Fresh Vs Frozen - Expanding Grocery Shopping Options

The whole movement to shop locally has definitely done a number on the conscience of those who aren't near a major body of water. Sure, anyone on a coast or near a lake might have the option to enjoy fresh seafood from nearby, but those who aren't that close to the source have to reconsider the world of fish altogether if wanting to follow this whole close-to-home dogma that's swept the country. Even those who might not be obsessed with this new concept sometimes feel that thawing seafood just isn't going to taste the same, and that an inexperienced chef might have more room for error in terms of health.

The truth is that getting frozen seafood can often be good for a number of reasons. It can be friendlier on a budget, especially if it comes from a reliable source that makes a great deal of money on exporting. It can be a dream in the kitchen, not just for recipes where there's less concern about thawing seafood. And it can actually help out conscious shoppers who want to do the best for the environment, considering that choosing the right location to purchase frozen seafood from actually does more for the environment even than shopping locally in many cases.

Take a local fish market and what you're used to seeing on sale. It might be fresh, or you might be dealing with thawed seafood that is being spruced up to appear fresher than it is. An experienced shopper will be able to look a fish in the eye to figure out the difference. If you're dealing with a glassy look, you're looking at a piece of fish that might have been frozen before, without even realizing it. Likewise, sometimes local catches of the day, even when fresh, come from waters where fish populations are dwindling due to overfishing. This means that frozen seafood from places like Alaska, where the icy cool waters are thriving due to strict laws that make overfishing impossible, is actually better for the environment at large than shopping locally.

Going with frozen seafood also means the chance to try out meals that might otherwise be impossible, considering the amount of fresh ingredients available locally. Because not everyone can live close to a fresh fish source or even be able to enjoy oysters or scallops, going with those reliable faraway sources means the chance to completely change up what's for dinner. Whether it happens to be for a special occasion, like a birthday party, or just for an exciting new meal, it makes sense to expand the culinary routine. And with fish such a healthy choice, going for something that is better for the body that also tastes great is a whole lot easier when the world of frozen seafood is opened up.

Looking for great information on everything about Alaska Seafood? ASMI, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, is the best resource on the web for tips on Alaska's ocean bounty.