+13 votes
i am looking for some tips on how to tell if the fish is fresh at the supermarket. it needs to be explained clearly so i can finish the weekly shop. thanks :)
in Products and Ingredients by

5 Answers

+5 votes
Best answer
Hello arthur_w. To properly evaluate fish freshness at the supermarket, you should examine several key indicators:
  • Eyes: Fresh fish should have clear, bright, and slightly bulging eyes. Avoid fish with cloudy, sunken, or red-rimmed eyes.
  • Gills: Lift the gill cover if possible; they should be a bright cherry-red or pinkish color and free of thick slime. Brown or grey gills indicate age.
  • Smell: Fresh fish should smell like the clean ocean or sea breeze, never overly fishy, sour, or ammonia-like.
  • Texture: The flesh should be firm and spring back immediately when pressed with a finger, leaving no indentation.
I hope these guidelines help you complete your weekly shopping successfully.
by chef (91.1k points)
+10 votes
Check the eyes first. They must be clear and slightly bulging, not cloudy or sunken. Next, press the flesh; it should be firm and bounce back immediately. Finally, smell the fish. It should have a clean, mild ocean scent without any strong ammonia or fishy odors.
by
+8 votes
Check the gills. They gotta be bright red. If they're brown, leave it.
by
+1 vote
I think you just check if the eyes are clear?? Not totally sure tho cause I usually buy frozen fillets instead of fresh fish at the market...
by
+1 vote
I usually just look at the price tags for sales and discounts, but I think the eyes are supposed to be clear. To be honest, I am not entirely certain about the rest of the details since I mostly buy whatever is on special offer that day.
by