          
          
                            Buying Frozen Fish
          
               Freezing presents special problems to the astute fish 
          buyer.  Freezing masks the signs of freshness, making it 
          difficult to tell the age of the fish under consideration.  
          There are many signs that indicate good quality however.  
          First, the flesh should be solidly frozen, and there should 
          be no signs of discoloration.  Be sure to look for freezer 
          burn, which is indicated by a white dry appearance around 
          the edges of the flesh, or by ice crystals.  Freezer burn 
          indicates that moisture has been lost, possibly as a result 
          of thawing or refreezing.  In addition, the fish should be 
          wrapped in moisture-proof material with little or no 
          air-space between the fish and wrapping.  There should be 
          no odor.  Once a fish is frozen do not refreeze.
          
