The Seafood You Should Never Buy Frozen

Folks who live in coastal cities may enjoy fresh fruits of the sea without giving frozen seafood a second of consideration. Frozen fish may get a bad wrap, but it may be a better option than the fresh catches from the seafood counter for those of us who are surrounded by land, according to Wild Alaskan Company.

Often, the fresh seafood you can buy at the grocery store has been stored on ice for some time during transportation and processing before it makes it to your local counter. Sometimes, it's frozen and then thawed to preserve the appearance of freshness. While there's no way to tell exactly how long a piece of fish has been chilling, you can bet on the fact that its quality won't be what you expect of something "fresh."

If purchasing fish that's freshly caught that day isn't in the cards for you based on where you live or what's available, frozen seafood is the next best thing, per The Better Fish. That's because it's usually frozen in its freshest state to retain its color, texture, and shape. Some of the best seafood has been frozen before it gets prepared. However, there's one type of seafood you should always avoid in its frozen form.

Frozen fish can offer better quality than fresh seafood from the grocery counter because it's frozen right after it's caught, according to The Better Fish. But, if you're planning to have scallops on the menu for your seafood feast, it's best to avoid buying them from the freezer section, per a Mashed report. One of the mistakes everyone makes when buying scallops is opting for the pre-frozen alternative.

When frozen, these bivalves are known as wet scallops, Splendid Table reported. Typically, they contain added water and sodium tripolyphosphate. These preservatives cause the scallops to take on a lot of excess moisture. And the sodium tripolyphosphate can give them a rubbery texture. Seafood company Fish Ex explained that dry scallops, on the other hand, don't contain these preservatives and have a natural, sweeter flavor. They also better develop a beautifully caramelized exterior than their frozen counterparts.