Tips for packaging live seafood for long-distance transportation
Live seafood is a preferred choice for many people. When it comes to transporting seafood over long distances or purchasing it as a gift, packaging and transportation methods require knowledge and experience. To learn more about how to package and transport live seafood, below are some pieces of information that KINGFISH will share with you.
I/ Selecting fresh seafood for longer preservation
In addition to packaging methods, preserving the freshness of seafood during long-distance transportation requires attention to the following:
1. Choosing live seafood
The most crucial aspect is to select the freshest live seafood possible. The fresher the seafood, the easier it is to preserve and maintain its quality for an extended period. Look for live fish that are still swimming. If live fish are unavailable, choose dead fish with bright eyes and press lightly on their bodies; the fish should quickly return to their original shape.
2. Specific seafood considerations
• Squid: Choose larger squids with thick bodies and intact ink sacs, avoiding any broken ones. This ensures that the squid remains fresh and of high quality.
• Shrimp: For live shrimp, choose ones that are active and show no signs of death. If shrimp are already deceased, select those with a whitish or reddish color. The shrimp’s body should be firm and not soft, with the head tightly attached to the body. Additionally, ensure there is no foul odor.
• Crab, clam, and other shellfish: Choose ones that have no strange odor, tightly closed shells, no mouth openings, and tightly covered scales. These indicate that they are still alive and fresh.
II/ Packaging methods for seafood
Knowing how to package seafood will help prolong transportation time and keep the seafood fresh. When it comes to crabs, packaging is relatively straightforward. If you need to transport multiple crabs, simply purchase a foam box, drill holes for ventilation, place a damp cloth on top to maintain moisture, and seal the box.
For other seafood such as shrimp, clams, squid, crabs, and shellfish, which have a shorter lifespan once removed from water, you need to package them using the ice-pack method. Still using a foam box to retain temperature and prevent water leakage, sprinkle a layer of crushed ice and place a layer of seafood on top until the box is full. If you want to reduce bacteria and maintain better hygiene, you can request the seafood to be vacuum-sealed before placing it on ice. Remember to place a final layer of ice on top. Then, seal the box and tape it securely. For added safety, you can wrap a layer of plastic wrap around the foam box.
Remember, the most crucial aspect is ensuring tight and secure packaging to avoid any damage to the seafood during transportation. By applying proper seafood packaging methods, you can keep the seafood fresh and maintain its quality for an extended period.
III/ Note the storage time for each type of seafood
After understanding how to package seafood, it’s also essential to note the specific storage time for each type of seafood since each has a specific timeframe to maintain its freshness before cooking. Exceeding this timeframe may result in loss of flavor and quality.
When purchasing clams, it’s best to cook them within three days. Ideally, they should be cooked immediately as clams are quite sensitive and can quickly lose their delicious meat. For crabs, do not keep them for more than a week and always ensure they are alive. For clams, oysters, and other uncooked shellfish, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. If you want to store them for a longer period, you can freeze them, and they can last for about two weeks.
The most important aspect is to work quickly and ensure proper preservation measures to keep the seafood fresh within the shortest possible time before cooking.
IV/ Conclusion
In reality, there are various methods for packaging live seafood. Depending on the specific type of seafood and the transportation distance, you can choose the most suitable method. We hope that the useful information above helps you understand how to package seafood for long-distance transportation.
