Secrets to Choosing the Best Dried Squid

Dried squid has long been a favorite dish for many people, especially for gatherings, drinking sessions, or simply as a snack. However, not everyone knows how to choose delicious dried squid to ensure quality and health safety. In the article below, Ola Squid will share simple yet extremely useful tips to help you choose the best dried squid.

1. How to choose delicious dried squid

1.1. Observe the external characteristics of the squid

One of the simplest ways to choose delicious dried squid is to observe it with the naked eye. Quality dried squid typically has the following characteristics:

• The squid body is straight, thick, feels heavy in hand, with the tail pointed and close to the body, indicating sweet, tender, and naturally chewy meat, not thinly pressed or faked.
• The back of the squid has a natural white powdery layer; this layer is salt crystallized during the drying process. Avoid choosing squid without this layer or with an overly thick layer, as this could be old squid or squid that has been stored in the freezer for a long time.

• The color is light pink to dark pink, the flesh is slightly translucent and not darkened or mottled. Avoid squid with overly dark, mottled colors, or reddish-brown spots, which are signs of old or poor-quality squid.
• Choose squid where the head is firmly attached to the body, indicating the squid is intact, not thawed multiple times or poorly processed. If the squid’s head is detached or loose, it’s likely old squid or was squeezed during transportation.

1.2. Grill the squid over a flame and taste

An effective way to distinguish between good and bad dried squid is to grill a small piece over a low flame. Quality dried squid will cook slowly when grilled, the meat will slightly shrink, emitting a natural seafood aroma that is not too pungent. When torn apart, the squid meat will have clear thin fibers, offering a chewy, crispy texture with a light sweetness, proving it’s real squid dried correctly.

On the other hand, fake or low-quality squid will catch fire quickly when exposed to flame, produce a lot of acrid smoke, and smell like burning plastic. This type of squid often burns black, lacks the characteristic aroma, and is not chewy, tasting bitter or bland when eaten.

1.3. Soak the squid in water

One very effective method for choosing delicious dried squid is to soak it in clean water for about 10-15 minutes. Real, good squid will gradually turn milky white or slightly translucent, without unusually releasing black or reddish-brown color and without bubbling. Poor-quality squid will have the white powdery layer detach when soaked in water.

1.4. Smell the dried squid

Aroma is a crucial factor in identifying delicious dried squid. Properly dried squid usually has a light, natural fishy smell, characteristic of sun-dried fresh squid, not overpowering. If the squid has a strange aroma, a strong, acrid fishy smell, do not buy it, as it could be old squid or treated with preservatives and artificial scents.

1.5. Choose a place to buy dried squid

To ensure you buy delicious, high-quality, and safe dried squid, you should prioritize reputable sellers such as large supermarkets, seafood specialty stores, authorized dealers, or established businesses with clear branding. These places usually offer products with transparent origins, verified food safety, and return policies. If buying online, choose reliable e-commerce platforms with many positive customer reviews and clear product information.

If you are looking for a place to buy reliable, quality dried squid at a reasonable price, Ola Squid is a suggestion you can consider. This is a place that specializes in providing various types of dried squid such as whole dried squid, seasoned dried squid slices, crispy dried squid rolls, etc., selected from clean sea areas. Products at Ola Squid have clear origins, their processing meets food safety and hygiene standards, are carefully packaged, and nationwide delivery is supported. Notably, Ola Squid also has many positive reviews from buyers, giving you complete peace of mind when choosing.

2. Experience in buying delicious and quality dried squid

There are many types of dried squid on the market today, but the most common are one-sun dried squid and traditional dried squid. Each type has its own characteristics, and you need to understand them to make the right choice.

2.1. One-sun dried squid

To choose quality one-sun dried squid, you can rely on the following characteristics:

• Light white powdery layer: Delicious one-sun dried squid usually has a thin, even white powdery layer on the surface. A dry appearance indicates the squid was dried from fresh squid.
• Straight body, thick flesh: Prefer squid with straight bodies, moderate size, and even thickness. They feel dry to the touch and when grilled, the squid expands, revealing fibrous meat, a rich aroma, and a deep sweet flavor.
• Bright color: The squid has a characteristic light pink color, with the body and head connected, not detached. When touched, your hands should not feel wet or have an unusual fishy odor.
• Clear origin: Good one-sun dried squid often comes from clean and nutrient-rich sea areas like Co To, Ly Son, Nha Trang, etc., famous for their pristine marine environment and high salinity, ideal conditions for squid to grow naturally with firm flesh and rich flavor.

2.2. Dried squid

To choose delicious, authentic, and safe dried squid, you should consider the following characteristics:

• Delicious dried squid usually has a fine white powdery layer covering the entire body, indicating the squid was dried from fresh squid and processed correctly. The more even and distinct the powdery layer, the fresher and tastier the squid.
• Quality dried squid typically has a moderate red-pink color, not too dark. The body and head are firmly attached, not falling off, which is a sign of fresh squid.
• Prefer squid with straight bodies, thick flesh, and moderate size. Overly large squid can be tough, while very small ones can be dry and hard. Choose squid that fits comfortably in your hand; firm flesh will yield a rich sweetness when grilled or braised.

• When touched, the squid should feel dry, not damp, not sticky, and have a natural aroma. This indicates the squid was properly sun-dried and not soaked in chemicals.
• Good squid has faint, natural black spots on its skin, a characteristic of fresh squid skin. Conversely, poor-quality squid may have unusual dark red spots or light pink marks.

See more: How much does dried squid cost per kg? Latest price list

3. How to store dried squid

After choosing delicious dried squid, proper storage of dried squid is crucial to preserve its flavor and quality for a long time.

• Seal tightly: After purchasing, put the squid in a plastic bag and tie the opening tightly, or use a vacuum-sealed bag to minimize air exposure. This method helps prevent the squid from becoming damp or moldy during storage.
• Store in the freezer: It is best to store the squid in the freezer at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature range to keep the squid for a long time without losing its natural sweetness and chewiness.
• Do not store with fresh food: Moisture from other fresh foods can transfer to the squid, easily causing moldy squid and loss of flavor. Therefore, store dried squid separately in a dedicated compartment.
• Periodically re-dry in the sun: If storing squid for a long time, approximately every 3-4 weeks, you should take the squid out to sun-dry lightly for about 15-20 minutes to dry it out again, reducing moisture and preventing mold.

We hope that with the tips on how to choose delicious dried squid shared above, you have gained more experience to confidently select quality and flavorful squid. If you don’t know where to buy it reliably, let Ola Squid be your companion. We specialize in providing high-quality dried squid, meticulously selected, processed to ensure food safety, carefully packaged. Don’t hesitate to contact Ola Squid today to order authentic delicious dried squid and receive the most competitive prices on the market.