Why Buy Frozen Fish Fillet instead of fresh one?
It is very convenient to cook fish fillet compared to fresh fish, you don't have to go through the cutting and further cleaning! What’s more? it has been deboned, very easy to cook for your elders and kids. And for people living in the city far away from sea coast, it is often harder to get fresh fish from wet market. So frozen fish is a good choice to go, but don't worry, it doesn't mean frozen fish can not be better than fresh fish. Frozen fish, prawn, fish fillet and other frozen seafood often gets a bad name due to fishmongers and fisherman did not quick freeze the seafood after its fresh caught, leaving them for sometime until its no longer fresh enough. However, it is definitely fresh if it is quickly frozen just after fresh caught. it could even be fresher than fresh fish using Individual Quick-Frozen ( IQF ) technology! Read more about IQF…
But… there are few things to take note in buying Frozen Fish fillet:
Vacuum Packaging
Go for the tightly sealed vacuum packed frozen fish fillet. It will have longer shelf life, and likely to be more fresh. Never go for package that is open, torn or crushed.
Reputable Seller
Try to learn about the frozen fish fillet seller like did they quick freeze their seafood directly after fresh caught or they did not? This is a very deciding factor to know if the freshness of frozen fish filet have stayed.
Watch for Freezer Burn
What is freezer Burn? Do you happen to came across frozen food that have discoloration spot on it? That is freezer burn, it happens when the ice in frozen food sublimates that is the water molecules in the food moves out from the food causing it to dry out and it will not taste good in cooking. Freezer burn likely to happen when the fish fillet is defrost and refrozen again or mishandling that leaves the fish fillet in room/warm temperature. Even storing in refrigerator for too long ( like very very long ) causes it too. However, freezer burn is a food-quality issue, not a food safety issue, it is still eatable but doesn't taste good…
Rock Solid
Frozen means that rock solid, never go for frozen fish fillet that is not hard enough. It should not be bendable.
Lastly
Remember to avoid leaving your frozen fish fillet at room/warm temperature for too long. Try to buy them from your nearby store/supermarket or quickly store in an ice box after you bought it. So that you can enjoy FRESH frozen fish fillet at home !
Hope this article is useful. Feel free to comment for any questions and corrections.
Thank you !
References
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/17/1/19/n8722877.htm
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-choose-fresh-fish/
https://www.chefsteps.com/activities/selecting-fish-for-purchase
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/is-halo-top-healthy-here-what-you-should-know