Tips for Buying Seafood
How to Buy Seafood - Advice from a professional chef
Grouper
St. Petersburg Times photo
Recently I received an email from Diane who wanted to know why the grouper she bought in bulk didn’t look like grouper she purchased in the past. In fact, she questioned whether or not it was really grouper at all. Here’s what she said,
“I have been a grouper lover for years and up until recently I have enjoyed it frequently. I purchased it through a food company that provides meat, poultry and fish in bulk. In my last two orders I have received a fish that they are calling grouper, but it doesn’t look or taste like grouper.
I am used to a nice white very light fish. This fish is off white with brown coloration through it and it is a very thick fish. It doesn’t flake like grouper; it forks off in larger pieces. The company is insisting that it is grouper, just a different kind.
They said that there was a problem with the grouper from Florida so they are getting it somewhere else. I told them that all grouper is a translucent white thin fillet until cooked. Is it possible that I am getting grouper? I have no idea where to turn with this issue….” - Diane

Buying Seafood
So here was a situation where Diane was buying fish site unseen, very similar to when a chef buys fish from his supplier without seeing it. He has to trust his fish purveyor will bring him what he wants and the fish people know he will return it if it does not meet his specifications. We have the advantage of going to the market, seeing the fish and if feeling bold, asking the fishmonger to let us smell it for freshness.
Most of us wouldn’t dream of smelling fish before purchasing but it is a good practice to get into. Nothing is more frustrating than buying some fesh fish at the market only to bring it home, give it a smell and realize it is not as fresh as you thought it was. By asking the fish person to smell it, they realize you know what you are doing and will give you a little more consideration next time you come in to buy fish.
What Does A Professional Think?






