Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Hi,

I was talking with a friend who is big in Salmon fishing out west, when we get on the topic of "Fresh Never Frozen" vs "Previously Frozen", and all the above...

I usually ALWAYS try to purchase "Fresh Never Frozen" when I am at the store/market, but my friend was telling me that technically all fish sold at retail, is at the very least, Flash Frozen... I thought perhaps that was governed by state, being that he is in CA and WA, but he said it's every state.

What's the truth and story behind this?

I asked the guy at Whole Foods while trying to buy some "Local Mahi", and he was telling me that their fish are line caught, and never Flash Frozen...

So, who is right? Can anyone explain perhaps in more depth?

Thanks

Jon

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Here's an easy one.......

Go fishing!!!! It's as organic as it can get. And only goes in the freezer if you put it there.

Haha. Good luck on finding the answer though.

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Where can I catch salmon off the Jersey Shore? ;)

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Actually an interesting topic!!! I have a friend who loves fish but certain fish give him an allergic reaction! Reactions started years ago and were ver slight like hives or nausea and have gotten progressively worse over the years! Now I know what most of you are think it is shell fish or mercury allergy well your wrong! No reaction to shell fish and fish with supposed lower mercury contents give him bad reactions! The only other thing I could think of is handling and processing precudure from boat to sale! Turn out there is a histamine that is released from fish after they did and this histamine gives a verity of GI and dermatological reactions but very few respatory issues which is my friends allergy to a T! Now trying to do more research to see if flash freezing fish whole at immediate catch will decrease the release of this histamine! Obviously if the fish dies before frozen this histamine will be released! Would be interesting to know if local "fresh" fish is ever frozen in any way! Would love to test some of these theories but don't would feel a little bad using my human friend and a test rat if anything had happened!!! Hahahaha

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Haha I know. I was just kidding with you. Plenty of good eats out here though....

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Each way you store fish has it benifits
Frozen fish when dont correctly gets rid of all bactira and parisits, most Fine Dining Japenese Resturants buy most of there fish fresh then freeze it to protect the quality and for safety reasons.

The reason you buy fish fresh is to make sure the fish is fresh. Then you can cryovac it and freeze it. Buying it pre frozen you dont know the freshness

But there is nothing like catching a fish today and then preparing it never frozen. You taste the sea . The one thing I do after cleaning or fileting it I let it rest for a day and the flesh of the fish seems to relax and you have better taste and texture

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

i personally never freeze fish i catch, it depends on the species but i can taste the difference. my friend vacuum seals it and then freezes it and claims that it tastes exactly the same when you use it months later but idk.

i'm with fishstix, catch it and eat it fresh, who knows how long it took to get from the water to the boat to the warehouse to the store...

have you ever tried the landlocked salmon in two of the lakes in north nj? not sure how they compare to 'normal' wild salmon (probably not near as good, but hey you never know) I have yet to catch one but if i get one i'll let you know.

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

If your going to freeze fish never rinse in freshwater and remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag or vacuum seal. The saltwater does a great job preserving the meat.

As far as buying fish..... I can't help you there. The only seafood I purchase are shellfish always fresh and alive.

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

I don't know about fish but chicken can be brought in at 20 degrees to a supermarket and Perdue can call it fresh.

Re: Random question about "Fresh Never Frozen" vs 'Flash Frozen' etc.
 

Thank you for all responses so far.

I agree with most posts here.

Still want to hear/find out whether or not fish claimed to be "Fresh - Never Frozen" at retail, are actually never frozen to any degree; ie: flash frozen.