Why buy frozen fish – the benefits of frozen

Fish and seafood begins to decline in quality immediately after being caught, so freezing fish as soon as possible retains quality and seals in freshness.

More often than not the fish is frozen at sea whilst still on board the boat. So it could not be fresher! Click here to see our discussion on 'fresh' fish Vs frozen fish. Perhaps you might like to post your view on the subject?

Join us on board Dave Hurford's boat The Constant Friend catching Sardines, Sprats and Herring off the South Devon coast. Dave has fished off Brixham for many years and tells us all about catching the fish we all enjoy buying in our shops .

Quality Fish full of Nutrition

Freezing fish and seafood allows you to eat seasonal fish whenever you want! Thanks to freezing technology we enjoy all fish and seafood regardless of season at affordable prices – offering great nutrition for all the family.

Behind the Scenes of Frozen Fish

Frozen fish is often fresher than 'fresh' fish which can take a week to even reach the shops. Come and join our independent Field Operative go behind the scenes of frozen fish or you can find out what drove him to go to Grimsby Fish Market to document the frozen fish production.

Frozen Fish – Great Value

Frozen fish and seafood can be 25% cheaper than fresh - great value for money! Whatsmore, frozen fish's hugely extended shelf life offers year round price stability. Click here to see more about buying and storing frozen fish. And, buying frozen allows you to use as much or as little as you want – reducing waste because what you don't want goes back in the freezer!

Frozen fish – Helping reduce Carbon Footprints

Buying frozen fish and seafood can reduce carbon footprints – as fresh exotic fish has to be flown in daily from around the world whereas frozen fish keeps for long periods in the freezer. This reduces your shopping journeys and flights neccessary for seasonal deliveries.

Fish is recommended as part of a nutritionally balanced diet. Freezing allows year-round availability so its easy to include in a healthy diet. Freezing stops microbiological activity; including pathogens which cause food poisoning, and spoilage - keeping the family healthy!

Click here to read about Clarence Birdseye's discovery of frozen fish – when he was surveying in the Arctic he noticed that fish left on previous expeditions was perfectly frozen when uncovered months later. He is commonly credited as responsible for modern frozen food as we know it.

Frozen-at-sea fish and cold water prawns

Frozen-at-sea fish and prawns are caught at their peak of quality and frozen within 4 hours giving the freshest and tastiest seafood!

Boat caught
Frozen within 4 hours of catch

Farmed fish and seafood

Farmed fish and seafood such as salmon and warm water prawns are frozen within 4 hours of harvest.

Farm raised and harvested
Frozen within 4 hours of harvest

Fresh fish and seafood caught and landed at main UK ports and sold frozen though normal distribution chain.

Fresh fish, which is caught and sold to a frozen packer, will be frozen within a day of arriving with the processor thereby ensuring it is frozen at fresh market quality, and ready for you to enjoy!

Boat caught, and landed at market
Sold at market and transported to processor on the same day
Processed and frozen within 8 hours giving you optimum quality

Fresh fish caught in local waters and sold in a local market or direct from a boat to the consumer.

This is the freshest fish but volume is very low and you need to live near a local harbour to buy.

Boat caught, normally from a day boat
Sold fresh to you within 2 days of catch

Fresh fish caught and landed at main UK ports and sold through normal distribution chain.

This is perceived as being fresh fish but it can spend a long time within the food chain before it is sold fresh to you, the consumer, especially with modern chill techniques.

Boat caught, allowing sailing to fishing grounds of 3 days, fishing for 3-7 days and 3 days sailing to return to port
Fish can be 10 days old by the time it reaches harbour
Sold at market, processed and distributed to consumer within 4 days
Then sold as fresh to consumer up to 14 days (2 weeks old) from catch, but can be longer depending on packaging and shelf life

Chilled fish

Chilled fish is often frozen fish, which has been defrosted and is then distributed through the chilled food chain.

Follows the same chain as fresh and frozen fish
Predominantly frozen fish sold on the defrost
Sold chilled to consumer

..............................................................................................................................................................

See what happens to fish after it's caught

Our independent 'Food Operatives' go behind the scenes of frozen food by investigating the food we eat at source and by following it through to the shop shelves where we buy it. Our Operatives have visited vegetable farms, fish markets and frozen food manufacturers. They publish their discoveries in our Fresh Frozen Process section.

Nick Adams – Our frozen fish Field Operative

See why Nick went behind the scenes of frozen fish
Check out Nick's frozen fish discoveries

..............................................................................................................................................................

So, you've seen the benefits of frozen fish –
why not try the real thing?

Our chef has created the perfect seafood recipe – all with ingredients from your freezer readily available from shops and supermarkets on your high street...

Scallops and Tiger Prawns with Warm Salad of Artichokes, Fine Beans, Chorizo and New Potatoes. Light Coriander, Lime and Chilli Dressing. Click here for full frozen seafood recipe

Click here for defrosting frozen fish safely

.............................................................................................................................................................

Or, why not try our frozen fish recipe?

theNewIceAge kitchen has got the perfect light meal for after Christmas – a hassle free tasty and healthy dish with ingredients from your high street shops...

Grilled Cod Fillets with Chips and Home Made Tartare Sauce.

Click here for full frozen fish recipe

Click here for defrosting frozen fish safely

Or, click here for a selection of other frozen food recipies

.............................................................................................................................................................