Offering a firm, yet succulent texture, and a delicate, slightly sweet flavour, scallops are an elegant seafood that is loved across the world. Best cooked with lemon and a small amount of butter, the secret to brilliant scallop dishes is buying premium quality scallops that are brimming with goodness and delicious taste. Of course, many different shops and markets sell scallops, but not all of them are of the same high quality. Buying low-quality scallops can ruin your recipes, dampen the enjoyment of your guests, and put all your hard work to waste. It’s a disaster that no home chef wants to experience.
Fortunately, here at Prime Gourmet, we pride ourselves on being seafood experts, and our knowledge of scallops goes unrivaled. Presenting a wide selection of raw and frozen Japanese and Canadian sea scallops, you won’t find a more vast or impressive selection of seafood anywhere in the UAE.
Keep reading for our own quick guide on how to buy this amazing type of seafood, and how you can learn to identify the scallops that are truly fresh and delicious, and which are going bad.
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Use your sense of smell
When buying scallops, the smell of them can tell you a great deal. Fresh and healthy scallops should emit a mild and slightly sweet scent, while scallops that are past their best have a strong and unpleasantly fishy smell that is almost ammonia-like.
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Test the texture
High-quality scallops are firm to the touch. If you press into them, they should bounce back, and this indicates that they are fresh and ready for eating. On the other hand, any scallop that feels mushy, wet, or even slimy should be avoided.
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Assess the colour
The colour of scallops is equally important as their smell. Look for scallops that are creamy, off-white, or pale pink, and avoid ones that have a yellow or gray hue, or any with dark spots or discoloration.
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Note moisture levels
Check the amount of moisture that surrounds the scallops. Too much liquid is a sign that the scallops are starting to spoil, while well packaged and carefully produced scallops contain only a small amount of water.
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Research the origin and producers
Scallops that have been sourced sustainably, and produced by ethical suppliers or experienced fishmongers are naturally better quality than those that have been mass produced. For example, at Prime Gourmet, our Canadian and Japanese scallops have been produced under the strictest quality control measures, and frozen to ensure maximum freshness.
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Check the expiration date
It might sound obvious, but don’t forget to check the expiration date of each bag of scallops, or ask the fishmonger when they were plucked from the sea. The fresher they are the better, and you should never risk buying or cooking scallops that have passed their expiration date.
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Don’t judge on size
When it comes to buying scallops, bigger isn’t necessarily better, and size is not always an indicator of quality. Sea scallops are harvested from deeper waters, and so they tend to be quite large. Meanwhile, bay scallops are sourced from the shallower areas of the Atlantic Ocean, and so they are smaller in size. Which one you choose simply depends on the recipe you are cooking, and your own personal preferences.
Buying sea scallops is a fine art
As you can see, there are various tricks and techniques involved with buying scallops. It can take time to find a trusted and reputable fishmonger who always delivers consistently high-quality seafood, and of course it’s not always possible to check elements such as the smell, colour, and consistency of seafood when buying online.
Thankfully, Prime Gourmet takes care of all the hard work for you and selects only the finest, top-quality scallops from across the globe. Our Japanese and Canadian scallops are expertly frozen and packaged raw to preserve their natural flavour. Available for delivery across the UAE, you are sure to fall in love with their juicy and delectable taste.
To view our full range of seafood, including our wide choice of lobsters, crabs, prawns, and juicy premium scallops, please visit the Prime Gourmet seafood page.