How can you determine the freshness of fish?

Determining the freshness of fish is crucial for ensuring quality and safety. Checking for clear, bright eyes and a fresh ocean smell is an effective method for assessing freshness. Fresh fish typically has eyes that are bulging and transparent, indicating that the fish has just been caught. Dull, sunken, or cloudy eyes may suggest that the fish is no longer fresh.

The smell of the fish is also an important indicator. Fresh fish should have a clean, mild scent reminiscent of the ocean, while a strong, fishy or sour odor is a sign that the fish is spoiled. This ability to detect freshness through visual and olfactory cues is critical for both culinary quality and food safety.

The other methods mentioned are useful but may not be as reliable alone. While glossy scales can indicate freshness, it's not a definitive measure. Relying solely on the sell-by date can be misleading as the date may not accurately reflect the actual freshness of the fish at the time of purchase. Assessing the firmness of the flesh is a good practice but, if not combined with the evaluation of the eyes and smell, it may not provide a complete picture of the fish's freshness. Therefore, checking for clear, bright eyes and a fresh ocean smell is a comprehensive approach