What might impart stronger, less desirable flavors into older, larger snapper tissues?
Answer
Their diet and living conditions associated with aging and growth.
The reasoning behind the belief that large snapper yield poorer flavor often involves environmental and dietary factors accumulated over time. As a fish ages and increases in size, the specific forage it consumes within its localized habitat can significantly influence the flavor profile present in its flesh. If a large fish has been feeding heavily on certain types of forage in a specific environment, it can lead to flavor variations that are noticeably different—and potentially less desirable, such as being muddier or fishier—than those found in a smaller fish sourced from clearer, different waters.

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