Best Practices When Shopping For Live Lobster And Other Seafood

By Debra Reed


Eating seafood dishes is quite indulgent and yet surprisingly healthy owing to their low fat content compared to land based proteins such as chicken, beef, or pork. While this is all well and good, the challenge for any foodie is knowing how to buy the best of these ocean based products. If you are curious on what you should look out for when shopping for fish and other related items, this helpful guide should point you in the right direction.

Lobsters are big and formidable crustaceans that also happen to be delectable crowd pleasing items when cooked in certain dishes. Selecting a live lobster is rather easy since the ideal choices are those who curl up their tails when picked up. But should you opt for the frozen route, make sure that the lobster is really frozen solid before you decide to buy one or more of them.

Buying fish fresh should be tested by its smell. You will know the product is acceptable if the odor resembles seawater. Anything that gives off a powerfully foul aroma is considered unacceptable by freshness standards. For frozen selections, inspect them closely and avoid those with white and dehydrated parts as this is an indicator of freezer burn.

Clams are ideal for enhancing thick stews as they lend a savory flavor to the broth. They are generally sold by weight in bags so buy only what you need. Like most shellfish being sold, they should be alive they have been harvested. Shells that are tightly closed are the best indicators of freshness, and anything that remains open even after they have been tapped are bad choices.

Another extremely coveted sea ingredient from the mollusk family is the oyster. Highly prized for their exquisite texture and savory flavor, oysters can be consumed fresh or cooked. However, it is strongly recommended that you buy them fresh as they do not hold up well when frozen. Additionally, you must prepare and cook the oysters on the same day you bought them.

However you may feel about shrimp, it cannot be denied that this type of shellfish is exceptionally delicious and surprisingly diverse as a food ingredient. When you are on the hunt for best quality shrimp, pick ones that smells pleasant and remains firm when you press on them. Moreover, you can request the fishmonger to prep your shrimp by removing the heads and shells.

A relative of the lobster is another member of the crustacean family which is the crab. Their soft and delicate meat primarily found in their claws and main body is perfect for salads as well as soups. Fresh crabs with hard shells are often sold alive, so double check to make sure they move around in their enclosure before you buy several ones for consumption.

A rising star in the culinary world comes in the unexpected form of the sea urchin. Chefs and diners alike praise the innards of this forbidding sea creature for possessing complex flavors with a delicate texture. The meat of this particular seafood is called uni, and the best indicator of high quality is if it shows off bright colors of either orange or yellow.

Because seafood has a such a diverse range of options, it can be challenging to find ones that are high quality. However, this guide has shown you the tricks you need to spot the good ones being sold out there. And when in doubt, it never hurts to consult the vendor for assistance.




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