Shopping for Fresh Fish: Tips to Keep in Mind

If you are looking to add more fish to your diet, then the process of buying fish can sometimes be daunting, especially if it is your first time shopping at a fishmonger or if you aren’t sure what you are looking for. Keep reading to find out more about what you should be looking out for when you buy fish to help you feel more confident throughout the process and get some great fish to cook for dinner.

Notice the Smell

When you walk into the fishmonger, the first thing that you will probably notice is the smell. However, at the best fishmonger London, the smell of fish should be noticeable but not overpowering when you walk in the door. Fresh fish that has been iced properly will not smell as much as fish that hasn’t been stored correctly. An overpowering fishy smell can also be a sign that the fishmonger shop is not as clean as it could be.

Look at the Fish

Take a good look at the fish to get an idea of how fresh it is. With whole fish, the gills should be bright pink or red rather than brown or dull, and the eyes should be clear, bright and shiny. If you are looking at filleted fish rather than whole, then there are several things to look out for. The skin should look wet and shiny – if it’s not them this is a sign that the fish has been left to dry out and has lost some of its freshness.

Ask for Advice

If you are new to buying fish from a fishmonger, then you can always ask for advice. Make sure that you are visiting a fishmonger that is professional and experienced, so that you can rely on the team to give you the best advice on which fish to choose. Many fishmongers will be happy to assist if you are not sure what kind of fish you go for if you let them know what your dinner plans are. They can recommend in-season fish or seafood, give tips for cooking the fish you choose or even help you pair a fish and a wine.

Understand Seasonality

As with most types of fresh produce, there are going to be certain times of the year when the fish and seafood are at their best and freshest. Most of the main species of fish are available all year around, so the seasonality is mostly about when they are at their best. There are several factors to consider, including the weather – if the weather is bad, this is challenging for the fish trade and may have an impact on the fish quality, especially if it’s too bad for the fishing boats to go out.

There are certainly lots of reasons to add more fish to your diet and plenty of meal ideas that you can make with fish. But shopping for fish can be quite daunting if you are not used to it, so keep these tips in mind as you head to the fishmonger shop.