Fishy smell

[Sticks.]

I bought some Haddock today and I have to say it's particularly smelly. Doesn't smell bad, but just strongly of fish (predictably).

It got me wondering exactly why some fish smells more strongly than others. I appreciate freshness, or lack of it, will mean a bad smell will develop, but is that also the cause of it smelling just more fishy. Can we use the good fishy smell to judge freshness?

I did Google 'fish smell', found some interesting answers, but not to my question

[fergywales]

If Haddock smells 'fishy' it is not fresh. Make sure it is cooked properly if eaten tonight, otherwise, bin.

[Sticks.]

Thanks, I'll have good look, and smell and decide. Cheers.

[21TonyK]

Really fresh fish has almost no smell at all so if it is really strong it's getting to the end of it's usefullness. As said, if it really stinks or the texture is particularly soft (Haddock is fairly soft anyway) I'd either eat now or bin.

[Davey S2]

Theres only 2 things that smell of fish.

And one of them's fish.

[fergywales]

Davey S2 said:

Theres only 2 things that smell of fish.

And one of them's fish.

Seafood?

[Noger]

Scampi Fries

[Matt80M]

fergywales said:

Seafood?

Sweaty badgers?

[Mobile Chicane]

Fish and seafood should smell 'briny' / 'of the sea'.

If it smells 'fishy', bin it.

[Simpo Two]

If I remember my schooling, it's when proteins break down into amines.

ETA: Bingo, nitrosamines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrosamine

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 10th April 00:55

[mybrainhurts]

fergywales said:

Davey S2 said:

Theres only 2 things that smell of fish.

And one of them's fish.

Seafood?

[fergywales]

mybrainhurts said:

fergywales said:

Davey S2 said:

Theres only 2 things that smell of fish.

And one of them's fish.

Seafood?

Deliberate whoosh for the family audience