With an abundance of vitamins, Crawfish brings an increased level of proteins to your diet. It is one of the healthiest food items that you can include in your weekly diet. On top of that, crawfish also brings a rich sweet flavor. People across the nation seem to be in love with this dish and recommend this dish to other users. So, there is no need to concern yourself with the nutritional and health benefits of including this food item in your recipes.
A lot of users have recently asked about how to tell if crawfish have gone bad. If you’re also wondering about the same thing, then the information mentioned here should give you a complete perspective on the crawfish.
How To Tell If Crawfish Have Gone Bad?
While purchasing crawfish, you need to make sure that it is alive. Otherwise, there is a good chance that it is already decomposing, and there is no point in purchasing a dead crawfish. Even though most people say that it takes one or two days for the crawfish to go bad, it is best to avoid any crawfish that is dead. So, you can use this information to decide whether or not the crawfish you’re trying to purchase from the market is fresh.
You can easily set apart a live crawfish from a dead one by inspecting its texture. You’ll notice a straight tail, relaxed muscles, and a slimy shell. However, you shouldn’t try to touch the crawfish because if it is alive, there is a chance that you might lose a finger. So, make sure to be extra careful and stay clear of its pincers if you’d like to keep all your fingers.
The presence of slime on the crawfish shell indicates that it has started to decompose, and you can’t use it in your recipe. Even if you’re getting a good deal on a dead crawfish, there is no point in adding anything to your diet that will harm your health. So, make sure to only purchase crawfish that is alive, and you don’t see any slime on its shell. Similarly, a live crawfish will have a firmer texture, rough shell, and tighter pincers.
With that said, some people also say that you can check the crawfish by smelling the odor. Even though you get a faint odor from fresh crawfish, it is pretty easy to set apart bad crawfish when you’re getting a rotten odor from the item. So, you can rely on all these indicators to decide whether or not it is an excellent option to purchase this particular crawfish from the store.
All in all, there is no point in purchasing dead crawfish, and you can differentiate dead crawfish by inspecting the shell, smell, and firmness of the muscles. So, if any one of these indicators points towards a dead crawfish, then you shouldn’t purchase it. Similarly, if you’ve already purchased the crawfish and there is a bit of mold on it, then you should discard it immediately. That way, you won’t have to deal with health issues down the road.
How Long Can You Store Dead Crawfish?
While there are some people who mention that crawfish can be stored for around three days, it all depends upon the health of the fish and the storing conditions. If you’re using a freezing unit, then there is no harm in storing the crawfish for under three days. However, to stay on the safe side, it is best to consume the fish on the same day it was killed. That way, you won’t have to worry about food poisoning or stomach ache because of its rotten meat.
The only thing that you need to be cautious about is that the crawfish decomposes quickly and develops harmful chemicals that will impact your health negatively. Along with that, your recipe will develop a foul taste, and you won’t be able to enjoy your meal. For this reason, it is always the best policy to stay away from crawfish if you believe that it is not fresh. Aside from all the indicators mentioned above, you should give the most important to your instincts, and if you believe that the crawfish is bad, then there is a good chance that you’re right.