Is refrigerated seafood fresher than seafood displayed on ice but uncovered
seafoodshopping
I'm guessing that seafood displayed in refrigerators aren't exposed to room temperature
would be fresher than seafood exposed on ice?
Best Answer
Based on your other post, I am assuming you are in Canada. And in Canada, fish have to be labeled previously frozen or fresh based on its storage history. So assuming we are only talking about the ones labeled fresh. Here is what I have experienced.
Between choices above the "fresher" option doesn't really exist both options the fish have been sitting for some time. As a result that "shore-side" freshness is lost. However, a more optimal tasting fish would be from the covered ones because it is chilled and has not exposed to room temperature air for as long. This helps preserve the moisture and texture of the fish.
The other thing to consider is, were the fish (or other seafood) farmed or naturally caught. Because, and this is especially true for fish, the taste will differ greatly, as will even the colour of the meat.
So in short - the covered one is more "fresh" and neither is truly fresh.
Paella is a specific type of rice dish, cooked in a wide, flat pan. Although sesfood is typical, it can also be made without seafood. (I typically just do chicken and sausage)
Casseroles, however, are typically a higher sided earthware or similar dish, and baked. They typically have starch, but it might be rice, noodles, or a biscuit top. They might use a cream based sauce, or cheese, which would not be included in a paella.
In the case of quickly perishable items like meat, when it's not an advertised sale, shops will sharply discount prices if they anticipate that they will be otherwise left with product beyond the sell-by date. So the answer to your question is both yes and no.
There is nothing wrong with buying something just before the sell-by date, but you do need to use or freeze it sooner rather than later. For everything but seafood, I jump all over those sales. I can barely tell the difference between super-fresh and right-at-the-sell-by-date for most items. Seafood is an exception for me, but that is just me. I will pay extra to get super-fresh seafood, even though I'll buy milk and meat right at the sell-by date if it saves me a few pennies.
So in this case, like many others, the key to making an informed choice lies in reading the label. No reputable grocery will alter the sell-by date. At least in the US, getting caught doing that will close a shop down and land people in jail. So read the label (or the tag on the meat-case window), and be informed about what you are buying.
Best Answer
Based on your other post, I am assuming you are in Canada. And in Canada, fish have to be labeled previously frozen or fresh based on its storage history. So assuming we are only talking about the ones labeled fresh. Here is what I have experienced.
Between choices above the "fresher" option doesn't really exist both options the fish have been sitting for some time. As a result that "shore-side" freshness is lost. However, a more optimal tasting fish would be from the covered ones because it is chilled and has not exposed to room temperature air for as long. This helps preserve the moisture and texture of the fish.
The other thing to consider is, were the fish (or other seafood) farmed or naturally caught. Because, and this is especially true for fish, the taste will differ greatly, as will even the colour of the meat.
So in short - the covered one is more "fresh" and neither is truly fresh.
Hope this helps.