Freshness first

When purchasing salmon, make sure you patronize a reputable fresh-fish establishment and use common sense in selecting your salmon.

Identifying Fresh Salmon:

When whole fresh salmon is filleted, the insides should have an aroma similar to that of fresh fruit, not unlike that of watermelon or cantaloupe. The same can be said for all cuts of fresh salmon. The salmon's skin should be firm and glossy, while the eyes should be bright and the cornea dark. The flesh should be soft, elastic, and somewhat translucent. Its color should be even and there should be no red spots around the eyes. The gills should be red and moist, never brown or sticky. If purchasing portions of salmon, make sure the cuts are smooth and clean. If purchasing packaged salmon, make sure the container is airtight and does not contain liquid. If frozen, the package should be completely solid.