Fresh or Frozen fish?

[misskitty100]

I recently read somewhere that almost all fish is "flash frozen" on the fishing boat. The article went on to say that it isn't necessary to pay more for the fish in the grocery "fresh" case because it has just been thawed and isn't really "fresh".

The only fish I usually buy is salmon and I buy it fresh (unfrozen) at Costco. DH picked up some halibut at Pike Place market several months ago and that wasn't frozen either.

What kind of fish do you all buy, fresh or frozen and ido you think there is a difference between the two?


Just wondering if I have always been eating previously frozen fish and just didn't know it.....

[ljt2r]

I obviously am not speaking for those living on the coast, but yes most fish in the interior has been frozen. If you buy it "fresh" you should not freeze it when you get home--or you should at least ask and make sure. Because I buy my fish in bulk from further away I usually buy frozen so I don't have to use it right away. But I am hardly a seafood expert.

[KristiB]

I think it depends on where you buy your fish. I noticed at Fry's some of it was marked, "previously frozen."

I buy all my seafood fresh to use the same day at Whole Foods or a seafood market. It just tastes fresher than the fresh fish at the regular grocery store to me. I'll have to ask about the freezing next time I'm there.

With scallops there's something to consider. I buy "dry scallops" which aren't treated with phosphates. They're shucked and flash frozen right on the boat. "Wet" scallops are treated with phosphates and have a lot of water in them. They're also frozen but retain more water and I think the taste isn't nearly as good. And they don't sear.

I don't know if other fish comes treated and untreated like scallops. I've been known to pester the fish monger with a lot of questions so I'll add this to the list.

ETA- for me the main concerns with seafood, besides fresh flavor, is sustainability and that it isn't trawled.

[donleyk]

When I buy ours at the fish market it is thawed. It's supposed to have been flown in that day but I can't say for sure. We buy a lot when we are there and freeze it. We've not had any trouble doing that.

We were at Trader Joes last week and bought their frozen salmon. I feel like I will be able to tell if there is a difference in taste and texture so I'm excited to try it to compare. I'd much rather pay the price at TJ if the fish is going to taste the same.

[Canice]

I always buy fish the day I'm going to cook it, so frozen wouldn't work for me. Plus, I want to be able to see what the fish looks like, and be sure it doesn't smell "off" - and you can't do that with frozen. So that's the only way I've ever bought it, from a fish monger. It's always labeled "fresh" or "previously frozen". The other thing is variety; if you only buy salmon it wouldn't be an issue, but otherwise I wouldn't think there would be anywhere near the variety in the freezer that there is at a fish counter.

[ljt2r]

I always buy fish the day I'm going to cook it, so frozen wouldn't work for me. Plus, I want to be able to see what the fish looks like, and be sure it doesn't smell "off" - and you can't do that with frozen. So that's the only way I've ever bought it, from a fish monger. It's always labeled "fresh" or "previously frozen". The other thing is variety; if you only buy salmon it wouldn't be an issue, but otherwise I wouldn't think there would be anywhere near the variety in the freezer that there is at a fish counter.

You'd be surprised if you were not on the coast. I can get nearly anything, if not more, from the freezer case at Jungle Jim's vs what they have "fresh" (thawed) at their counter. But hey I live at least 9 hours from the closest ocean port so I work with what I can get. Also I don't really trust their answer--the guy at the counter told me sure you can freeze it--the next time I went the guy told me not to (re-) freeze anything from their "fresh" counter. So who knows what to think. Also, I have been told elsewhere that it is illegal to sell never frozen fish as sushi quality--by law if it will be used for sushi it must have been frozen to kill germs. Was the person wrong?

[KristiB]

Also, I have been told elsewhere that it is illegal to sell never frozen fish as sushi quality--by law if it will be used for sushi it must have been frozen to kill germs. Was the person wrong?

I found THIS (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/nyregion/sushi-fresh-from-the-deep-the-deep-freeze.html)


Food and Drug Administration regulations stipulate that fish to be eaten raw -- whether as sushi, sashimi, seviche, or tartare -- must be frozen first, to kill parasites. ''I would desperately hope that all the sushi we eat is frozen,'' said George Hoskin, a director of the agency's Office of Seafood. Tuna, a deep-sea fish with exceptionally clean flesh, is the only exception to the rule.

[wallycat]

If I lived on a fishing coast I'd buy fresh. Here, I prefer (and often specify) frozen. I don't mind thawing on the counter, so even if it is something I plan to use that day, I prefer frozen.
The version of "fresh" here, I am certain, means thawed and god knows how long it has been in the case.

[funniegrrl]

Here in the non-coast, I assume any "fresh" fish I see at the grocery store or whatever is previously frozen, including at Whole Foods. Stores are getting better about marking products as such, but even if they don't I assume. If I wanted real fresh flown-in-that-morning, I'd drive out to one of a couple of actual fishmongers in town rather than trust the supermarkets, etc., as finding something that's never-frozen is pretty rare 'round these parts. (Whole Paycheck spins it by saying, "thawed for your convenience." *snort*)

I always just buy frozen and thaw it myself -- I'm MUCH more likely to get a good product that way. In fact, I've never been disappointed. As for thawing for use that day, most fillets thaw pretty quickly. If it's a big ol' chunk o' fish, then thawing in cold water is still plenty fast.

[sneezles]

The fish sold at my "local" HEB has all the fish tagged as either fresh or previously frozen but most all is previously frozen even the Gulf shrimp.

[blazedog]

I only like fresh fish and don't buy from a supermarket because the quality of fish is generally pretty mediocre from a standard supermarket.

I've tried TJ frozen fish and it's just not as good as fresh fish -- of course frozen fish is probably better than fish that is past its prime.

I'm lucky enough to have a number of sources -- there are small fish stores and the Asian markets generally have super quality fish. 99 Ranch even has tanks so one get get live fish.

[kaygee1]

I always buy fish & eat it that same night as well.
Blazedog, do you ever go to the SM Seafood Store?

[Andrea_2]

I buy all my seafood fresh to use the same day at Whole Foods or a seafood market.

This is what I do too. At the Whole Foods fish counter, they told me that some fish is previously frozen, and that it depends upon whether or not the fish is in season. We have a great seafood market here, so I tend to buy from them more often. I tried Trader Joe's frozen fish once, and I thought it was the worst fish I ever tasted. I'm not sure if it was just a bad batch, or if it is always that way, but I haven't been eager to try it again after that.

[blazedog]

I always buy fish & eat it that same night as well.
Blazedog, do you ever go to the SM Seafood Store?

Ha ha -- at first I couldn't figure out what esoteric store you are talking about and then realized Santa Monica Fish Market -- yes?

It's pretty out of the way for me to buy there but I eat the fish from there quite a bit because my best friend lives in Cheviot and her husband will pick up stuff from them when I eat at their place.

I have used to go to some fish markets on Fairfax but they have been closing down.

I have also heard good things about some fish markets in Koreatown but I haven't been able to track one down.

[margeslp]

You'd be surprised if you were not on the coast. I can get nearly anything, if not more, from the freezer case at Jungle Jim's vs what they have "fresh" (thawed) at their counter. But hey I live at least 9 hours from the closest ocean port so I work with what I can get. Also I don't really trust their answer--the guy at the counter told me sure you can freeze it--the next time I went the guy told me not to (re-) freeze anything from their "fresh" counter. So who knows what to think. Also, I have been told elsewhere that it is illegal to sell never frozen fish as sushi quality--by law if it will be used for sushi it must have been frozen to kill germs. Was the person wrong?

I LOVE Jungle Jims. Spend hours there everytime I visit my son in Cincinnati. Haven't sampled their live fish since Mitch is vegetarian. Am trying to upload picture of their fish tank.
I have heard also that most fish inland has been frozen. A clerk at the counter of my local supermarket recognized I was taking large quantities of the "fresh" fish for my freezer and suggested he bring out frozen from their freezer for me so I didn't refreeze. Now I know enough to ask.

[KristiB]

OK as a test I bought some frozen cod at Fry's. I usually buy fresh at Whole Foods.

There is definitely a difference in quality as the Fry's Wild Alaskan Cod tasted like urine. I'm not kidding! Even BF spit it out and used profanity and told me never to buy that again.

I had also bought some mahi there to use for fish tacos and found a big vein running through it so a lot of the fish was inedible.

Be a reverse snob and say what you will about "whole paycheck" :rolleyes: but you definitely get a higher quality of fish.

I'm definitely willing to pay more.

[Canice]

I remember "pee fish" from my childhood. It's not as tasty as it sounds.

As for the tired and unoriginal "Whole Paycheck"...well, there are options; no reason not to shop elsewhere if you find that store objectionable. But yea: if I had only *one* choice of where to go for fish if I were entertaining [insert food luminary of your ideal] that would be my choice. They can give loads of information about the type of fish, the provenance of that particular catch, and aren't offended if you ask to take a whiff. Great variety and you can see how fresh it looks up front. Oh, and they'll cut a tiny 3 oz piece if you ask - which I often do.

Sorry for your lousy experience. Heading off in a few to broil the tiny halibut fillet I purchased from them this evening..

[Peweh]

I'm spoiled living in New England close to the coast so we have a lot of nice small Fishmonger shops to choose from; mostly I buy swordfish, lobster & scallops (only the local tiny bay scallops) so always fresh but I think around here, all shrimp is previously frozen. I still buy it and enjoy it.

[matunechka]

Of course, to use fresh fish is much better for our health. It contains more phosphorus than frozen fish. During freezing the fish loses it's quolities!

[vbak]

I buy frozen because I live in Indiana and fish is not fresh here. But, there is definitely a difference between fresh and frozen. We were i Mexico in March, and we bought mahi, shrimp, and snapper from the fish monger. The fish had just been delivered when we got there and it was delicious.

[ljt2r]

Here's a question for ya: would you rather have frozen fish from a more reputable place (i.e., Jungle Jim's) or fresh from someplace like Kroger's, and not even a particularly nice one? Because some of us don't just live in the interior, we also live in BFE which means we cannot get to the nicer place that often.... but this is a sincere question, I am new to seafood, maybe I have written off Kroger's too fast....

PS Canice your $6 halibut would buy me maybe 3-4 oz here. That's the other thing, expensive fish in the interior is really freakin' expensive. I wanted halibut last time I was at Jungle Jim's but I just could not stretch my budget to buy $30/lb for family of 4 fish....

[vbak]

I would rather have frozen fish living where I do in Indiana. Now fresh lake perch is a different story-delish, that is if you can find it.

[blazedog]

Here's a question for ya: would you rather have frozen fish from a more reputable place (i.e., Jungle Jim's) or fresh from someplace like Kroger's, and not even a particularly nice one? Because some of us don't just live in the interior, we also live in BFE which means we cannot get to the nicer place that often.... but this is a sincere question, I am new to seafood, maybe I have written off Kroger's too fast....

PS Canice your $6 halibut would buy me maybe 3-4 oz here. That's the other thing, expensive fish in the interior is really freakin' expensive. I wanted halibut last time I was at Jungle Jim's but I just could not stretch my budget to buy $30/lb for family of 4 fish....

I think it's hard to generalize. Generally the fish at the standard supermarket is mediocre -- If you know about fish, you can examine it because sometimes they will have something acceptable.

I do have friends who have fairly high food standards who do buy and enjoy frozen fish from reputable sources like TJ. I do think that if one is using frozen fish, it generally needs to be done in a recipe that works around its problems whereas really good fresh fish can stand on its own.

Good halibut is expensive -- heck even mediocre halibut like the previously frozen stuff at Ralphs (the Kroger chain in Los Angeles) is expensive.

[sneezles]

Here's a question for ya: would you rather have frozen fish from a more reputable place (i.e., Jungle Jim's) or fresh from someplace like Kroger's, and not even a particularly nice one? Because some of us don't just live in the interior, we also live in BFE which means we cannot get to the nicer place that often.... but this is a sincere question, I am new to seafood, maybe I have written off Kroger's too fast....



Frozen is the better choice for most regardless of your food standards (I'm fairly certain most of us have fairly high standards :rolleyes:). Deep water fish is only shipped frozen and if it's labeled fresh then your market is lying!

[Canice]

Here's a question for ya: would you rather have frozen fish from a more reputable place (i.e., Jungle Jim's) or fresh from someplace like Kroger's, and not even a particularly nice one? Because some of us don't just live in the interior, we also live in BFE which means we cannot get to the nicer place that often.... but this is a sincere question, I am new to seafood, maybe I have written off Kroger's too fast....

I would imagine I'd be going with the frozen from a reputable place! I see mainstream supermarkets like Safeway trying to give the impression of having a fish counter but most of the stuff there does not look appealing at all. Plus, there never seems to be anyone buying from them, which suggests that even if it's not as un-good as it looks, it's likely been sitting around. At one of my favorite places to buy fish, it looks like it just came out of the ocean, and the whole fish have bright eyes and gills and look nearly alive. If the stuff at your Kroger's looks like what I see at Safeway, I'd go straight to the freezer section!

[sneezles]

I would imagine I'd be going with the frozen from a reputable place! I see mainstream supermarkets like Safeway trying to give the impression of having a fish counter but most of the stuff there does not look appealing at all. Plus, there never seems to be anyone buying from them, which suggests that even if it's not as un-good as it looks, it's likely been sitting around. At one of my favorite places to buy fish, it looks like it just came out of the ocean, and the whole fish have bright eyes and gills and look nearly alive. If the stuff at your Kroger's looks like what I see at Safeway, I'd go straight to the freezer section!


You can always ask for the fish from the freezer behind the fish counter. If the fish is from farther than the Texas Gulf then I buy it frozen from the fish counter. Also ask them to let you smell the fish on display...

[Canice]

The first time I asked to do that I felt so self-conscious, but they sure as heck didn't mind!

[ljt2r]

You can always ask for the fish from the freezer behind the fish counter. If the fish is from farther than the Texas Gulf then I buy it frozen from the fish counter. Also ask them to let you smell the fish on display...

At Jungle Jim's they just lead you to the freezer case--have always claimed it is the same.

[Kristilyn1]

it is my understanding that fish does NOT have to be labeled as "frozen" or even "previously frozen"..if it was flash frozen on the boat. That said, I of course heard that from my fish guy..........however, I do know that some varieties of seafood are simply not available as "fresh" because they are not caught as a day catch. They are caught as part of an extended fishing trip, where it would not be feasible to not freeze the fish until they come into port. I thought that scallops were considered such a catch? Living in New England, I guess I should know, but I don't.

Either way, it reminds me of my favorite "fish story" about how fresh something is. A woman came up to the fish counter and asked if the lobster were fresh. The guy said, "well, yeah---they are still alive, they don't get any fresher than that". She still insisted on knowing whether they were "fresh" or not.....apparently she was concerned with how long ago they were in the ocean? Kinda silly to me.

Shrimp around here are always frozen or previously frozen, so those I don't get fresh. Other fish, it depends. For me, it's more about WHO is doing the freezing in terms of whether it tastes good or not......so not sure if handling factors into it or not, but it seems to, to me.

Kristi

[KristiB]

I don't mind if it's previously frozen but I'd rather examine it in it's thawed state before buying. :) That's what I mean by "fresh".

[Kay Henderson]

I buy both, but in inland California, frozen is often better than fresh. Because of the delay, I cook fresh fish the day I buy it. (An interesting comparison -- I remember reading that in Spain, fast trains take ocean fish to Madrid the same day. This has been going on for over 100 years. We neverhave fish that fresh in my part of the world. Go figure.)

Kay

[Canice]

Either way, it reminds me of my favorite "fish story" about how fresh something is. A woman came up to the fish counter and asked if the lobster were fresh. The guy said, "well, yeah---they are still alive, they don't get any fresher than that". She still insisted on knowing whether they were "fresh" or not.....apparently she was concerned with how long ago they were in the ocean? Kinda silly to me.

Reminds me of the story in the introduction to his book Heirloom Beans, in which Steve Sando recounts the story of the customer demanding to know whether his dried beans are vegetarian :rolleyes:

[ljt2r]

Reminds me of the story in the introduction to his book Heirloom Beans, in which Steve Sando recounts the story of the customer demanding to know whether his dried beans are vegetarian :rolleyes:

Well some them of do taste rather bacony, you know. :D