When it comes to seafood, most shoppers automatically go for the “fresh” option, which they believe ensures the best taste, texture, and quality overall. It’s a natural assumption, and it would make sense that fresh is always better. Yet in today’s seafood world, “fresh” isn’t always best. In fact, frozen seafood can match or even beat the quality of fresh fish, depending on how and when it’s processed.
What Does “Fresh” Mean?
Fresh seafood at restaurants and in the grocery store generally refers to seafood that’s never been frozen. It does not always indicate that the product was newly captured, however. Fresh fish may have been out of water for days, trucked a long way, and refrigerated in transit. This will maintain quality for some time, but contact with air and temperature fluctuations for several days will result in a gradual loss of flavor and texture.
Frozen Seafood
With the developments in freezing technology, frozen seafood has come a long way. Flash-freezing, very rapid freezing that helps to lock the freshness of seafood at optimal quality, is now used by most fishing vessels and processing facilities. It keeps moisture, texture, and flavor far better than slow freezing or extended refrigeration. Frozen seafood also holds an enormous advantage regarding sustainability and safety. Freezing can eradicate certain parasites and bacteria and thus render raw seafood dishes like sushi safer. Freezing also reduces waste due to shorter shelf life and therefore allows for consuming fresh seafood year-round without relying on a daily catch.
Quality Is All About Handling
The greatest factor determining the quality of seafood, whether it may be frozen or fresh, is the handling of the fish itself. Best-quality frozen fillet, when processed and flash-frozen hours post-catch, can beat so-called “fresh” seafood that travels days to the consumer. On the other hand, sloppy freezing or improper use of thawing can destroy texture and flavor and create a rubbery or unappetizing product. As long as the proper procedures are being utilized to the best of the person’s ability, the taste and quality of the seafood should be extremely delicious.
Delicious Seafood in Boston, MA
To get the best seafood experience that tastes great, make sure to visit Mare Oyster Bar in Boston, MA. Regardless of what you’re looking to consume, they have a wide array of cuisine options to choose from. From Italian seafood, pastas, drinks, and more, they have everything to meet your tastebuds! Visit or reserve a table at Mare Oyster Bar today!