The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science

(Nandana) #1
wares   even    in  front   of  the customer,   chances are
you’re not getting goods worth paying for.


  • Look at the fish. Does it look fresh?


Whole   fish    should  have    shiny   scales, perfectly   clear
eyes, and bright red gills. Bloodshot or cloudy eyes
are an early sign of spoilage. Fillets and steaks
should look shiny, fresh, and moist.


  • Smell the fish. Fresh fish should not have a


“fishy”  aroma,  it  should  just    smell   faintly     briny.
Any hint of ammonia is a bad sign.


  • Poke the fish. If they’ll let you, that is.


Fresh    fish    has     resilient   flesh   that    springs     back
when you gently poke it. If the flesh is mushy or
your finger leaves an indentation, leave the fish
behind.
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