THE SHOPPING GUIDE : HOW TO BUY RESPONSIBLY

THE SHOPPING GUIDE : HOW TO BUY RESPONSIBLY

1.Where to Shop

Many retailers, large and small, do an incredible job offering seafood that inspires. It used to be in America that the vast majority of seafood was bought at specialty seafood markets. These were almost entirely small mom-and-pop shops, and often legacy businesses within a family. In recent decades, seafood purchases have mostly shifted to large grocery stores. While we certainly recommend buying seafood from any trustworthy source, we also recommend supporting smaller independent stores. Yes, it might mean an extra trip in your already busy day, but it can be worth it for the increased variety, expertise, and quality you might find. Some overarching things you should be looking for: Is the store inviting, clean, well-lit? Does it smell like a pleasant sea breeze? Are they wearing clean aprons and gloves?

2.How to Store

It's imperative to keep seafood as cold as possible. Some seafood will stay "fresh" (meaning edible and still desirable) for up to two weeks. This is especially true with some farm-raised products, such as trout, tilapia, and mussels. Just because this is true, doesn't mean we recommend delaying your enjoyment for that long. Keep shellfish away from the refrigerator door to avoid temperature swings. With bivalves, it's important to keep them in a damp environment. Put a damp, clean dish towel or paper towels over the top. Make sure there's some airflow and periodically drain away any liquid they exude. Mussels, clams, and oysters in good condition can last a week or more. A lot of books will tell you to keep seafood in its wrapper on ice in the refrigerator. I find this burdensome. I put seafood in its wrapper in the coldest part of the refrigerator. -BS