The dream of fresh seafood
Do you love delicious fish, wonderful shrimp, and freshly caught spiny lobsters? Then Thailand is a dream destination for you. Not just because of the quality of the produce, but also because of the low prices! Whether you enjoy these delicacies at a restaurant or buy them at a market to prepare yourself, you need to make sure the produce is really fresh!
Spotting fresh-caught fish or shrimp is no magic trick! I’ll show you how easy it is!
How to tell for sure if fish is fresh
Would you like to enjoy delicious fish at a Thai market or at a beach restaurant in the evening?
Very important: check out the display before you sit down! And pick out YOUR fish yourself!!
You probably can’t touch it in a restaurant. There’s only one thing to do: look me in the eyes, little one 😊
1) The fish should have bulging, clear, shiny eyes. If they’re cloudy and sunken: steer clear!
At a market, they can even touch the fish or have the vendor show it to them up close:
2) The fish is fresh if it’s bright red and moist behind the gills! If it’s dry there and the colour is turning brown, leave it!😊
3) The skin should have a light, fresh-looking sheen.
4) Press the meat lightly with a finger; it should spring back!
5) Fish shouldn’t smell fishy, but of the sea!! Otherwise, it’s been sitting out in the fresh air for a few days😉
How can I tell if shrimp are fresh?
A visit to Thailand isn’t complete without enjoying the seafood. Freshly caught, it’s simply unbeatable—and much cheaper than back home. Shrimp are especially popular, from every kind of small shrimp to large, delicious tiger prawns! Want to cook shrimp yourself or enjoy them at a beach restaurant? Then make sure they’re fresh. As tempting as they may be, you don’t want to upset your stomach. You need to be sure the fish on your plate is safe to eat. The most important thing is that the seafood is fresh. You can tell for yourself by checking the following points.
NEW!
1) The shrimp must be translucent/transparent all the way to the legs!
2) The antennae are long, straight and firm.
3) Smell: fresh sea air, not fishy!
4) Shrimp should look firm, not mushy. They should also feel firm and hold their shape when you touch them.
Not fresh!
1) The shrimp looks white
2) The shell has a milky color
3) Orange stripes appear on the head
4) Shrimp is slightly greenish: THROW IT OUT!
5) The antennae droop like the branches of a weeping willow
6) When you pick up the shrimp, they droop and don’t hold their shape!!