Updated: July 23, 2024
So, you want to go to the seafood market but are unsure where to start. Buying fish can be intimidating if you've never tried it before. Billy's Stone Crab operates a fish market that offers the freshest and highest-quality fish in South Florida. We're here to help you learn how to find fresh fish and what you need to know to successfully shop at a seafood market.
What to Do (and What NOT to Do) at a Seafood Market
Learning how to buy fish isn't hard. It starts with finding a seafood market that's reputable and trustworthy. Look for a seafood market with a good reputation for using proper handling practices and knowledge about the fish they sell.
For example, never shop when the counter smells fishy at a seafood market. A fishy smell indicates that the seafood is not fresh and high-quality. Good seafood should always smell like the ocean.
You should also ensure the seafood is properly stored at the market. Is it properly iced and refrigerated? Is the frozen seafood in a freezer? If the fish is not kept at a cold temperature, it can lose quality quickly, making it unsafe for consumption.
Seafood Market Terminology
Knowing some common seafood terminology can help you understand exactly what you're buying. Let's look at a few terms you need to know.
- Farm-Raised: This seafood is bred in large, controlled environments. These farmed species aren't allowed to come into contact with wild seafood, and their environments are moved frequently to protect the quality of the seafood you purchase.
- Wild Caught: This is seafood captured in the wild or where it lives naturally. These fish and crustaceans eat other wild species and have a natural life cycle. Their diet is much more varied than those that are farm-raised.
- Refresh: refers to when a fish or shellfish is frozen after it's caught and thawed to sell as a "fresh" item.
- Glazing: Individually frozen seafood is usually glazed with water to act as a protective coating that prevents fish from getting freezer burn.
Sometimes, shopping in a seafood market feels like everyone's speaking a different language. If you hear terms you don't know, ask a staff member for help. They're always happy to pass on their seafood knowledge, including the best day to buy fish and the terminology they use to describe fresh seafood.
Tips for Choosing the Best Seafood at the Seafood Market
So, how do you find fresh fish? There are several things to observe to get the freshest seafood. Always check:
- Their eyes: Bright, clear, and big eyes indicate that the fish is fresh.
- Their gills: Red gills are a sign that your fish is fresh. You can check by placing your thumb by the gills and noting the color.
- For slime: A little bit of slime is good. A lot of slime is not. Opt for the fish with just a little ocean slime on their surface.
- How they feel: A firm texture is a good sign that your fish is fresh. Mushy textures are a sign that it's going bad.
- How they smell: Does the fish smell like the ocean? If so, it's very fresh! Never purchase fish that smells fishy or smells like ammonia. This is a sure sign that it's bad.
Visit the Seafood Market at Billy's Stone Crab Today
Stop by Billy's Stone Crab's seafood market today to purchase the freshest, highest-quality fish in South Florida. Our trained staff will be happy to help you learn how to find fresh fish, including salmon, tuna, stone crabs, Alaskan king crab, and shrimp. Visit our seafood market and purchase everything you need to cook fresh seafood at home.