The fish we eat - how to choose fresh fish in the market and beware of the risks of buying spoiled fish

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Since ancient times, man has lived by hunting and fishing. Over the years, with the tremendous increase in the world's population, the consumption of the sea population increased and the sea areas began to be used for human needs. Technology and man's indefatigable greed have caused a "murderous" reduction of the marine spoils. In this article we will present you with information about the fish you eat.

Freshwater pond fish - some imported and some from Israel - fresh tilapia fillets (photo: Motti Mendelson)
Freshwater pond fish - some imported and some from Israel - fresh tilapia fillets (photo: Motti Mendelson)

Importing fish to the local market

Die-hard fish lovers and seafood lovers will not give up fish in Israel, therefore they import fish to the country for the local market from the North Sea from fish ponds, daggers from Senegal, bream from Cyprus, and the like. Tilapia fish are grown in fresh water ponds in Israel, so some of them are also imported from abroad.

Connoisseurs and those who love cooking, surely knew how to tell that the taste of Mediterranean fish is more pleasing to the palate than Red Sea fish. If so, then the reason for this surely depends on the type of food that a certain species feeds on.

Fish in the market of Acre (photo: Motti Mendelsohn)
Fish in the market of Acre (photo: Motti Mendelsohn)

Where do you buy the fish and which fish to buy?

A familiar and tidy place is always better. And what do you buy? Everyone has their own taste. Some people like relatively dry fish meat like the Falmuda, and according to the language used in the farm - intias, tarchon, arianim. There are those who worship the flesh of the minnow stingray, aka the locus fish. Because of its rarity and because of the difficulty of catching it - they raised its price out of all proportion. There is the bream also known as Chipura, or Hajj, and its foreign name is "Sprous Aorta".

Some like the royal morality and the tasty and cheap halerbak that is also suitable for frying. At this point, the health debate begins - should you fry or not? Obviously, it is better without frying, but if it was decided to fry - it is recommended to fry in deep oil when it reaches the boiling point. Don't forget that the skin of the fish absorbs the oil. Therefore, when you take it off after frying, we actually don't eat the fried oil.

A school of mullet fish (kipon) on the beaches of Haifa (photo: Motti Mendelson)
A school of mullet fish (kipon) on the beaches of Haifa (photo: Motti Mendelson)

The stigma on the kipon fish

There is a stigma on the kipon fish - according to which they are full of oil. truth or fiction?

The answer depends on where the fish comes from. If the fish swam in some port in warm water with a low percentage of oxygen, it will rise to the surface of the water to compensate for the lack of oxygen that the species probably dissolves only in adequately cool water. In this way, diesel oil products will enter the internal system of the fish.

A recipe for making mullet fish

The mullet is a delicious fish and is especially suitable for working people because the delicious way to prepare it is to leave it in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp kitchen towel. When you return from work, salt the mullet inside and out like corn. Put in the oven at 250 degrees for twenty minutes without adding any spices or oil. This is an easy recipe that is tasty, nutritious and good for a diet.

And what about frozen fish?

A large part of the frozen fish, marketed around the world and in Israel, comes from giant ships, which fish in deep and clean waters. Workers working in the belly of the ship clean and freeze the fish immediately, thus maintaining a cold chain. For the most part these fish will be pest free.

Despite this, it is clear that their taste is less pleasing to the palate due to the freezing and thawing of the liquids - an action that causes invisible tears in the meat and a decrease in taste. Remember, there is no substitute for fresh fish. Buying the fish is the last stop on the shopping list due to the sensitivity of the meat to bacteria.

Freshness test - how do you know if a fish in the market is fresh?

Buying fresh fish in the market is a skill that can ensure not only the perfect taste of the dish but also the health and safety of the consumers. Here are some tips and guidelines for identifying fresh fish in the market:

Sargus Hapassim (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

1. The smell of the fish

The smell of the fish is one of the first signs that can indicate its freshness. Fresh fish should smell slightly like the sea or be almost completely odorless. If the fish emits a pungent, strong or unpleasant smell, this is a sign that it is not fresh and may even be spoiled.

A cloudy eye indicates a fish that is not fresh (Photo: Motty Mendelson)
A cloudy eye indicates a fish that is not fresh (Photo: Motty Mendelson)
head injured fish. Another reason to see the fish in its entirety (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

2. The look of the eyes

The eyes of a fresh fish should be bright, shiny and slightly protruding. Cloudy, sunken or whitish eyes indicate a fish that is not fresh.

A fish whose eye has disappeared due to some disease - it must not be eaten (Photo: Motty Mendelsohn)
A fish whose eye has disappeared due to some disease - it must not be eaten (Photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

3. The color of the gills

The gills of a fresh fish should be red in color. Gray, brown or green gills are a sign that the fish is not fresh. Pink gill color is borderline lateral.

4. Skin contact

The skin of the fish should be shiny and moist. The fish should not feel flabby, but firm when pressed. Fish that feels too soft or falls apart under pressure is probably not fresh.

Fungus on a fish - a type of bacteria - therefore you must demand to see the fish first (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)
Fungus on a fish - a type of bacteria - so you must demand to see the fish first (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)
A sick fish whose scales are incomplete and whose skin is damaged (photo: Motty Mendelson)
A sick fish whose scales are incomplete and whose skin is damaged (photo: Motty Mendelson)

5. Color the fish

Fresh fish should have a natural and healthy color. Any unusual color change such as yellow or brown spots can indicate a fish that is not fresh.

A sick mullet that was caught in Haifa Bay - its color is different (Photo: Motti Mendelson)
A sick mullet that was caught in Haifa Bay - its color is different (Photo: Motti Mendelson)

6. Checking the scales

The scales of a fresh fish should be smooth and firmly gripped on the skin. If the scales break off easily or look cloudy, this is a sign that the fish is past its prime.

A deformed mullet fish, apparently due to parasites (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)
A deformed mullet fish, apparently due to parasites (photo: Motty Mendelsohn)

7. The belly of the fish

The belly of the fish should be whole and not torn. If the belly is swollen or has holes or tears in it, this indicates that the fish is not fresh. A fish whose body is deformed can testify to trauma, sometimes also due to exposure to chemical substances.

Deformed sea bass and unfresh fish with sunken eyes (photo: Muti Mendelsohn)

8. Parasites in fish

Parasites in fish are an important issue to be aware of when buying. Parasites can be a health hazard, so it is important to know how to recognize signs of their presence.

► Caution: watching the following video may be difficult for some readers:

Parasites in the belly of a lamprey - nematode worms (Photo: Kikozshuili Boris - for Motti Mendelsohn)
Parasites in the stomach of an infected fish - macro shot from inside the fish (photo: Motty Mendelson)
Parasites in the stomach of an infected fish - macro photo from inside the fish (photo: Motty Mendelson)

1. Checking suspicious spots or spots

Parasites may appear as small white dots or dark spots on or inside the fish's body. If you see such signs, you should avoid buying the fish. The white dots are parasites in an early stage of their development and there is a risk of their hatching and developing in the stomach of the person who ate the fish meat. You should avoid eating fish meat that has spots on it.

White dots in tuna meat are intestinal parasites in early stages of development and they may develop in the stomach of humans (photo processing: Yaron Karmi)
White dots in tuna meat are intestinal parasites in early stages of development and they may develop in the stomach of humans (photo processing: Yaron Karmi)

2. The appearance of the flesh

The fish meat should be smooth and without holes or channels that look like they were caused by parasites. Any sign of holes in the meat can indicate the presence of parasites.

3. Contact the seller

Ask the seller about the process of checking and treating parasites. A reliable seller will be able to provide information on the processes he performs to ensure that the fish are free of parasites.

9. Trust in the seller

Whether you buy in a traditional market or a specialized store, it is important to establish contact with the seller and be able to trust him. A reliable fish seller will maintain high standards of freshness and cleanliness and will give you correct advice on his products.

Summary

Knowing the signs to identify fresh and parasite-free fish can improve the shopping experience and prevent health problems. By paying attention to the smell, the appearance of the eyes, the color of the gills, the touch of the skin, the color of the fish and the belly, as well as checking for signs of parasites, you can choose fresh and high-quality fish for every meal.

A successful purchase of fresh and parasite-free fish will upgrade every dish and provide perfect health and culinary pleasure.

With appetite.

contact: At watsapBy email

Motty Mendelssohn
Motty Mendelssohn
Marine researcher (diving, underwater photography) and marine and environmental ecology for 35 years. Lecturer in the field for about 20 years. You can order a lecture, or a series of lectures accompanied by unique and spectacular photos, taken during many years of research, in Israel and abroad, ecological tours within Israel and tours of the Dead Sea sinkholes • 050-7271157 • [email protected]

More articles from the same reporter

8 תגובות

  1. Thanks for the useful and interesting information
    Brings me back to my childhood when I went fishing in Shemen Beach and Kishon.

  2. Really important tips for all the fish lovers we have built, there is no one like you Moti! Always sharing your broad and varied knowledge with us and making it accessible on the web, good luck!!!

  3. There's nothing like fresh fish to sit on. Have a good week to you and the viewers at home.

  4. Hi Motti, our champion. You've already made me hungry with your interesting article. How good we have you. Tremendous knowledge in every field in the sea and on land in fishing and nature, and it even turns out in the recommendations for cooking. Professional thoroughness and you always have something to update us with

  5. Dear Moti, what an article!! You have gathered a lot of important information in one place. Of course, I will keep the article to accompany me later on. Thank you very much and Shabbat Shalom

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