Seafood Handbook Glossary

Glossary of seafood terms from Seafood Handbook: The comprehensive guide to SOURCING, BUYING and PREPARATION, brought to you by the editors of SeaFood Business magazine. Browse terms below and be sure to explore the Seafood Handbook »

Items found: 5

Refreshed

Also “previously frozen.” Seafood that has been frozen, often in blocks, then slacked out for resale.

Retort Pouch

A flexible package made of layered plastic and metallic–colored foil as an alternative to traditional cans. The layers of a retort pouch may be clear or opaque. Most are “see–through” on the top with foil on the bottom, to avoid confusion with vacuum–sealed products.

Rigor Mortis

The temporary stiffening and rigidity of muscles following death. Prolonged rigor mortis helps to maintain fresh–fish quality, because intense bacterial spoilage does not begin until after rigor mortis, with its high acid levels, has passed.

Roe

Fish eggs; used for caviar or sold “as is” to specialized markets.

Round

Whole, ungutted fish; shrimp that has been peeled but not split or deveined.