Buying the Best Chicken: Key Considerations

When choosing chicken, employing the same caution as you would when selecting vegetables can ensure a satisfactory purchase. This begins with awareness of the multiple factors that denote quality and safety, far beyond just the store packaging. Here's a compiled guide to help you identify the ideal chicken to buy.

1. Appearance & Aroma

High-quality fresh chicken should display a consistent pink color without signs of bruising or tears. It must feel resilient and spring back upon pressing. Its aroma should be neutral; any off-smell signals spoilage.

2. Package Liquid

Avoid buying chicken that has excess liquid in its packaging, typically caused by water immersion processes used to cool the meat. This excess liquid can lead to a diluted flavor and soggy texture, which detracts from the chicken's quality.

3. Chilling Process

Opt for air-chilled chicken instead of water-immersed alternatives. Air chilling involves cooling the chicken through chilled chambers filled with purified air, maintaining the chicken’s natural flavor and preventing waterlogging, thereby resulting in consistent cooking, juicy meat, and better browning.

4. Trim

It’s safer to purchase pre-trimmed chicken to minimize contamination risks during home preparation, ensuring a more hygienic cooking experience.

5. Raised Without Antibiotics

Understanding labels related to antibiotic use is essential. "Antibiotic-free" signifies compliance with specific withdrawal periods post-treatment, while "raised without antibiotics" means no antibiotics were administered at any stage, offering you a healthier choice.

6. Certified Organic

Certified organic chicken adheres to strict USDA National Organic Program standards, often paired with HFAC (Humane Farm Animal Care) endorsement signifying high standards of humane treatment.

7. Enhanced

Avoid enhanced chicken, which undergoes injection or soaking in flavor solutions that may include nitrates, nitrites, and MSG. These additions can increase sodium levels and obscure the chicken’s natural flavor.

8. Vegetable-Fed

Chickens labeled as vegetable-fed have not consumed animal by-products, ensuring a more natural diet and potentially better-tasting meat.

9. Non-GMO Project Verified

Choose chicken that has the Non-GMO Project Verified seal to ensure it was raised on a certified organic, non-GMO diet. This certification, provided by a credible third party, ensures adherence to stringent standards regarding the use of genetically modified ingredients.

By keeping these straightforward points in mind and making informed choices, you can ensure the chicken you purchase will enhance your meals with both flavor and quality.

Earlier, SSP told how to evaluate the quality of pasta.