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When walking into your local fishmongers or supermarket, you may find\u00a0yourself overwhelmed with\u00a0selection of fish available to choose from. To\u00a0ensure\u00a0that you buy the best quality fish we have put together 6\u00a0simple checks for you.<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0SKIN \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0A shiny skin with slime on the surface is a good sign that the fish is fresh and good quality.<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0FINS \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0The fins\u00a0should be clearly defined and perky, not scraggy or broken.<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0GILLS \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0A moist, shiny and pink or red gill is a great sign that the fish is fresh and good quality. Stay away from fish that has brown or faded gills.<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0SMELL \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Remember fresh fish should smell of the sea not fish. Also make sure that the fish smells appetising and not of a smelly odour that you hope will\u00a0 disappear when you cook it.<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0FEEL \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0A good quality fish will always feel firm. Some fish will feel softer than others however if the fish feels flabby or goes slack then this is a sign that the fish has gone stale.<\/p>\n 6)\u00a0EYES \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Fresh fish should have bright clear eyes. Stay away from fish that have cloudy, sunken or red blotched eyes.<\/p>\n Top tip from Rick Stein\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cRather than slavishly going for the fish in the recipe, choose the best looking fish on the counter and use that. Go for the brightest eye, the most sparkling skin. Like wine tasting, it\u2019s easier to make a judgement of quality by contrasting one fish with another.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n