How to Identify if Your Seafood is Fresh

Buying seafood can feel tricky if you’re not sure what to look for. At FreshKatch, we believe you deserve seafood that’s as fresh as the day it was caught. Here’s a simple guide to help you identify truly fresh seafood before it reaches your kitchen:

🐠 1. Look at the Eyes (for Whole Fish)

• Fresh fish have bright, clear, bulging eyes.
• Dull, cloudy, or sunken eyes usually mean it’s not fresh.

👃 2. Trust Your Nose

• Fresh seafood should smell mild, like the sea or ocean breeze.
• A strong “fishy” or ammonia-like smell is a red flag.

🫧 3. Check the Gills and Skin

• Gills should be bright red or pink, never brownish or gray.
• Skin should look shiny with tight scales, not dull or patchy.

✋ 4. Test the Texture

• Press gently with your finger – the flesh should spring back.
• If it leaves an indentation, the fish is old.

🦐 5. For Shellfish & Crustaceans (Prawns, Crabs, etc.)

• Shells should be firm, not slimy.
• Prawns should be translucent, not yellowing.
• Crabs and lobsters should feel heavy for their size.

🦑 6. For Squid, Octopus & Cuttlefish

• Flesh should be firm and smooth, not sticky.
• Tentacles should be intact and not falling apart.

❄️ 7. Check the Storage

• Fresh seafood should always be stored on plenty of ice or properly chilled.
• Avoid seafood kept at room temperature for long.

🌊 FreshKatch Promise

At FreshKatch, we source directly from the coast and deliver seafood that passes all these freshness checks. With us, you’ll never have to second-guess the quality of what’s on your plate.