It’s no secret that when it comes to seafood there’s plenty of rumours and myths about what and how to eat seafood. Seafood has been the victim of all these myths for many years and some of them have damaged the reputation of certain seafood. Today we are going to debunk seven of these fishy myths which we consider to be the most famous ones.
Myth # 1- All fish contains dangerous levels of mercury
This is not completely true but is typically more common for bigger fish because they eat the smaller fish which are the ones that eat the mercury-containing plants and other tiny animals. Hence why large predators like sharks and swordfish tend to have higher levels of toxins and mercury than smaller species such as sardines, anchovies, herrings, mackerels, etc.
Myth #2 - Oyster can only be consumed in months that end in “R”
Not true. It is absolutely possible to find quality shellfish all year round. Just remember to get them from a trustful fish market and you should be okay. Watch out for red tide and vibrio, 2 common west coast phenomena.
Myth #3 - Seafood is expensive
Not entirely true. Some types of fish can certainly be pricey but there are many factors to consider, including the season, weather, supply and demand, etc. There’s definitely plenty of economical options of delicious affordable fish that you can find in the fish markets throughout the year, which are very high in protein and omega-3’s.
Myth # 4 - Seafood taste better fresh than frozen
Most chefs cannot tell the difference between a fish that has been frozen and another that hasn’t in a taste test (although experienced chefs may be able to tell the difference by looking at the fish upon receipt). Recent studies show that frozen seafood is as good as the one labeled as “fresh”. So yeah, it’s perfectly fine for people to buy.
Myth # 5 - Unopened mussels should be discarded
Not necessarily true. This applies to already cooked mussels. It is okay to eat mussels that are closed but can be easily opened. Now, if you are struggling to open the mussels that means that those are likely to be still raw on the inside, which might not be good to eat. At the end of the day it’s up to you but use your best judgment, but we think better to be safe than sorry.
Myth # 6 -Don’t eat fish on Monday
This is completely based on a tale claiming that if a store or restaurant doesn’t receive a fish delivery over the weekend then the fish you’re buying won’t be very fresh. And guess what? Yup, it is completely false. The day of the week doesn’t matter but we do recommend to get your fish from a reputable fish market because those vendors will have a better rotation and better sourcing. Plus they will know how to store the fish at the right temperature in the correct packaging method for much longer than a regular Joe consumer.
Myth # 7 - Oysters are aphrodisiac
Technically this is subjective because if you believe it to be true, then it is. It has been deemed that oysters do have familiarity with the genitalia of a woman. This is likely where this myth stemmed from. And perhaps some people subconsciously think of sex when eating oysters for this reason.
From a scientific point of view however, there are no ingredients that lead to the conclusion that oysters are an aphrodisiac. Its perhaps the biggest seafood myth ever. A lot of studies are still inconclusive and none of this has been scientifically proven. But certainly some delicious oysters won’t hurt in your date nights!
Don’t let these myths fool you into missing out on some of the most affordable, and nutritious food money can buy. Stay informed about all you want to know about seafood here in our 7 seas blog and check out our social media for more great tips @7seasfishmarket.