Ideally, freshly caught seafood should be obvious by way of taste. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Whether you’re eating out or on the kitchen table, there are a few ways to tell whether the seafood you’re purchasing is fresh and not fishy. The culinary professionals from Barefoot Island Grill in Orange Beach, AL, always take care to ensure their seafood is fresh from the sea and of the highest quality. Here, they list three ways to determine when you should send back a subpar plate.

3 Questions to Ask Before Consuming Seafood  

1. What Does it Smell Like?

Go ahead and take a big whiff of your seafood before consuming it. If it smells bad, it’s likely gone bad, too. While seafood will understandably smell like it’s from the ocean, there is an apparent difference between fresh and spoiled fish. Fresh seafood has a much milder scent.

2. What Does It Look Like?

Your seafood will also look different depending on its quality. Fresh seafood will be slightly moist, firm, and have a smooth texture. If you’re buying whole fish, they should have vibrant gills of red or pink. The eyes should also be clear and bulging. If the gills and eyes appear colorless, the fish is beyond the ideal timeframe for consumption.

3. Is It Frozen?

While just-caught fish will always taste best, seafood that’s frozen or flash frozen right after it’s harvested from the ocean can also maintain freshness. If you buy frozen seafood, check for a vibrant appearance and satisfactory smell. The packaging should be taut and tightly sealed, with no sign of blood or ice.

For fresh shrimp, ahi tuna, swordfish, and an array of other top-quality, flawlessly prepared seafood dishes, look no further than Orange Beach’s favorite new restaurant. Visit Barefoot Island Grill today for lunch or dinner, or call (251) 256-0055 to make a reservation. You may also check out the menu online.