong its shelf life. Credit: Shutterstock/Sphinx2013.​

However, it should be noted that while we often have negative connotations towards frozen products (i.e. thinking that they are of lower quality), frozen fish is not at all bad.

In fact, frozen fish can sometimes be a better choice. This is because fish that is fresh-caught is often frozen immediately — usually, it is "flash-frozen" right after it is caught (while it's still on the boat) — to preserve its quality. This means that while the fish you're getting at the store may not be as fresh as you think, the flavour of the fish remains intact.

Additionally, freezing makes the logistics of shipping the fish easier, allowing producers to transport the fish by truck or train instead of having to be delivered by air and reducing the costs for shipment.

So, what's the best way to shop for high-quality fish?

If you can, buy fish that has been caught and frozen immediately. This will ensure that you're getting the fish at its premium quality. You can also look for fish that are labelled "wild-caught" or "sustainably-sourced." These fish are usually the best-tasting.

We also suggest looking for labels such as “quickly frozen” and “flash frozen”. These labels indicate that the fish was frozen right after it was caught in the ocean.

Also, keep an eye out for fish fillet packages, check if they are still fully frozen when you buy them and if there is no liquid in the packaging.

If you have a long drive home, it is best to pack the fish in ice to make sure that they stay frozen.

Lastly, to keep the quality of the fish from the supermarket, store it in the coldest part of your refrigerator and use it within one to two days. If you plan to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in freezer wrap and store it in the freezer.

You can maximise your seafood eating experience by following these tips. Credit: KultureKween.​

We would also like to share more tips for those of you who are looking to maximise your seafood eating experience:

1. Seek advice from a good fishmonger

Eating seafood is a treat that should be savoured and enjoyed as soon as possible after it’s purchased. This is why finding a good fishmonger is essential.

A good fishmonger will be passionate about seafood and will be able to guide you to the best and freshest options available. They should also be able to advise you on how to prepare and cook the seafood you purchase.

When buying seafood, treat it as an event and make sure to enjoy it fresh. This way, you’ll be able to truly savour the flavour and experience the joy that comes with eating seafood.

1. Be open to alternatives

If you're a fan of fresh seafood, you know that availability can be a bit hit and miss. Depending on the time of year and fishing conditions, certain types of seafood may not be available at your local market. But don't despair! There are still plenty of options available, even if your favourite fish isn't fresh. Frozen seafood can be a safe and reliable option, and in some cases, it may be the only option.

1. Use your senses

When it comes to buying seafood, using your senses is the best way to ensure you're getting fresh, high-quality fish. Look for bright, shiny skin and firm flesh. The fish should also have a mild, ocean-like smell. If you're able to, ask for a taste test before you buy. This will help you to avoid any fish that might be past its prime.

If you get to know your local fishmonger, you'll be able to get the best advice on what's fresh and in season. They'll also be able to tell you what's popular with their other customers – a surefire tip to the best in the shop.

1. Buy whole fish

Try to buy whole fish where possible, as this ensures that you're getting the freshest possible product. Not only does buying whole fish help to preserve the quality of the flesh, but it also allows you to closely inspect the fish for signs of freshness.

Whole fish should have bright, clear eyes and plump, firm flesh. The fish should be covered in a natural slime that gives it a fresh, sea-like smell. If the fish is lacking this slime coat, it's likely that it has been washed in fresh water, which removes much of the flavour.

1. Fillet your fish

Have you ever tried your hand at filleting fish? It's not as difficult as you might think, and the results are definitely worth it!

If you're not confident in your filleting skills, ask your fishmonger to do it for you. Just make sure to ask for dry-filleting, which means the fish won't be soaked in water before or after cutting. This is important because water will rip the essential oils out of the flesh, increase the core temperature, and dramatically reduce the shelf life of the fish.

Once you have your filleted fish, it's important to store it properly. Wrap the fish in muslin or freezer film, and place it on a drip tray in an airtight container. Store the container in the vegetable crisper in the fridge until you're ready to use it.

With proper care, your filleted fish will be fresh and delicious!

1. Fillet your fish as close to the time of use as possible

When fish flesh is cut, it has a tendency to oxidise quickly. If your fishmonger fillets the fish for you, request them to dry-fillet the fish and wrap the fillets tightly in freezer film or butcher paper. Once you get the fillets home, store them the same way as whole fish.

By following these simple tips, you'll be sure to enjoy fresh, delicious fish every time!

1. Use fresh fillets as soon as possible

If you're looking to get the most out of your fresh fish fillets, it's important to use them as soon as possible.

One way to ensure that you're getting the freshest fillets possible is to buy them pre-frozen from a reputable source. This way, you can be sure that they've been frozen using professional deep freeze technology and packaging in case you need them frozen for future use.

Additionally, when thawing frozen fillets, always place them on a drip tray in an airtight container and leave them in the fridge overnight. This will help to preserve their quality and ensure that they're ready to use immediately.

So, there you have it, folks! We hope this article will help you pick the freshest fish from your local store and maximise the money you spend on them.

Do you know other tips for keeping fish fresh? Share them with us in the comments below so other members of the SDC can use them too!

All fish is thrown into a slurry of sea water and ice as son as it hits the deck in the case prawns they are boxed whole fish is kept at a constant temp, which technically is a type of freezing, so Supermarket fish is not fresh but still a good feed if Australian