We all want to feel good about the food we serve our families. We want food that tastes great, is full of nutrients and keeps our planet healthy. Frozen seafood is all of those things and more. But a lot of people have the idea that “fresh” – ie seafood that has never been frozen – is superior. Here we break down the difference between fresh seafood and Skipper Otto’s flash frozen options:
Fresh vs Frozen
A lot of the advice out there says that fresh fish is better. But that advice is outdated and just plain wrong. It was good advice years ago, when freezing seafood was a slow process that created tears in the flesh, causing seafood to be mushy and to lose precious nutrients.
But technology has changed; today flash freezing instantly cools to temperatures of -20°F and colder, which does not harm the seafood. With flash freezing, you get a high-quality product with all the nutrients intact.
It’s the same thing with fruits and vegetables. Have you noticed that sometimes the fresh strawberries and other fruits and vegetables you get in the grocery store are bland? That’s because they were harvested before they were ripe so they could be shipped the thousands of miles to your grocery store. Frozen and canned produce, on the other hand, is harvested at peak freshness and is often more nutrient dense, flavourful, and has a lower carbon foot-print than “fresh.”
Fresher than “Fresh” Seafood
Flash freezing suspends the seafood in its most flavourful and nutritious state. If you thaw your seafood correctly, it will be just as nutritious and delicious as the day it was caught.
Most of our Skipper Otto fishermen flash freeze their catch on the boat so it’s “fresher” than the ageing seafood you would get from any grocery store. According to a this Norweigan study, fish that is flash frozen on the boat and then thawed properly is as nutritious as you can get. Delicious and nutritious. What’s not to love?
Flash Frozen Seafood is Safer
The benefits don’t stop there. Flash frozen fish is safer to eat. Studies have found that flash frozen fish can be safe to eat up to ten days after it’s been thawed. Sushi is often thought of as the highest grade of fish because when you eat it raw, its freshness can’t be disguised. But did you know that all fish sold as sushi has been flash frozen at some point? It’s the law!
Choosing Frozen Seafood is More Sustainable
Frozen fish is better for the environment. For one thing, we avoid food waste with frozen fish. Fresh fish has a short shelf life and tends to be thrown out when it goes off. Frozen fish has a much better chance of fulfilling its destiny as dinner. The carbon footprint is much smaller with frozen fish as well. Frozen fish can be stored in freezers and shipped by land. Fresh fish, by comparison, is often shipped by air, which has a massive carbon footprint.
On top of all this, frozen Canadian sustainable seafood is so much more convenient! You can thaw a fillet in an hour or cook some of our shellfish with only a few minutes preparation. If your freezer is stocked with high quality flash frozen seafood, you have the basis for a quick, delicious, healthy meal at your fingertips. No more tedious “what’s for dinner?” discussions or last minute runs to the grocery store.
By using flash frozen fish caught by small-scale independent fishing families, Skipper Otto can share Canada’s finest seafood with its members in a way we can all feel good about. Want to get in on the goodness? Become a member now.
