Oysters and mussles should be alive when purchased in the shell.
A gaping shell which does not close when tapped contains a dead mollusc and should be discarded. |
Loose oysters or mussels should only be in a small amount of liquid usually in jars and have no sour or unpleasant odour. |
Scollops are usually sold without their shells-should be free of liquid and must have a sweetish smell which indicates freshness. |
Crayfish should be alive and active-when held up it curl it's tail beneath it's body. |
Crabs can be purchased dead or alive.
If dead they should smell fresh and salty. |
Prawns when fresh should have a mild odour and firm meat.
Cooked prawns have a pinkish colour. |