A large percentage of the scallops available to consumers in this country have been soaked in a solution containing sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), which causes the scallops to absorb and retain moisture. For this reason, scallops containing STPP are known in the industry as “wet” while those without additives are marketed as “dry.”
Ingredients
A Simple Test to See If Your Scallops Are Chemically Treated
Plus tips for what to do if they are.
By Published July 11, 2022.
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Buying “wet” scallops come with several downsides. For one thing, you’ll be paying for about 14 percent additional water weight. We have also found that STPP-treated scallops cook up with washed-out, slightly off flavor, and a bouncy texture. Finally, STPP scallops shed about 25 percent more moisture during cooking than dry scallops. The liquid releases into the skillet, dropping the temperature and preventing browning.
A Simple Test to Find Out if Your Scallops are “Wet” or “Dry”
If you are unsure whether your scallops are wet or dry, conduct this quick test: Place 1 scallop on a paper towel-lined, microwave-safe plate and microwave on high power for 15 seconds. If the scallop is “dry,” it will exude very little water. If it is “wet,” there will be a sizable ring of moisture on the paper towel. (The microwaved scallop can be cooked as is.)
Camouflaging the Disagreeable Flavor in “Wet” Scallops
It’s not possible to remove the excess water from STTP-treated scallops, but you can camouflage the off-flavor of the chemical with the following simple lemon brine.
Soak 1 1/2 pounds of scallops in a solution of 1 quart cold water, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons table salt for 30 minutes. Pat the scallops dry and proceed with your recipe.
Favorite Scallop Recipes
Pan-Seared Scallops
Juicy, crisp-crusted pan-seared scallops means overcoming two obstacles: chemically treated scallops and weak stovetops.Get the Recipe
Grilled Scallops
For quick, clean-tasting ceviche, lightly "cook" thin-sliced scallops for 30 minutes in lemon, lime, or a combination of citrus juices.Get the Recipe
Broiled Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
A staple of cocktail parties for generations, bacon-wrapped shrimp combines smoky pork and briny shrimp to great effect. Balancing flavor and ensuring each component is cooked to perfection can be a real challenge.Get the Recipe
