Often times, we’ll see seafood in the market that is sold as “previously frozen.” Although the seafood may look fresh, there are several differences between previously frozen and fresh seafood in NH. Here at Bentley’s Roast Beef, our seafood comes fresh from the boat. Here are a few reasons why fresh is better:

What does previously frozen mean?

If you’re browsing the local fish aisle and come across a previously frozen section, it means just that. Typically frozen within hours after being harvested, fish will be frozen and sold off to retailers. However, many stores will thaw the fish for presentation purposes before making it available to consumers.

Proper defrosting is imperative for safety.

If you do purchase frozen fish, the proper defrosting process must occur to avoid the risk of bacteria growth. Although there are several methods of defrosting, there is only one that provides the safest path for consumption. This way requires you to remove the fish from its packaging and defrost in the refrigerator. However, you need to plan ahead as it can take up to a full day for your fish to thoroughly defrost.

Can I refreeze thawed fish?

According to the USDA, it’s okay to refreeze fish as long as it was correctly handled. Pretty scary thought, right? The rules state that if fish has been thawed in the refrigerator and held there for no more than two days, you can refreeze it.

What would happen if the fish was old?

One sure sign of expired seafood is the overbearing “fishy” smell. However, if you’re playing the freeze/thaw game, this may not be as apparent. Therefore, you’re playing a risky game of consuming old seafood. However, it only typically takes two hours after consumption to know you ate something bad. Some of the most common signs after consuming expired seafood include; nausea, vomiting, chills, and diarrhea. Unfortunately, it can take up to three days for symptoms to subside.

Why should I choose fresh fish?

By opting for fresh fish, you can lessen many of the concerns listed above. There is no freeze/thaw process involved that can eliminate the obvious odor of expired seafood. You can be confident that your seafood has been handled correctly as the signs are quite obvious if it was not. Furthermore, you can be certain you’re eating a meal that was recently harvested, not potentially stored away for months.

With no assurance that your seafood has been appropriately handled, why take the chance? At Bentley’s Roast Beef, we only serve our customers fresh NH seafood, never frozen. Stop by today or click here to view our menu. Our team of professional chefs promise a mouth-watering, fresh experience that will have you coming back for more!