The One Question To Always Ask When Buying Or Eating Any Kind Of Fish In Florida

Experiencing Florida's beautiful beaches and (mostly) sunny weather is something that is not to be missed, and should be on every traveler's bucket list. But there are certain aspects related to enjoying a vacation in Florida that may cause regret and disappointment if you end up leaving without doing them. One of which is none other than the unforgettable experience of savoring every bite of freshly cooked fish that almost melts in your mouth. 

Just be careful though, because many restaurants might deceive you. Even high-end restaurants might label their fish as fresh even when it's frozen or off-season, so be sure to ask a direct question that cannot be avoided such as "Is this today's catch?" to ensure that you're getting the premium quality you're expecting. Many restaurants serve imported fish, which can be quite confusing for a tourist who is not familiar with the types of fish that are locally sourced.

Before ordering the fish, make sure that it is "the catch of the day" or "locally, freshly sourced," otherwise you'll be missing out on Florida's mouth-watering fresh fish that people fly from all over the world to try. Don't just assume that any fish on the menu is the freshest and of today's catch, it needs to either be mentioned or you need to ask before ordering. Otherwise, you'll end up disappointed and eating mediocre fish instead of the quality meal you were expecting.

Fresh fish will have a better taste and texture in your mouth, and will be easy to cook instead of tasting bland. When ordering the "fish of the day," or "today's catch," it's not just about food quality. It is also a way to support local fisherman, which helps sustain coastal communities and manages to keep their local traditions — including fishing in coastal Florida cities — alive. Local fish is also a way to support the environment, as it is an eco-friendly approach with regulated fisheries following sustainable practices and reducing the negative impact on the environment.

By asking if the fish is fresh today, it will force restaurants who value transparency and their reputation to ensure that you get the promised experience. Secondly, look for key terms on the menu such as "catch of the day," "Atlantic fresh," or "Gulf caught," these will most likely indicate the freshness of the fish. Keep in mind when buying fresh fish, there are a few signs to look out for to help figure out if the catch is really fresh or not. The skin which should be moist and shiny with a metallic glow, and if it looks dull or dry it could indicate that the fish has been frozen. Remember that the body should bounce back when pressed and should be firm. Last but not least, a fresh fish has a clean, slightly salty scent similar to the ocean that doesn't put you off, unlike the strong fishy odor that comes with a fish that is past its prime. 

When dining in a restaurant in Florida, be sure to try popular locally-sourced fish that are typically found in Florida such as Grouper, Mahi-Mahi, snapper, and stone crab claws. Other fish to avoid are fish labelled as fresh but do not mention their source, these will most likely be imported such as tilapia or pngiaus. By knowing your fish you'll know what to expect and have a better chance of having a fresh, delicious meal.