Choosing fresh and tasty fish is key to creating an appetizing dish. One common question is whether to opt for fish with a longer or rounder body. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
Why Choose Fish with a Longer Body
Characteristics: Fish with longer bodies tend to be slender and thin, such as snakehead fish, mackerel, scad, and barracuda.
Pros: Most types of long-bodied fish have firm, lean meat with less fat. They are ideal for frying, grilling, or cooking in sour soup.
Additionally, dishes made from long-bodied fish tend to be more flavorful and less flaky. These fish are perfect for those who prefer leaner, less fatty meat. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, including stewing, grilling, frying, or making sour soup, and always taste delicious.
Tips for Choosing Tasty Long-Bodied Fish
Look for fish with shiny, glossy skin and bright, undamaged scales. The gills should be a fresh red color, and the eyes should be clear, not cloudy. These signs indicate that the fish is fresh and worth the money. Also, when pressing the fish’s body with your hand, the meat should feel resilient and not too soft.
Why Choose Round-Bodied Fish
Characteristics: Round-bodied fish have a plump shape, like carp, tilapia, and bighead carp.
Pros: Most of these fish have softer, fattier meat with more fat content. They are excellent for stewing, steaming, or deep-frying. These fish naturally have a sweet taste and easily absorb flavors during cooking. Additionally, their high-fat content makes them ideal for dishes that require a softer texture and more fat.
Tips for Choosing Tasty Round-Bodied Fish: Opt for fish with thick, round bellies, but avoid those that are overly swollen, as this could indicate spoilage. Also, check that the scales are firmly attached to the skin. Smell the fish to ensure it has a fresh, typical fish aroma and not any strange odors. When buying fish, look for clear, bright eyes and avoid those with dull eyes or abnormal spots or slime on the body, as these could indicate that the fish has been dead for a long time.
Choosing Fish Based on the Dish
When shopping for fish, consider the dish you want to prepare. If you plan to cook something flavorful and need firm meat (such as grilled or fried fish), go for long-bodied fish.
On the other hand, if you prefer softer, fattier, and more absorbent meat (ideal for stewing or steaming), round-bodied fish is the better option.
Personal Preference: Those who prefer leaner, less fatty meat should choose long-bodied fish, while those who enjoy fattier, softer meat should opt for round-bodied fish.
Freshness is Key: Regardless of the body shape, freshness is the most critical factor in determining the quality of the dish. Always prioritize live, vigorously swimming, or recently caught fish.
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Fish
Purchase fish from a reputable source that guarantees the cleanliness and origin of the fish. Avoid fish with a strong, pungent smell, cloudy eyes, pale gills, or soft, mushy flesh. If buying frozen fish, check the expiration date and ensure it hasn’t been thawed and refrozen multiple times.
