Sensory Assessment Scoresheets 14 5 10 PDF

Sensory assessment scoresheets
for fish and shellfish

- Torry & QIM
Collated by Michaela Archer

Research & Development Department
May 2010
Contents
1.0
Introduction............................................................................................................... 3
2.0
TORRY SCORESHEETS ........................................................................................... 4
2.1. Definitions of some terms used in sensory assessment of fish....................... 5
2.2. Texture Profile....................................................................................................... 6
Initial Characteristics ...................................................................................................... 6
Secondary Characteristics ............................................................................................. 6
2.3. Freshness Score Sheet For Iced Cod ................................................................. 7
Cod - Raw Fish .............................................................................................................. 7
Cod - Cooked Fish ......................................................................................................... 8
2.4. Freshness Score Sheet for Haddock .................................................................. 9
Haddock - raw ................................................................................................................ 9
Haddock - Cooked ....................................................................................................... 10
2.5. Freshness Score Sheet for Iced Flatfish........................................................... 11
Raw fish ....................................................................................................................... 11
Cooked Flatfish ............................................................................................................ 12
2.6. European Hake:................................................................................................... 13
Raw Hake .................................................................................................................... 13
Hake - cooked .............................................................................................................. 14
2.7. Mackerel Scoring Scales .................................................................................... 15
Raw fish ....................................................................................................................... 15
Mackerel cooked ....................................................................................................... 16
2.8. Iced Herring ......................................................................................................... 17
Raw Herring ................................................................................................................. 17
Herring - cooked........................................................................................................... 18
2.9. Salmon ................................................................................................................. 19
Salmon - Raw Fish....................................................................................................... 19
Salmon - Cooked Fish.................................................................................................. 19
Cold smoked Salmon - Freshness ............................................................................... 19
2.10. Trout Score Sheet ............................................................................................... 20
Trout - Raw Fish........................................................................................................... 20
Trout cooked flavour ................................................................................................. 20
2.11. Shrimp Scoresheet - Pink and Brown ............................................................... 21
Raw.............................................................................................................................. 21
Shrimp - cooked ........................................................................................................... 22
2.12. Cooked Scallops ................................................................................................. 23
2.13. Nephrops shell-on tails ...................................................................................... 24
Nephrops - raw............................................................................................................. 24
Nephrops - cooked....................................................................................................... 25
2.14. Cooked squid ...................................................................................................... 26
2.15 Cold Storage Deterioration ................................................................................... 27
2.16 Simple scoring system for smoked fish ........................................................... 28
3.0. QIM Schemes .......................................................................................................... 29
3.1. Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Cod ................................................... 30
3.2. Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Haddock ........................................... 31
3.3. Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Redfish ............................................. 32
1
3.4
3.5
3.6.
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
3.13
3.14
3.15
3.16
3.17
3.18
3.19
3.20
3.21
3.22
3.23
3.24
4.
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Farmed Salmon ............................... 33

Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Coley (Saithe) .................................. 34
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Herring ............................................. 35
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Brill ................................................... 36
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Plaice................................................ 37
Quality index Method (QIM) Scheme for Sole................................................... 38
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Turbot............................................... 39
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Gurnard ............................................ 40
QIM scheme for farmed Atlantic halibut ........................................................... 41
QIM scheme for raw, gilthead sea-bream ......................................................... 42
QIM scheme for thawed, whole cod .................................................................. 43
QIM scheme for fillet from thawed cod ............................................................. 44
QIM scheme for hake .......................................................................................... 45
QIM scheme for frozen headed and gutted hake ............................................. 46
QIM scheme for whole, raw octopus stored in crushed ice ............................ 47
QIM scheme for cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis).................................................... 48
QIM scheme for farmed arctic char ................................................................... 49
QIM scheme for red mullet and gold-band goatfish ........................................ 50
QIM scheme for raw anchovy (E. encrasicholus)............................................. 51
Sensory assessment score for cooked anchovy ............................................. 52
QIM scheme farmed sea bass............................................................................ 53
Estimated Remaining Shelf Life using QIM.......................................................... 54
1.0 Introduction
Using the appearance and/or properties of raw seafood enables the freshness quality to be
determined i.e. freshness quality measurement.
Sensory assessment relies on using the appearance, odour and texture of the seafood to
derive an overall score.
Several sensory assessment methods have been used in the UK over the past 30 years.
These include the Torry Sensory Assessment scheme, the European E-A-B scheme and
the Quality Index Method. Although there are variations in how these schemes work, they
all rely on using the physical characteristics of raw seafood to determine a score or rating
indicating the freshness quality of the seafood. In Torry and QIM the score is used to
estimate the days on ice of the seafood and (QIM only) estimate the remaining shelf-life.
All the schemes have been developed using seafood that has been produced according to
good manufacturing practice (i.e. held in melting ice since capture). This makes it possible
to identify seafood that shows atypical characteristics or which appears to have spoiled
more quickly than expected, which can be linked to poor practices such as high
temperature spoilage, inadequate icing etc.
This document provides copies of available Torry Assessment and QIM schemes. It will be
updated when additional schemes become available.
2.0 TORRY SCORESHEETS

The following pages include the series of Torry Research Station sensory assessment
schemes for a variety of fish and shellfish.
2.1.
Definitions of some terms used in sensory assessment of fish
Seaweedy
Fresh, sharp, clean odour associated with the seaside. May be qualified by 'stale'
which is the odour of slightly rotten seaweed.
Shellfish
The odour of fresh bivalve shellfish when freshly gathered. Similar to seaweedy
and marine but a more rounded and richer odour.
Neutral
A weak indefinite odour or flavour without specific fresh or stale character.
Caprylic
The odour of goats or horses
Milky
The odour or flavour of fresh milk. Sweetish and slightly creamy. Not the flavour of
sterilised or tinned milk.
Peppery
The odour or flavour of freshly ground pepper. Not the irritant action
Metallic
'Coin in the mouth' sensation
'Old boots'
The odour of old leather and sweat
Marine
An odour pertaining to the seaside
Mealy
The odour and flavour of raw potatoes and flour
Nutty
The full flavour of nuts, e.g. walnuts, hazelnuts
Rancid
The unpleasant odour or flavour of stale oil, stale fat
Aromatic
A fragrant sweet smelling odour
Acrid
A sharp, pungent, prickling sensation
Blown oil
The odour or flavour of stale fish oil
Green plant
The dour or flavour of young, tender shoots
Citric
The odour or flavour of oranges, limes etc.
Curry
A spicy, fragrant odour or flavour
Butterscotch
The odour or flavour of toffee
Butyric acid
The odour or flavour of stale butter
Acetic acid
The odour or flavour of vinegar
Lactic acid
The odour or flavour of sour milk
Tallowy
The odour or flavour of animal fat, suet
Garlic
The pungent odour or flavour of freshly crushed garlic
Chloroform
An anaesthetic-like odour
Musty
An odour vaguely suggesting damp cellars, mildew or hay or ground oatmeal
Bready
The yeasty odour of fresh bread
Beery
A brewery odour
Grassy
The odour of composted grass
Fresh-cut grass
The pronounced, slightly sharp odour of freshly cut grass
Fruity
A sweet-acid odour, suggesting over-ripe fruit
2.2. Texture Profile

Initial Characteristics
Response to the properties of the material on the first bite.
The release of water on compression. This is the initial response and
is to be distinguished from succulence.
Wateriness
0 no water released but not necessarily dry

5 wet, sample releases water very readily
The force required to compress the material between the molar teeth
or between tongue and palate.
Firmness
0 very soft, very easily compressed

5 firm, high resistance to compression
The ability of the material to return to its original shape after
deformation. Compress the substance slightly between the molar
teeth or between the tongue and palate and note how the material
returns to its original shape.
Springiness
0 completely plastic, retains its deformed state

5 springy, returns to its original shape
Secondary Characteristics
Response to the properties of the material after chewing a few times:
Property of separating into filamentous structural elements
Fibrousness
Smoothness
not fibrous
short fibres, almost mealy
long fibres
This is the alternative to fibrous in describing the geometry of the

structural elements.
fibrous
crumbly, mealy, lumpy
homogenous - smooth, pasty or jellyfish
Toughness
Resistance to breakdown on chewing to a state suitable for swallowing.

very tender, very easily broken down
very tough, needs chewing for a long time
Succulent
The sensation of juiciness in the mouth

very dry, tends to reduce the moisture in the mouth
succulent, juicy, tends to increase the moisture in the mouth
Other
Describe any other texture characteristics not covered by the defined

scales e.g. Tacky, oily, glutinous, brittle, and crisp.
6
2.3.
Freshness Score Sheet For Iced Cod
Cod - Raw Fish

Score
Eyes
Bulging, convex lens,
black pupil, crystalclear cornea
Skin
Bright, welldifferentiated colours,
glossy, transparent
slime.
Texture and Effect of

Rigor Mortis
Flesh firm and elastic.
Body pre-rigor or in
rigor.
10
Flesh and Belly Flaps
Kidney and Blood
Cut surface stained

with blood. Bluish
translucency around
backbone. Fillet may
have rough
appearance due to
rigor mortis contraction
Bright red blood flows

readily
Appearance
Glossy, bright red or

pink mucus
Gills
Odour
Initially very little odour
increasing to sharp,
iodine, starchy, metallic
odours changing to
less sharp seaweedy,
shellfish odours.
Score
10
Convex lens, black

pupil with loss of initial
clarity.
Slight flattening or
plane, loss of brilliance.
Loss of brilliance of
colour

Muscle blocks apparent.
In or just passing
through rigor.
Firm, elastic to the
touch.
White with bluish

translucency, may be
corrugated due to rigor
mortis effect.
White flesh with some
loss of bluish
translucency. Slight
yellowing of cut
surfaces of belly flaps.
Bright red, blood does

not flow.
Slight loss of
brightness of blood.
Loss of gloss and

brightness, slight loss
of colour.
Slight mousy, musty or

caprylic,
Slightly sunken, slightly

grey pupil, slight
opalescence of cornea.
Loss of differentiation
and general fading of
colours; overall
greyness. Opaque and
somewhat milky slime.
Softening of the flesh,

finger indentations
retained, some grittiness
near tail.
Waxy appearance of
the flesh, reddening
around the kidney
region. Cut surfaces of
the belly flaps brown
and discoloured.
Loss of brightness,
some browning.
Some discoloration of
the gills and cloudiness
of the mucus.
Sunken, milky white

pupil, opaque cornea.
Further loss of skin

colour. Thick yellow
knotted slime with
bacterial discoloration.
Wrinkling of skin on
nose.
Softer flesh, definite

grittiness.
Some opacity,
reddening along
backbone and brown
discoloration of the
belly flaps
Brownish kidney blood
Slight bleaching and

brown discoloration
with some yellow
bacterial mucus.
Bready, malty, beery,

yeasty
6
Lactic acid, sour milk or

oily.
Freshly cut grass.

Seaweedy and shellfish
odours just detectable
Lower fatty acid odours

(e.g. Acetic or butyric
acids), composted
grass, old boots,
slightly sweet, fruity or
chloroform like.
Stale cabbage water,

stale turnips, sour
sink, wet matches.
Cod - Cooked Fish

Score
Odour
Flavour
Texture, Mouth Feel

and Appearance
Score
Initially weak odour of

sweet, boiled milk,
starchy followed by
strengthening of
these odours
Watery, metallic,
starchy. Initially no
sweetness but meaty
flavours with slight
sweetness may
develop.
Shellfish, seaweed,
boiled meat, raw
green plant.
Sweet, meaty, creamy,

green plant,
characteristic.
Sweet and
Loss of odour, neutral characteristic flavours
but reduced in
odour
intensity.
Wood shavings,
wood sap, vanillin.
10
Dry, crumbly with

short tough fibres.
10
Neutral
Succulent, fibrous.
Initially firm going
softer with storage.
Appearance originally
white and opaque
going yellowish and
waxy on storage.
Condensed milk,
caramel, toffee-like.
Insipid
Milk jug odours,

boiled potato, boiled
clothes like.
Slight sourness, trace

of off flavours.
Lactic acid, sour milk,

byre-like.
Slight bitterness, sour

off flavours
Lower fatty acids

(e.g. Acetic or butyric
acids), composted
grass, soapy, turnip,
tallowy.
Strong, bitter, rubber,

slight sulphide.
2.4.
Freshness Score Sheet for Haddock
Haddock - raw
Score
Eyes
Skin
Bulging, convex lens,

black pupil, crystalclear cornea
Bright, welldifferentiated colours,

glossy, transparent
slime
.
10
Convex lens, black

pupil with loss of initial
clarity.
Slight flattening or
plane, loss of brilliance.
Loss of brilliance of
colour
Texture and Effect

of Rigor Mortis
Flesh and Belly

Flaps

Body pre-rigor or in
rigor.
Cut surface stained

with blood. Bluish
translucency around
backbone. Fillet may
have rough
appearance due to
rigor mortis contraction
Bright red blood flows

readily

Muscle blocks apparent.
In or just passing
through rigor.
White with bluish

translucency, may be
corrugated due to rigor
mortis effect.
Bright red, blood does

not flow.
Firm, elastic to the

touch.
White flesh with some

loss of bluish
translucency. Slight
yellowing of cut
surfaces of belly flaps.
Slight loss of
brightness of blood.
Kidney and Blood
Gills
Appearance
Glossy, bright red or
pink mucus
Loss of differentiation
and general fading of
colours; overall
greyness. Opaque and
somewhat milky slime.
Softening of the flesh,

finger indentations
retained, some grittiness
near tail.
Waxy appearance of
the flesh, reddening
around the kidney
region. Cut surfaces of
the belly flaps brown
and discoloured.
Loss of freshness and

seaweediness, green
plant type odour
Loss of gloss and

brightness, slight loss
of colour.
Further loss of skin

colour. Thick yellow
knotted slime with
bacterial discoloration.
Wrinkling of skin on
nose.
Softer flesh, definite

grittiness.
Some opacity,
reddening along
backbone and brown
discoloration of the
belly flaps
Stale seaweed, breadyyeasty, sweet-yeasty.
Loss of brightness,
some browning.
Some discoloration of
the gills and cloudiness
of the mucus.
Malty-bready, sharp,
e.g. Pepper, lemons.
Fruity-malty slight sour

fruit, sweet turnips
(methionine).
Sour, slight lower fatty

acids, sharp, e.g. off
apples, rhubarb etc
Brownish kidney blood
Slight bleaching and

brown discoloration
with some yellow
bacterial mucus.
Rotten vegetables,
fruity faecal, sulphides,
ammonia, lower fatty
acids
Sour sink, sulphides,

ammonia, strong lower
fatty acids.
5
Sunken, milky white
pupil, opaque cornea.
Score
10
7
Slightly sunken, slightly
grey pupil, slight
opalescence of cornea.
Odour
Fresh seaweed, sweet,
musty, iodine, sugarysyrupy
Haddock - Cooked
Score Types of Flavour

Cooked Odour
10
Fresh meaty, sweet, watery, spicy-lemons, metallic Fresh seaweed, sweet, fresh milk, faint iodine, fresh, tangy, lemons.
9
Loss of fresh meatiness and metallicness, nutty.
Melting margarine, spicy, shellfish, green plant type odour.
Sweet, neutral, slightly meaty
Bready-yeasty, boiling milk, woody.
Very slightly sweet, slight cardboard, creamy.
Caramel, sweet fruity-malty.
Sweet/sour, onions, lemons, fatty.
Fatty, sweet/sour.
Slight sourness, slight rancidity or bitterness.
Stale milk-jug, wet clothes.
Rancid, bitter
Milk-jug, rancid fat, slight ammonia.
Rancid cheese, bitter nuts.
Rancid cheese, ammonia, off nuts.
Sulphides, strong rancid, strong bitter.
Sour, rancid, sweaty, strong ammonia.
Putrid, tasted with difficulty.
Faecal, sulphide, very strong ammonia.
10
2.5.
Freshness Score Sheet for Iced Flatfish
Raw fish
SCORE
ODOUR (Gills and Belly Cavity)
10
Fresh oil, metallic, roses, freshly-cut

grass
Metallic, oily, earthy, peppery
Oily, seaweedy, aromatic
Oily, citric, musty, mousy
Oily, bready, biscuity, malty, cutflower stems
Sour beer, slight rancidity, painty,

cod-liver oil
Muddy, grassy, meaty, stale

vegetables, old boots, fruity, sweaty,
lower fatty acids
Rotten cabbages, sour sink, wet
matches, rotten meat, rancid butter
Byre-like, singed hair, ammonia
H2S, strong ammonia, sulphides
Faecal, nauseating, indole
GENERAL APPEARANCE
FLESH
TEXTURE
Eyes full, bright or very slightly cloudy; Gills

bright red or very deep pink with slight clear
slim;
Slime on body clear to slightly milky
Translucent with blue or pink

tinge.
Dark purple in backbone
Eyes slightly sunken, some opacity;

Gills pale pink, slightly bleached with thick
opaque slime;
Slime on body thick and opaque;
Edge of gill cover slightly bleached and pinking
and pinking on underside of body
Eyes sunken and opaque;
Gills bleached with thick grey or brown slime;
Slime on body yellow and watery; Bleaching on
back, particularly in head region and gill cover,
pinking on underside
Loss of translucency;
Bluish or pinkish white;
Slight waxyness.
Backbone still purple
Loss of slime
but no grittiness
Waxy, slight yellowing, slight

discolouration of body cavity.
Backbone still well coloured
(red-blue to purple)
Slight grittiness
Eyes completely sunken or bloated and

opaque;
Gills very bleached with dirty grey or brownyellow slime;
Slime on body watery with yellow bacterial
discolouration;
Marked bleaching and pinking on body
Eyes totally collapsed;
Gills badly bleached and badly discoloured with
bacterial slime;
Body slime watery or scarce with marked
bacterial discolouration, particularly in head
region;
Gill covers very bleached;
marked pinking on the underside
Some opacity, yellow or

brownish discolouration
extending in from fin rays.
Reddening in backbone
Grittiness
towards the tail
Marked opacity, yellow or

brown discolouration and
marked reddening in backbone
Marked discolouration
particularly in body cavity.
Blood almost completely
diffused in backbone
Marked general
grittiness
11
Firm and slimy
SCORE
10
Cooked Flatfish
Score
Flavour
Odour
Texture
Meaty, oniony, fresh butter or Firm and dry

margarine, Worcester sauce,
slight caramel
Oily, slightly aromatic, slight
peppery, boiled clothes
10
Meaty, shellfishy, earthy
Sweet and meaty (or oily

fresh herring-like)
Sweet and meaty with

curry, peppery or spice
flavour
Neutral or bland
Rancid, slightly sour
Metallic, slightly sour acrid,

slightly sweaty boiled string
Sour, rancid oil, rancid

butter, fish meal
Sour or bitter
Strong sour and strong

bitter, rotten fruit
Sour bread, lower fatty acids,

rancid butter, singed milk,
smoky
Slight amines, slight
ammonia, sour beer, spoiled
cheese
Ammonia, very sour, slightly
faecal
Very bitter, very sour
Strong ammonia and amines
Nauseating
Very strong ammonia, strong

faecal, putrid cheese
Curry, oily, peppery, damp

clothes, baked smell
Crumbly, short, firm
Caramel, boiled potatoes,

musty, butterscotch
12
Soft but dry
Soft and moist
Very soft and

sloppy
2.6. European Hake:

Raw Hake
Score
Eyes
Gills
Skin
Flesh
Odour
Texture
Flat or slightly
convex; slightly
grey pupil
Red, slight
bleaching
Bright, clear
colours
Slight
translucency; no
reddening along
backbone
Seaweedy; lack of
odour
Slightly soft,;
smooth skin
Flat: slightly grey

pupil
Dark red; some

discoloration and
bleaching
Loss of
brightness; cloudy
slime
Slightly opaque;
no reddening
along backbone
Slightly seaweedy; Soft; very slight

grittiness of skin
slightly musty;
fresh oil
Flat or slightly
sunken; slightly
cloudy
Pink; some
discoloration and
bleaching
Loss of
brightness; cloudy
slime
Slightly opaque;
no reddening
along backbone
Malty; musty;
grassy; oily
Soft; slight
grittiness of the
skin
Slightly sunken;
slightly cloudy
Pink; bleached
discoloration
Discoloured slime
on head
Opaque; slight
reddening along
backbone
Oily; grassy;
slightly sour;
leathery
Soft; grittiness of
skin
Sunken; cloudy
Pale pink; marked

bleaching;
discoloured slime
Yellow slime on
head
Opaque; slight
reddening along
backbone
Sour sink;
leathery;
composted grass
Soft; grittiness of
skin
Sunken;
collapsed; cloudy
Bleached with
thick discoloured
slime
Yellow slime on
head and body;
flesh shrinking
around head
Opaque; slight
reddening along
backbone
Sour sink; slightly

byre-like; slight
ammonia
Very soft;
grittiness of skin
13
Hake - cooked
Score
Odour
Flavour
Texture
Seaweedy
Sweet; meaty
Dry; mealy
Meaty; milky; creamy;

cardboardy
Dry; fibrous; crumbly
Dry; fibrous; crumbly
Meaty; milky; musty;

neutral.
Sweaty; meaty; creamy;

musty
Dry; crumbly
Sour; slightly off; boiled

potato
Musty, neutral
Soft; dry; crumbly;

slightly fibrous
Sour; slightly rancid;

slightly cheesy
Sour; musty/ slight

cheesy
Dry; mealy; soft
Ammoniacal; faecal
Sour; bitter
Dry; mealy; soft.
14
2.7.
Mackerel Scoring Scales
Raw fish
SCORE
SKIN AND BODY
10
9
8
Firm body with silky smooth skin.

Lateral line and reticulations on upper surface
well defined.
Body colours iridescent with strong royal blue
and turquoise colours on upper surface. Blue
and violet on ventral surface with silvery sheen.
Passing into rigor or in rigor.
Loss of colour definition.
Some blood stains apparent.
Passing out, or out of rigor
APPEARANCE
EYES
Colours of dorsal surface paler, reticulations

grey, ventral surface white with golden tinge.
Patchy iridescence
Washed-out colours, definite golden tinge to

skin, patchy iridescence.
Body soft with red/brown slime oozing from gill
covers.
Skin wrinkles on flexing
Fish limp and floppy with distinct ice marks.
Washed-out colours with mottling or golden
tinge
Little distinction between upper and lower
surfaces.
Body very soft.
Skin very wrinkled with distinct ice marks
4
3
SCORE
Weak, delicate odours,

cloying sweet, sharp, pepper,
seaweed, blood
10
GILLS
Bulging convex eye with protruding

lens.
Shiny jet-black pupil with metallic brown
iris.
Eye-cap water clear
Uniformly dark red with free blood

and water-clear slime present
Convex eye lens plane with cornea.

Pupil less shiny, iris green/ blue.
Slight clouding of eye cap
Dark purple/maroon with paler

edge.
Congealed blood present with
opaque slime
GILL ODOUR
Flattening of eye but still convex.

Pupil wrinkled with slight clouding of
lens.
Iris silvery and starting to wrinkle.
Yellowing of eye cap
Eyeball plane with eye socket.
Cloudy lens with silvery iris showing
black specks
Concave or flattening eye with cloudy
pupil
15
Loss of colour with red/brown slime
Browning of gills, patchy bleaching,

increased slime and red/brown
slime oozing from gill cover
Marked bleaching and browning of
gills covered in black slime
More definite odours as

above, also fragrant, fresh
grass, fruity, metallic, shellfish
7
Dull muddy odours, musty,
mousy, malty, cardboard,
linseed oil, cod liver oil,
biscuits, blood
Stale odours as above, also
butterscotch, wet cardboard,
wet dogs
Mixture of odours from above

and below
Sweet-rotten odours, oil

sweet-rotten fruit(grapefruit),
old grass cuttings, sickly sour
Mackerel cooked
Score
Flavour and Odour Descriptions

(white and red flesh)
White meat: sweet, starch, astringent, metallic, blood,

meaty (cold lean beef), green plant, spicy, lemons,
muddy, strong sweet oil
Red meat: strong meaty, sweet
White meat: sweet, oily chicken (white meat), dull
blood, herbs (e.g. parsley), roast meat (cold lamb,
pork), starch, astringent, insipid, earthy, mushrooms,
onions/lemons
Red meat: rich strong meat, apples
Odour
Flavour
Shellfish, fresh seaweed,

halogens (iodine), fresh
blood, fresh
lemons/chicken, sweet oil,
muddy
Sweet, starch, astringent,

metallic, blood, meaty (cold
lean beef), green plant,
spicy lemons, muddy,
strong sweet oil. Red meat
: Strong meaty, sweet
Sweet, oily chicken (white
meat), blood, herbs (e.g.
Parsley), roast meat (cold
lamb, pork), starch,
astringent, insipid, earthy,
mushrooms,
onions/lemons. Red meat :
Strong meaty
Sweet, earthy, cardboard,
slight curry, bland sweet
oil, onions/lemons. Red
meat : Strong meaty
Slightly sweet, weak
meaty, just detectable
rancidity, musty, wet
paper, cardboard, neutral
bland oil, new leather. Red
meat : Strong meaty,
slightly rancid
Neutral bland oil, greasy
cold chicken, slight
rancidity, sweet/sour,
caramel, acidic after-taste.
Red meat : Strong meaty,
rancid, sulphury
Slightly sour, rancid, stale
roast meat, cold mutton
stew, yeast, burning
sensation on sides of
tongue, "coin in the mouth"
sensation, acrid. Red meat
: Strong rancidity, sulphury
Sour, rancid, rotten fruit
(sweet sensation), chicken
skins, charred paper,
sulphides. Red meat :
Strong rancidity, sulphury,
tasted with difficulty
Strong rancidity, bitter,
burnt, acrid, strong
sulphides, rotten
cabbages, rotten meat.
Red meat : Nauseating
rancidity and sulphury
White meat: sweet, earthy, cardboard, slight curry,

bland sweet oil, onions/lemons
Red meat: strong meat
Fresh lamb stew, boiled

potatoes, washing soda
solution, onions, biscuits,
sweet oil
White meat: slightly sweet, weak meaty, just

detectable rancidity, musty, wet paper, cardboard,
neutral bland oil, new leather
Red meat: strong meat, slightly rancid
White meat: neutral bland oil, greasy cold chicken,
slight rancidity, sweet/sour caramel, acidic after-taste
Red meat: strong meat, rancid, sulphury
Earthy, slight spicy, curry,

white chicken meat, fresh
mushrooms, cardboard
White meat: slightly sour, rancid, stale roast meat,

cold mutton stew, yeast burning sensation on sides of
tongue, coin-in-mouth sensation, acrid
Red meat: strong rancidity, sulphury
Slight rancidity, caramel,

yeasty, stale, musty, malty,
greasy stale chicken
fat/chicken skins
White meat: sour, rancid, rotten (sweet sensation),

chicken skins, charred paper, sulphides
Red meat: strong rancidity, sultry, tasted with difficulty
White meat: strong rancidity, bitter, burnt/acrid, strong

sulphides, rotten cabbages, rotten fruit
Red meat: nauseating rancidity and sulphury
Sweaty, sour, rancid, stale

cheese, sulphides, pickled
herring, rotten fruit (sweet
odour), charred
Nauseating, ammoniacal, very strong sulphides, tasted

with difficulty
Sulphides, burnt/acrid,
rotten meat, vomit
16
Waxy, new leather, wet

paper, cardboard, dried
meat extract, curry, just
detectable rancidity
2.8.
Iced Herring
Raw Herring
Appearance
Score
Odour
texture
Appearance of
Belly Walls
Score
Eyes
Gills
Skin
Flesh
10
Slightly convex, clear

black pupil.
Dark red, purple, clear

slime.
Bright colours,
iridescent, few loose
scales.
Glossy, rosy hue, fresh

bright blood on fillet.
Oily, marine, fresh

blood, sulphide,
weak odour.
Firm, stiff, smooth
No belly burst
10
Flat, slightly convex,

clear black pupil.
Dark red, pink, slightly

faded.
Bright, slight iridescence,

few loose scales.
Slight translucency, rosy

hue, bright blood on fillet.
Oily, marine, fresh

fruit, sulphide.
Loss of stiffness,
still firm, smooth.
No belly burst.
Dark red, pink, slight

brown, slight reddening
on gill covers
Loss of brightness, some

loose scales.
Slight translucency,
slight discoloration of
belly flaps.
Oily, musty,
leathery, slight
sulphide.
Loss of stiffness,
slight softening,
smooth.
No belly burst or
very slight belly
burst.
Red, pink, slight

bleaching, slight
reddening on gill covers.
Dull, slight bronzing,

some loose scales.
Slightly opaque, slightly

brown, slight
discoloration of belly
flaps.
Oily, musty,
sulphide, slightly
sour.
Red, pink, brown, slight

bleaching, reddening on
gill covers.
Dull, slight bronzing,

some dirty scales.
8
Flat, slightly convex,
slightly cloudy
7
Flat, slightly cloudy
Flat, slightly sunken,

slightly cloudy, grey
pupil.

cloudy, bloodshot,
discoloured.

wrinkled, discoloured,
bloodshot.
Opaque, dull, brown,

reddening on belly flaps.
Pink, brown slime,

bleached, reddening on
gill covers.
Dull, bronzing, dirty

scales.
Pink, bleached, brown

slime, bronzing on gill
covers.
Dull, bleached, brown

slime.
Limp, slightly soft,

slightly gritty.
Slight belly burst.
Musty, stale fruit,

stale grass, malty,
sour.
Stale fruit, stale

grass, sour, malty,
slightly rancid.
Opaque, brown,
discoloured belly flaps
and tail.
Sweaty, sour sink,

stale meat, H2S
Opaque, general
discoloration.
Sweaty, cheesy,
sour sink, byre-like,
rotten fruit.
17
Limp, soft, gritty.
Definite belly burst.
Herring - cooked
score
Odour
Flavour
Texture
Score
10
Fresh oil, marine, creamy,

boiled potato, weak
odour.
Fresh oil, sweet, meaty,

creamy, metallic, green
plant.
Fresh oil, meaty, creamy,

boiled clothes, musty,
characteristic.
Fresh oil, sweet, meaty,

creamy, musty
characteristic.
Oily, musty, burnt,

slightly brown oil.
Oily, sweet, meaty,

creamy, burnt, neutral.
Oily, musty, slightly

rancid.
Oily, sweet, meaty,

creamy, musty, slightly
rancid, slightly sour.
Oily, rancid, cheesy,

slightly sour, boiled
clothes.
Oily, sweet, stale meat,

creamy, rancid, sour.
Rancid, sweaty, cheesy,

sour, malty.
Rancid, sweaty, musty,

sour.

sour, stale meat.

sour fruit, slightly bitter.

sour stew, ammonia,
vinegar.
Rancid, cheesy, sour,

bitter, rotten fruit.
18
Firm, slightly dry
Becoming less firm

but still quite dry.
10
2.9.
Salmon
Salmon - Raw Fish

Score
10
Odour of gills
Marine, shellfish, seaweed,
sharp.
Fresh cut grass, fresh fruit,

floral.
Oily, fresh cut grass.
Musty, muddy, mousy.
Leathery, beery, yeasty.
Sour, sour milk.
Sour. Stale fruit, stale

vegetables.
Sour sink, rancid.
Ammonia
Putrid
Appearance of Eyes
Flat, convex, clear, bright
Flat, clear.
Appearance of Gills
Dark red
Red/brown, slight bleaching
Flat/slightly sunken, cloudy.
Brown, bleached.
Sunken, cloudy, discoloured.
Brown, bleached, yellow slime.
Salmon - Cooked Fish

Score
Odour
Flavour
Baked, meaty, oily
Strong, meaty, sweet, oily, metallic
Earthy, musty
Loss of sweetness, meaty, slightly musty.
Musty, sour
Sour, musty
Sour, stale fruit
Sour, bitter
Rancid, sweaty
Putrid, nauseating
Cold smoked Salmon - Freshness

Score
Description
10
Fresh sweet flavour, metallic, fresh oil
Loss of fresh flavours
Slight off flavours, stale oil but no sourness
Some sourness, stale oil
Strong, sour with some bitter flavours
Strong ammoniacal odours, sour and bitter flavour.
19
2.10.
Trout Score Sheet
Trout - Raw Fish.

Score
10
Eyes
Skin
Convex, clear, bright
Clear, sticky slime; iridescent;

silvery /green
Convex to flat; very slightly

grey; clear
Slightly cloudy slime; slight

loss of iridescence;
silvery/green
Flat; slightly grey; clear
Slightly cloudy, slime; slight

loss of scales; iridescence;
silvery/grey
Slightly sunken; grey; slight

opacity
Some loss of scales; slightly

gritty
Gills
Appearance
Bright; clean; dark

red to pink
Bright red to pink;

some bleaching
Odour
Weak; traces of
freshly cut grass;
seaweed; slightly
sharp
Some strengthening
of the odours
Shellfish; cut flower
stems; fresh oil;
aromatic
Pink to
reddish/brown
with bleaching
Cardboardy;
aromatic; malty; oily;
acrid
Pink to
reddish/brown;
bleached; slimy
Malty; beery; stale

grass; slight rancid
oil; putty
Pink to brown;
bleached; sticky
slime
Yeasty; stale beer;

rancid oil; sour milk;
boiled eggs; leather
6
Sunken; grey; slight opacity
5
Sunken; grey; opaque
Loss of scales; slightly gritty;

dull colours
Gritty; brown staining
Trout cooked flavour

Score
Description
Metallic, sweet, fresh oil
Metallic, sweet, meaty, baked, slight herring like
Meaty, chicken-like, cardboard, slightly sour, stale oil
Stale oil, rancid, sour, acid, cardboard, yeasty, mealy, woody
Nutty, cheesy, lower fatty acids, turnipy
20
Stale oil; lower fatty

acids; stale
vegetables; fruity
2.11.
Shrimp Scoresheet - Pink and Brown
Raw
Score
Flesh colour and

opacity
Head
Brown shrimp
body
Connective tissue
Head
Pink shrimp body
Odours
Translucent
Light brown/grey
through transparent
casing
Pale grey, darker

grey spots
Grey
Brown/dark red
Orange/pink (eggs
turquoise)
Fresh seaweed;
delicate; watery
Slight opacity
towards anterior
Slight greening or
yellowing
Grey/slight mauve
tinge. Pale yellow
ventrally
Duller grey
Darkening
Slight green/yellow
tinge laterally. Pale
yellow ventrally (eggs:
dirty ferrous green)
Seaweed; sweet;
milky; fresh cut
grass; metallic;
iodine
Opacity extended
half way along
flesh from anterior
end which is
beginning to turn
yellow
Blackening
Dark
green/Purple
Green/orange (eggs:
grey/blue)
Tangy / sherbet
lemon; "sharp";
musty-mouldy
leaves; hay
May still show

translucency at
tips of tail.
Anterior:
yellow/green
Grey/green/yellow
Green/yellow
All opaque
Covered in large green/black blotches.

Blackening of head extending along the
body
Yellowing
21
Green/black
Compost; silage;
rotting
vegetables;
humus; muddy;
ditch-water; NH3
Dirty yellow /
brown/orange.
Covered in pale
yellow slime
Urinal; doggy;
amines; byres;
sweaty; NH3
Shrimp - cooked
Score
Cooked Odours
Flavours
Texture
chestnuts; seaweed; tangy
"Characteristic";
milky/sweet
Firm; chewy
Milky-sweet - condensed
milk; fresh urine; mealy;
caramel; malty; mushroom
sheds/dank
Characteristic";
milky/sweet - creamy;
meaty
Leaf mould; peat; boiled

vegetables
Still slightly sweet;

sour/sweet greasy/fatty
aftertaste
Chlorine; sweaty;
powder/plaster/cement;
soapy water - clothes
washing; manure; amines;
NH3
Fishy; slightly sour;

bland (pink shrimp);
may still show very
slight sweetness
Lumpy - readily falls

into segments which
are quite firm
Strong sweaty; rotting

vegetables; NH3
Sour; bland; fishy
May still be lumpy but

the segments are softer
that for 2
Strong ammoniacal; faecal; Soapy; bitter

urinal; acrid/scorched cloth;
soapy
22
Very soft; pulpy
2.12.
Cooked Scallops
Score Cooked Odour
Cooked Flavour
Cooked Texture
Chewy; fibrous;
rubbery
Sweet milky; condensed

milk
Intensely sweet; cloying
Slight milky sweet;

seaweed
Less sweet; milky
Neutral; musty
Neutral; slightly musty;

some residual sweetness
Slightly sour
Sour; sweaty;
ammoniacal
Sour; bitter; off; some

sweetness may still be
detectable
Sulphide; faecal; stale

cabbage
Very bitter; off; rubber;

nauseating
23
Slightly chewy; slightly

soft
Soft; gelatinous; sticky
2.13.
Nephrops shell-on tails
Nephrops - raw
Score
Appearance
Odour
Shells bright, clean, rosy pink. Telson

and swimmerets clean. Flesh on
ventral side clean, white and
translucent.
Shellfish, marine, seaweed
Loss of brightness of shell with some

dulling. Loss of translucence of flesh
on ventral side. No blackening of shell
apparent.
Slight shellfish, slight marine, very

slight ammonia
Some darkening of shell along the

joint between the segments. Shells
appear dull. Some slight discoloration
on the telson. Swimmerets showing
some darkening.
Slight ammonia, loss of characteristic

shellfish odour
Darkening of the shell more apparent.

Dark lines between the segments
extend and join together. Dark spots
on telson. Swimmerets show intensive
darkening and black spots.
Moderate ammonia, sour and off
Generalised blackening of the shell

with discoloration from the segment
joints spreading to the complete shell.
Strong ammonia, strong, sour and

off, stale
Shells completely black.
Very strong ammonia, putrid
24
Nephrops - cooked
Score
Odour
Milky-sweet, seaweed.
Slightly sulphurous,
characteristic shellfish
Milky, creamy, slight
ammonia
Slight ammonia, loss of
milkiness
Ammonia
Strong ammonia
Strong ammonia, sour
4
3
Flavour
Intensely sweet,
metallic
Texture, mouthfeel and

appearance
Very firm, crisp
Score
Very sweet,
creamy, milky
Sweet
Firm
Slightly soft
Loss of sweetness,
neutral
Sour, off, creamysour
Strong off-flavour,
bitter, very sour
Soft
Very soft
Sloppy, little texture
25
2.14.
Cooked squid
Score
Cooked flavour of squid
10
fresh, characteristic of shellfish, sweet, meaty
slight loss of freshness, creamy, sweet, meaty, metallic
slightly sweet, slightly meaty, creamy, milky
no sweetness, caramel
neutral
slightly sour
sour, musty, cabbage
slightly bitter, overripe cheese, oily, slight sulphide
bitter, sulphide
strongly bitter, putrid
Days in ice
0-1
6-8
8-10
26
13-14
2.15 Cold Storage Deterioration
Score
0
1
2
3
4
5
Cold Store
Flavour
Absent
Very slight
Slight
Moderate
Dryness
Very soft
Sloppy, watery
Softer than normal
Juicy (equivalent to 3
day old iced unfrozen
fish)
Firm (equivalent to
normal 3 day old iced
unfrozen fish)
Slightly firmer than
normal
Strong
Slightly tough
Very strong
Tough
Ideal Score =
Firmness
Slightly dry
Dry
Extremely dry
Extremely tough
27
2.16
Freshness
Good
(Desirable)
Medium
(Acceptable)
Simple scoring system for smoked fish

Characteristics of
Chilled Fish
Appearance:
no gaping or
discolouration, cold
smoked fillets glossy.
Maybe less on smoked
defrosted fish
Frozen Appearance:
No freezer burn or ice
crystals on surface
Texture:
Cold smoked fish firm
and elastic
Thawed Texture and

Odour:
Similar to chilled fish
Odour:
fresh, smoky
Drip:
Negligible release of
drip on thawing
Frozen Appearance:
Could have some
freezer burn and a few
ice crystals on surface
Appearance:
Cold smoked fillets less
glossy. Maybe even
less on smoked
defrosted fish
Texture:
Cold smoked fillets less
firm and elastic
Odour:
Slightly stale
Poor
(Unacceptable)
Characteristics of
Frozen Fish
Appearance:
Cold smoked fillets with
no gloss. Gaping of
fillets. Discolouration
especially along lateral
line and on belly flaps.
Possible pink
colouration of fillet
Texture:
Cold smoked fillets soft
and inelastic
Odour:
Stale, rancid or putrid
Thawed Appearance:
Thawed Appearance:
Thawed Texture and
Odour:
Drip:
Noticeable release of
drip on thawing
Frozen Appearance:
Obvious freezer burn
with large quantities of
ice crystals on surface
Thawed Appearance:
Thawed Texture and
Odour:
Drip:
Copious quantities of
drip released on
thawing
28
Cooked Eating
Qualities
Chilled Fish Flavour:
Mild, fresh smoky
flavours
Sweet flavours
Flavour characteristic of
species
Not strongly salty
Frozen Fish Flavour:
As above
No cold storage flavour

Mild, smoky flavour
Slightly stale flavour
Not strongly salty
As above
Cold storage flavour just
detectable

Sour, bitter, rancid, acrid,
resinous, musty or strong
salty flavours
Strong off odours,
ammoniacal
As above
Well developed cold
storage flavour and
texture tough and dry
from cold storage
3.0.
QIM Schemes
The following pages include QIM sensory assessment schemes for a variety of species.
These are taken from schemes published by various authors.
29
3.1.
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Cod
Quality Parameter
Appearance
Skin
Stiffness
Eyes
Cornea
Form
Pupil
Gills
Colour
Odour
Mucus
Flesh, fillets
Colour
Blood
Colour
Description
Bright, Iridescent pigmentation
Rather dull, becoming discoloured
Dull
In rigour
Firm, elastic
Soft
Very soft
Clear
Opalescent
Milky
Convex
Flat, slightly sunken
Sunken, concave
Black
Opaque
Grey
Bright
Less Coloured, becoming discoloured
Discoloured, brown spots
Brown, discoloured
Fresh, seaweedy, metallic
Neutral, grassy, musty
Yeast, bread, beer, sour milk
Acetic acid, sulphuric, very sour
Clear
Milky
Milky, dark, opaque
Translucent, bluish
Waxy, milky
Opaque, yellow, brown spots
Red
Dark red
Brown
Quality Index
30
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0-23
3.2.
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Haddock
Quality parameter
Appearance
Skin
Stiffness
Eyes
Cornea
Form
Pupil
Gills
Colour
Odour
Mucus
Flesh, fillets
Colour
Blood
Colour
Description
Bright, iridescent pigmentation
Dull
In rigor
Firm, elastic
Soft
Very soft
Clear
Opalescent
Milky
Convex
Sunken, concave
Black
Opaque
Grey
Bright
Less Coloured, becoming discoloured
Discoloured, brown spots
Brown, discoloured
Clear
Milky
Milky, dark, opaque
Translucent, bluish
Waxy, Milky
Red
Dark red
Brown
Quality Index
31
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0-23
3.3.
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Redfish
Quality parameter
Appearance
Skin
Stiffness
Eyes
Cornea
Form
Pupil
Gills
Colour
Odour
Mucus
Flesh, fillets
Colour
Viscera
Solution
Description
Dull
In rigor
Firm, elastic
Soft
Very soft
Clear
Opalescent
Milky
Convex
Sunken, concave
Black
Opaque
Grey
Blood red
Reminds of beef
Reddish areas
Rusty, dark brown
Clear
Milky
Discoloured, rusty, brown, clotted
Translucent, bluish
Waxy, milky
Whole
Beginning to dissolve
Viscera dissolved
Quality Index
32
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0-23
3.4
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Farmed Salmon
Quality
parameter
Skin
Eyes
Gills
Abdomen
Description
Score
Pearl-shiny all over the skin

Colour/
appearance The skin is less pearl-shiny
The fish is yellowish, mainly near the
abdomen
Clear, not clotted
Mucus
Milky, clotted
Yellow and clotted
Fresh, seaweedy, neutral
Odour
Cucumber, metal, hay
Sour, dish cloth
Rotten
In rigor
Texture
Finger mark disappears rapidly
Finger leaves mark over 3 seconds
Clear and black, metal shiny
Pupils
Dark grey
Matt, grey
Convex
Form
Flat
Sunken
Red/dark brown
Colour
Pale red, pink/light brown
Grey-brown, brown, grey, green
Transparent
Mucus
Milky, clotted
Brown, clotted
Fresh, seaweed
Odour
Metal, cucumber
Sour, mouldy
Rotten
Blood red/not present
Blood in
Blood more brown, yellowish
Abdomen
Neutral
Odour
Cucumber, melon
Sour, fermenting
Rotten/rotten cabbage
Quality
Index
33
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
0
1
2
3
0-24
3.5
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Coley (Saithe)
Quality parameter
Appearance
Skin
Stiffness
Eyes
Cornea
Form
Pupil
Gills
Colour
Odour
Mucus
Flesh, fillets
Colour
Blood
Colour
Description
Dull
In rigor
Firm, elastic
Soft
Very soft
Clear
Opalescent
Milky
Convex
Sunken
Black
Opaque
Grey
Blood red
Reminds of beef
Reddish areas
Rusty, dark brown
Yeast, bread, beef, sour milk
Clear
Milky
Discoloured, rusty, brown, clotted
Translucent, bluish
Waxy, milky
Red
Dark red
Brown
Quality Index
34
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0-23
3.6.
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Herring
Quality
parameter
Appearance
Skin
Blood on
Gill cover
Consistency
Belly
Odour
Eyes
Brightness
Shape
Gills
Colour
Odour
Description
Score
Very Shiny
Shiny
Matt
None
Very little (10-30%)
Some (30-50%)
Much (50-100%)
Hard
Firm
Yielding
Soft
Firm
Soft
Burst
Fresh sea odour
Neutral
Slightly secondary odour
Strong secondary odour
Bright
Somewhat lustreless
Convex
Flat
Sunken
Characteristic red
Somewhat pale, on-glossy, opaque
Neutral
Some secondary odour
Strong secondary odour
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
0
1
2
3
0-20
Quality Index
35
3.7
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Brill
Quality
parameter
Appearance
Eyes
Gills
Flesh, fillets
Description
Score
Fresh, bright, no discolouration

Rather dull and pale
Green/grey spoilage tints around fins
and cut surface
Matt, discoloured, grey, green spoilage
tints, green fins
White side Fresh, crme white, bronze glow, clear
muscle segmentation
Rather dull, less clear muscle
segmentation
Some green/grey spoilage tints around
fins and cut surface
Blue/green aura, purple spoilage tints
Clear, not clotted
Mucus
Slightly clotted and milky
Clotted and slightly yellow
Yellow and clotted
Firm, elastic (In rigor)
Texture,
Less firm, elastic
Backside
Soft
Very soft, skin seems loosened from
the flesh
Flat, eye socked convex
Form
Slightly sunken, eye socked shrunken
Sunken and or swollen
Brightness Black and clear, golden rim around the
pupil
Rather matt
Matt, reddish
Fresh, seaweedy, pepper
Odour
Neutral, hint of musty odour
Musty, yeast, bread, sour milk
Rotten, sour, sulphurous
Bright, red
Colour
Slightly discoloured, brown/red
Discoloured, brown/yellow/green
Discoloured, dark brown/green
Slight traces of clear mucus
Mucus
Milky
Yellow, grey, brown, clotted
Yellow, green, clotted
Fresh, crme white
Colour
Slightly yellowish, waxy
Yellow, brownish, discoloured
Yellow, red/brown, greenish,
discoloured
Dark side
Quality Index
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0-28
36
3.8
Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Plaice
Quality
parameter
Appearance
Skin
(both dark
and white
side)
Mucus
Eyes
Form
Brightness
Gills
Odour
Colour
Mucus
Flesh, fillets
Colour
Description
Score
Fresh, bright, metallic, no discolouration

Bright, but without shine
Matt, rather dull, slight green/blue or
purple discolouration
Dull, green/blue, purple discolouration
Clear, not clotted
Yellow and clotted
Convex
Convex but slightly sunken
Flat or swollen (like a balloon)
Flat, sunken in the middle
Clear, black shining pupil
Rather matt, black pupil
Matt, opaque pupil
Milky, grey pupil
Fresh oil, seaweedy, metallic, peppery
Neutral, oily, grassy, slightly musty
Musty, bread, beer, malt, slightly rancid
Rancid, sour, rotten, sulphurous
Bright, light red
Slightly discoloured, especially at the end
of gill filaments
Discoloured
Yellowish, brown, grey
No mucus
Clear
Yellowish, slightly clotted
Yellow, brown, clotted
Fresh, translucent, bluish
Waxy, milky
Dull, slightly discoloured, yellowish
Opaque, discoloured, yellow, brown
0
1
2
Quality Index
37
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0-24
3.9
Quality index Method (QIM) Scheme for Sole
Quality
parameter
Appearance Dark side
Eyes
Gills
Flesh,
fillets
Description
Score

Rather dull or pale, somewhat shrunken
skin
Dull, pale, some green or purple
discolouration
Dull, green and purple discolouration,
very shrunken skin
White side Fresh, bright, no discolouration
Some purple discolouration at the edges
of the fins
Dull, purple, yellow discolouration at fins
and in the middle
Yellow and purple discolouration
Clear, not clotted
Mucus
Yellow and clotted
Texture,
Less firm, elastic
Backside
Soft
Very soft
Form
Sunken and/or swollen, eye socked
shrunken
Brightness Black and clear, golden rim around pupil
Rather matt, faint golden rim around the
pupil
Matt, purple/reddish
Fresh, seaweedy
Odour
Neutral, metallic, rubbery
Musty, sour
Bright, light red
Colour
Slightly discoloured, gill cover light brown
Discoloured, gill cover brown
Yellowish, green/blue discolouration
No mucus
Mucus
Clear
Milky, slightly clotted
Yellow, thick, clotted
Fresh, crme white
Colour
Slightly yellowish
Yellow, discoloured
Yellow, brown, blue, discoloured
Quality
Index
38
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0-28
3.10 Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Turbot

Quality
parameter
White side
Mucus
Texture,
backside
Eyes
Form
Brightness
Gills
Odour
Colour
Mucus
Flesh,
fillets
Colour
Description
Score

Rather dull or pale, somewhat darker and
shrunken skin
Dull, pale, fins are greenish and discoloured
Dull, green and purple discolouration
Fresh, bright, wound near the tails is fresh red
Rather matt, wound near the tails is
yellow/brownish
Matt, yellowish, wound near the tails is brown
Clear not clotted
Yellow and clotted
Less firm, elastic
Soft
Very soft
Sunken and/or swollen, eye socked shrunken
Black and clear, golden rim around pupil
Rather matt, faint golden rim around the pupil
Matt, purple/reddish
Fresh, seaweedy
Neutral, metallic, rubbery
Musty, sour
Bright, light red
Slightly discoloured
Discoloured, light brown
Yellowish, green/blue, brown
No mucus
Clear
Yellow, thick, clotted
Fresh, crme white
Slightly yellowish
Yellow, discoloured
Yellow, brown, blue, discoloured
0
1
Quality
Index
39
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0-28
3.11 Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Gurnard

Attribute
Appearance Skin
appearance
Skin mucus
Eyes
Eye form
Eye clarity
Gills
Gill odour
Gill colour
Gill mucus
Flesh
texture
Texture
Fins
Fins
Description
Fresh, bright red-orange colours,
metallic/bronze side line, cream-white belly
Less bright, less red-orange, some greyish
discolouration
Dull, greyish, putrefaction colour
Clear, not clotted
Yellow, brown, clotted
Convex
Sunken
Clear cornea, clear black pupil, clear yellow
border around pupil
Cornea slightly clouded, dull pupil, yellow
border less defined
Milky cornea, milky pupil
Grey or red cornea, grey pupil
Fresh, seaweed, metallic grass
Neutral, metallic, slightly musty
Musty
Sour, rotten, faecal
Bright, red
Less bright, red
Discoloured, yellow spots
Yellow / brown discolouration
No mucus or clear mucus, lamellae slightly
sticky
Milky mucus, lamellae sticky
Yellow brown mucus, lamellae sticky
In rigor
Firm, elastic
Less firm, less elastic
Soft
Bright colours, colours well differentiated
Less bright, colours less differentiated
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
Grey-brown, colours not differentiated

Total score
2
0 - 22
40
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
3.12 QIM scheme for farmed Atlantic halibut

Attribute
White side
Mucus
Texture
Eyes
Pupils
Form
Gills
Colour
Mucus
Odour
Flesh fillet
colour
Colour
Description
Fresh bright, no discolouration
Bright but without shine
Dull, pale, some green discolouration
Dull, purple, green, green spoilage tints
Rather matt, wound near the tail is yellow
Yellow / green discolouration at fins and in the
middle
Clear, not clotted
Clotted and yellow
Firm, elastic
Less firm
Soft
Very soft
Clear and black, golden rim around the pupil
Rather matt, faint golden rim around the pupil
Matt, opaque pupil, reddish
Milky, grey pupil
Convex
Convex and slightly sunken
Sunken, swollen, eye socket shrunken
Flat, sunken in the middle
Bright, red
Slightly discoloured at the end of the filaments
Discoloured, brown / yellow, grey
Yellowish, brown, grey
No mucus
Milky, clear
Milky, yellow, slightly clotted
Clotted, yellow, brown
Fresh, seaweed
Neutral, oily, grassy, metallic
Musty, yeast, sour milk
Rotten, rancid, sour, sulphurous
Fresh, translucent, bluish, cream
Waxy, milky
Yellow, brownish, discoloured
QIM score
41
Score
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0 - 29
3.13 QIM scheme for raw, gilthead sea-bream

Attribute
Appearance Skin
Flesh
Slime /
mucus
Elasticity
Odour
Odour
Eyes
Clarity
Shape /
Form
Gills
Colour
Odour
Description
Very bright
Bright
Dull
Clear-transparent
Slightly cloudy / cloudy
Elastic
Marked by pressure
Fresh
Neutral
Fishy
Off-odours
Clear translucent
Slightly opaque
Opaque, bloody
Convex
Flat
Concave
Bright, dark red
Brownish red / discoloured
Fresh, seaweed
Neutral
Fishy
Off odours
QIM score
42
Score
0
1
2
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
0
1
2
3
0 - 15
3.14 QIM scheme for thawed, whole cod

Description
Firm texture, stiff and firm to finger touch
Elastic to finger touch, marks disappear after a
few seconds
Fairly soft and plastic flesh, marks do not
disappear
Very soft, flesh is easily penetrated on
pressure
Remains of No remains in the belly
guts
Few remains in the belly
Many remains in the belly
Normal, round shape as freshly caught cod
Shape of
fish
Fairly normal round shape with few marks
after freezing
Vey damaged during freezing, very deformed
Marks from No marks
fishing and A few small marks
handling
Many marks
Very many, big marks
Fresh, marine and seaweedy
Odour
Odour
Neutral
Slightly sour and metallic
Strong sour and metallic, Painty
Appearance Appearance Iridescent or opalescent, bright, shining, no
bleaching
Slight bleaching
Dull and very bleached, no iridescent, freeze
dried
Open surfaces white and blood in throat cut
Flesh
Flesh
red
colour in
colour
open
Open surfaces grey or slightly yellow
spaces
Open surfaces yellow or brown
Open surfaces very yellow and brown, milky
surfaces are freeze dried
QIM score
General
Attribute
Texture
43
Score
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0 - 18
3.15 QIM scheme for fillet from thawed cod
General
Attribute
Texture
Odour
Colour
Blood
stains
Gaping
Parasites
Description
Firm and stiff texture, no wateriness
Slightly soft, initial wateriness
Soft, wateriness noticeable
Very soft and pronounced wateriness
Neutral
Slightly sour, off odour
Very sour off odour
Plain white
Greyish
Grey, starting yellow maybe slightly red
Either yellow or very red, milky surfaces,
freeze dried
No stains
A single stain (diameter less than 3mm)
Single small stains (1-2 with diameter less
than 5mm)
Very discoloured from many stains or totally
red
No gaping, coherent
Score
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
Slight gaping but still coherent

Gaping noticeable, disrupted
Gaping pronounced, disrupted
No parasites
One parasite
More than one parasite
QIM score
1
2
3
0
1
2
0 - 16
44
0
1
2
3
0
3.16 QIM scheme for hake

Attribute
Appearance Surface
Eyes
Flesh
firmness
(dorsal
region)
Clarity
(cornea)
Pupils
Shape
Gills
Colour
Odour
Description
Bright, iridescent
Dull, less bright
Tenuous rosy-grey (pink shade in dorsal
region)
Tenuous yellowish rosy-grey (pink-yellow
shade in dorsal region)
Firm, elastic
Firm, less elastic
Less firm, much less elastic
Soft
Transparent, bright
Slightly opaque
Opaque
Black, bright & circular
Black, greyish, less bright
Black, greyish distorted
Milky grey and distorted
Slightly convex
Plane
Score
0
1
2
Sunken, slightly concave

Dark or bright red, little no mucus
Dull red, clear mucus
Brownish red, milky mucus
Colourless, filaments stick together
Fresh, seaweedy
Fresh, slight seaweedy
Slightly sweet, rancid
Off odours (acid, metallic, rancid)
QIM score
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0 19
45
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
3.17 QIM scheme for frozen headed and gutted hake
General
Attribute
Shape of
fish
Surface
appearance
(ventral
area)
Odour
Description
Normal round shape as freshly caught hake
Mechanically damaged during freezing,
deformed
Silver bright, bright shining, no bleaching
Slight bleaching
Dull and very bleached, freeze dried
Fresh marine, seaweed

Neutral, fruity
Slightly sour, metallic or cold stored
Strong sour and metallic, cold stored
Dehydration Between 0 10%
roughness
Between 10 50%
on head cut More than 50%
area
Either yellow or very red, milky surfaces,
freeze dried
Very firm
Firmness
Firm
Soft
Very soft
Marked by pressure
Elasticity
Not marked by pressure
Wateriness None with slight pressure
Some with slight pressure
Much with slight pressure
Remains of None
guts in the
Few
belly
Many
None
Catch
handling
Few
(bruises or
Many
marks)
QIM score
46
Score
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0 19
3.18 QIM scheme for whole, raw octopus stored in crushed ice
Skin
Flesh
Eyes
Mouth
region
Arms /
tentacles
Attribute
Description
Appearance Very bright, well-marked colours, white in the
clearest part of the body, skin elastic
/ Colour
Bright, less coloured, slightly pink in the
clearest parts of the body, skin with low
elasticity
Less bright, colourless, orange or brown spots,
colour somewhat more orange, rose in the
clearest parts of the body, shrunken skin
Seaweedy, sea-fresh
Odour
Slightly seaweedy, slightly grassy, neutral
Metallic, grassy, acid, intense
Transparent, watery
Mucus
Slightly milk, viscous (sticky), moderate or
absent
Firm, tense
Texture
Flaccid, soft
Translucent
Cornea
Slightly opalescent
Opalescent
Black, shining
Pupil
Black, dark red, muddy
Dark red, opaque, normally bloodstained
White, yellowish
Colour
Slightly rose
Seaweed or neutral
Odour
Sulphurous, citric, sweet, acid
Clear
Mucus
Milky
Yellowish
As a film all over the sucker
Material in
the sucker
Starting to agglomerate in the centre of the
sucker
Completely agglomerated in the centre of the
sucker
QIM score
47
Score
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
2
0 - 16
3.19 QIM scheme for cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)
Superficial
appearance
Attribute
Dorsal
face
Ventral
face
Skin
odour
Eyes
Colour
Eyelid
Head
Suckers
Tentacles
Shape
Mantle cavity
Odour
Flesh
colour
Gills
Ink sac
Description
Brownish with bright pigmentation, indistinct shell
Still brownish, with pink tones, more distinct shell
Brown to dark pink, perfectly distinct shell
Iridescent bright white, flat mantle
White with less iridescence, slightly sunken
mantle, with few stretch marks
Pink without iridescence, sunken mantle with
stretch marks
Well adherent to the flesh, resistant
Slightly fragile but still adherent
Fragile without adhesion
Seaweedy, fresh
Metallic or neutral
Musty or grassy
Ammoniacal, sour or rotten
Black
Purple
Lilac
White, milky
Clear transparent
Opalescent, foggy
Milky opaque
Well adherent, resistant
Slightly detachable (3-5 per tentacle)
Detachable, removable (>5 per tentacle)
Resistant, doesnt break when pulled away
Still resistant, break when pulled away
Not resistant, break easily when pulled away
Firm head, well defined ocular globe
Head and ocular globe slightly sunken
Head and ocular globe sunken and liquefied
Seaweedy, fresh
Metallic or neutral
Musty slightly sour
Ammoniacal or rotten
Mother of pearl or pearly white
Yellowish, ivory white
Greyish, translucent
Well defined, creamy colour
Slightly liquefied, black (from the ink)
Liquefied with only its filaments left
Well defined, liquid ink
Hard, thick ink
Soft, waxy or gummy ink
QIM score
48
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0 - 29
3.20 QIM scheme for farmed arctic char
Skin
Attribute
Colour /
appearance
Mucus
Odour
Texture
Eyes
Pupils
Form
Gills
Colour /
appearance
Mucus
Odour
Abdomen
Blood in
abdomen
Odour
Description
Pearl, shiny all over
Less pearl-shiny
Yellowish, mainly near the abdomen
Clear, no clotting
Milky, clotted
Yellow and clotted
Fresh sea-weed, neutral
Metal, cucumber, grass
Hay, sour
Rotten, dish cloth
In rigor
Finger mark disappears
Leaves mark over 3 seconds
Dark gray
Matte, gray
Convex
Flat
Sunken
Red / flesh blood
Pale pink, pink / light brown
Gray-brown, brown, gray, green
Transparent
Milky, clotted
Brown, clotted
Fresh, metal
Metal, cucumber, grass
Sour, mouldy
Rotten
Blood red / not present
Blood brown, yellowish
Neutral
Cucumber, melon
Sour, reminds of fermentation
Rotten, rotten cabbage
QIM score
49
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
0
1
2
3
0 - 24
3.21 QIM scheme for red mullet and gold-band goatfish
Skin
Eyes
Gills
Attribute
Colour /
appearance
Description
Very bright
Bright
Matt
None
Blood on
gill cover
Some
Much
Hard
Texture
Firm
Soft
Firm
Texture of
belly
Soft
Burst
Fresh sea odour
Odour
Neutral
Slight off-odour
Strong off odour
Appearance Bright
Somewhat lustreless
Convex
Shape
Flat
Sunken
Characteristic red
Colour /
appearance Somewhat pale, matt, brown
Odour
Neutral
Some off odour
Strong off odour
QIM score
50
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
0
1
2
0
1
0
1
2
3
0 - 18
3.22 QIM scheme for raw anchovy (E. encrasicholus)
General
appearance
Eyes
Gills
Abdomen
Flesh
Attribute
Surface
appearance
Description
Very bright, iridescence bluish violet
Less bright, iridescence not bluish
Slightly dull, not bright
Transparent watery mucus
Mucus /
slime
Slightly cloudy mucus
Plentiful (slippery) yellowish brownish mucus
Intact
Skin
Slightly broken or easy to break
Torn and damaged
Clear, transparent
Clarity
(cornea)
Slightly cloudy
Opaque
Bright black
Pupils
Dull black, not so circular
Grey
Grey and distorted
Convex
Form /
shape
Flat
Concave
Sunken
Bright red
Colour /
appearance Dull-red
Brownish red
Discoloured
Seaweedy
Odour
Slightly seaweedy, neutral
Slightly acrid, rancid or sweet, metallic
Firm
Post gill
(belly burst) Burst (<50%) and soft
Burst, very soft
Appearance Velvety, translucent
& colour
Waxy, pink
Wax-like matt, dark red colour
QIM score
51
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0 - 23
3.23 Sensory assessment score for cooked anchovy

Score
10
Odour
Characteristic of cooked
anchovy
Characteristic, less-strong
8
7
Neutral, slightly sweet
6
5
Sweet, fruity
Fishy
4
3
Very fishy, acrid, sour

Lactic acid, ammoniac,
rancid
Taste
Characteristic of
cooked anchovy,
very succulent
Characteristic, less
strong, succulent
Neutral, slightly
sweet
Slightly metallic, dry
Slightly sour, acrid
or rancid
Bitter, sour, rancid
Ammoniac to
sulphides
52
Texture
Firm and elastic
Slightly firm and

elastic
Less elastic
Dry
Pasty
Increase of anterior
attribute
3.24 QIM scheme farmed sea bass
Skin
Attribute
Colour /
appearance
Odour
Texture
Eyes
Pupils
Form
Gills
Colour
Odour
Mucus
Flesh,
fillets
Colour
Viscera
Solution
Description
Rather dull, becoming discoloured (head)
Green, yellowish, mainly near the abdomen
Fresh seaweedy, neutral
Cucumber, metal, hay
Sour, dish cloth
Rotten
In rigor
Finger mark disappear rapidly
Finger leaves mark for 3 seconds
Grey
Matt, grey
Convex
Flat
Sunken
Blood red / orange
Pale red, pink / light brown
Grey-brown, brown, grey
Fresh, seaweed, neutral
Metal, grass
Sour, mouldy, dish cloth
Rotten
Transparent
Milky, clotted
Brown, clotted
Translucent, bluish
Waxy, milky
Whole
Beginning to dissolve
Viscera dissolved
QIM score
53
Score
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
3
0
1
2
0
1
2
0
1
2
0 - 22
4.
Estimated Remaining Shelf Life using QIM
Results from the well-controlled storage experiment carried out by fish research institutes
in Iceland (IFL), the Netherlands (RIVO) and Denmark (DIFRES) are used to predict
storage time and when the QIM score has been evaluated. The end of storage time is
defined when a trained sensory panel detects spoilage flavour in cooked samples of the
fish. A linear relationship between the Quality Index and storage time in ice has been
found and the best fit of the regression lines calculated for each species and shown in
the following tables. The regression lines are used to predict storage time in ice after
evaluation of the Quality Index. The remaining shelf life is found by subtracting predicted
storage time from estimated shelf life.
The following tables show estimated remaining shelf life for some species.
Cod
Quality Index= 1,02 x days in ice
+ 1,08 (R2 = 0.965)
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
Time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
1
14
2
2
13
3
3
12
4
3
12
5
4
11
6
5
10
7
6
9
8
7
8
9
8
7
10
8
7
11
9
6
12
10
5
13
11
4
14
12
3
15
13
2
16
13
2
17
14
1
18
16
0
Haddock
Quality Index = 1,226 x days in
ice + 0,62 (R2 = 0,986)
Quality
Index
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
54
Storage
time in
ice
(days)
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
14
15
Remaining
Shelf life
(days)
14
13
13
12
11
10
9
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
1
0
Redfish
ice 1,41 (R2 = 0,941)
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
2
16
2
3
15
3
4
14
4
5
13
5
6
12
6
7
11
7
8
10
8
9
9
9
10
8
10
11
7
11
12
6
12
13
5
13
14
4
14
15
3
15
16
2
16
17
17
18
Farmed Salmon
ice + 1,57 (R2 = 0,953)
Quality
Storage
Remaining
Index
time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
0
20
2
1
19
3
3
17
4
4
16
5
6
14
6
7
13
7
9
11
8
10
10
9
11
9
10
13
7
11
14
6
12
16
4
13
17
3
14
19
1
15
20
0
1
0
55
Coley
ice + 0,0
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
1
17
2
2
16
3
3
15
4
4
14
5
5
13
6
6
12
7
7
11
8
8
10
9
9
9
10
10
8
11
1
7
12
12
6
13
13
6
14
13
5
15
14
4
16
15
3
17
16
2
18
17
1
Herring
Quality Index = 2,3 x days in ice
+ 0,97 (R2 = 0,740)
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
0
8
2
0
8
3
0
8
4
1
7
5
1
7
6
2
6
7
2
6
8
3
5
9
3
5
10
3
5
11
4
4
12
4
4
13
5
3
14
5
3
15
6
2
16
6
2
17
6
2
18
7
1
20
8
0
56
Brill
ice +0 (R2 = 0,872)
Quality
Index
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Storage
time in
ice
(days)
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
8
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
14
Remaining
shelf life
(days)
13
12
12
11
10
9
9
8
7
6
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
Plaice
ice + 0 (R2 = 0,89)
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
1
12
2
2
11
3
2
11
4
3
10
5
4
9
6
5
8
7
5
8
8
6
7
9
7
6
10
8
5
11
9
4
12
9
4
13
10
3
14
11
2
15
12
1
16
13
1
17
13
0
57
Sole
Quality Index + 1,85 x days in
ice + 0 (R2 = 0,91)
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
time in
Shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
1
14
2
1
14
3
2
13
4
2
13
5
3
12
6
3
12
7
4
11
8
4
11
9
5
10
10
5
10
11
6
9
12
6
9
13
7
8
14
8
7
15
8
7
16
9
6
17
9
6
18
10
5
19
10
5
20
11
4
21
11
4
22
12
3
23
12
3
24
13
2
25
14
1
26
14
1
27
15
0
Turbot
ice + 0 (R2 = 0,89)
Quality
Storage Remaining
Index
time in
shelf life
ice
(days)
(days)
1
0
13
2
1
12
3
1
12
4
2
11
5
2
11
6
3
10
7
3
10
8
4
9
9
4
9
10
5
8
11
5
8
12
5
8
13
6
7
14
6
7
15
7
6
16
7
6
17
8
5
18
8
5
19
9
4
20
9
4
21
10
3
22
10
3
23
10
3
24
11
2
25
11
2
26
12
1
27
12
1
28
13
0
58

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Sensory assessment scoresheets

for fish and shellfish

Collated by Michaela Archer

Quality Index Method (QIM) Scheme for Farmed Salmon ............................... 33

2.0 TORRY SCORESHEETS

Definitions of some terms used in sensory assessment of fish

A weak indefinite odour or flavour without specific fresh or stale character.

The odour of goats or horses

'Coin in the mouth' sensation

The odour of old leather and sweat

An odour pertaining to the seaside

The odour and flavour of raw potatoes and flour

The full flavour of nuts, e.g. walnuts, hazelnuts

The unpleasant odour or flavour of stale oil, stale fat

A fragrant sweet smelling odour

A sharp, pungent, prickling sensation

The odour or flavour of stale fish oil

The dour or flavour of young, tender shoots

The odour or flavour of oranges, limes etc.

A spicy, fragrant odour or flavour

The odour or flavour of toffee

The odour or flavour of stale butter

The odour or flavour of vinegar

The odour or flavour of sour milk

The odour or flavour of animal fat, suet

The pungent odour or flavour of freshly crushed garlic

An odour vaguely suggesting damp cellars, mildew or hay or ground oatmeal

The yeasty odour of fresh bread

The odour of composted grass

The pronounced, slightly sharp odour of freshly cut grass

A sweet-acid odour, suggesting over-ripe fruit

2.2. Texture Profile

0 no water released but not necessarily dry

0 very soft, very easily compressed

0 completely plastic, retains its deformed state

short fibres, almost mealy

This is the alternative to fibrous in describing the geometry of the

Resistance to breakdown on chewing to a state suitable for swallowing.

The sensation of juiciness in the mouth

Describe any other texture characteristics not covered by the defined

Freshness Score Sheet For Iced Cod

Cod - Raw Fish

Texture and Effect of

Flesh and Belly Flaps

Kidney and Blood

Cut surface stained

Bright red blood flows

Glossy, bright red or

Convex lens, black

Flesh firm and elastic.

White with bluish

Bright red, blood does

Loss of gloss and

Slight mousy, musty or

Slightly sunken, slightly

Softening of the flesh,

Sunken, milky white

Further loss of skin

Softer flesh, definite

Brownish kidney blood

Slight bleaching and

Bready, malty, beery,

Lactic acid, sour milk or