What shrimp is better to buy - the rules and secrets of choosing delicious shrimp

Shrimps are sea and freshwater, and there are more than 2000 species. These seafood differ mainly in size. Taste properties of different types also vary. You need to choose the product carefully, as damaged crustaceans can lead to dangerous poisoning. What kind of shrimp is better to buy is described in the article.

Description

Shrimp are seafood, which in many countries are a delicacy. These are crustacean creatures that can reach sizes up to 30 cm. On average, the size of the shrimp is 10–12 cm. There are many types of these creatures that differ in size. Their catch occurs in the seas, but cultivation on farms is allowed.

Benefit and harm

This product is useful due to the content of many useful substances. Shrimp has long been considered a powerful aphrodisiac that increases libido in men and women. This is a low-calorie product, so it can be used for cooking diet foods. Shrimp contains many vitamins.

Thanks to regular use of shrimp, allergenic cells are eliminated, which reduces the risk of food allergies. There are many antioxidants in this product that contribute to the destruction of cancer cells with regular use. Seafood will be harmful if consumed excessively, as well as if they were caught in contaminated water bodies.

Composition

The chemical composition of the product is rich in various trace elements and vitamins. It contains a lot of protein, which is needed for energy by the body. Still shrimp contain omega acids, have a positive effect on blood vessels and the elasticity of the heart muscle.

They have many valuable trace elements that are beneficial to the body. These are manganese, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, iodine. There are vitamins of groups B, A, E, D.

Features

Product happens:

• frozen and chilled;
• peeled and uncleaned;
• in packages and by weight.
  

Shrimps are perishable seafood, so they are rarely sold chilled. They are usually frozen immediately after catching. If they are sold chilled, then this is probably a thawed product. They must be consumed immediately after acquisition, but they must not be frozen again. It is almost impossible to bring seafood to another country. What kind of shrimp is better to buy is described below.

Kinds

Considering the topic of which shrimp is better to take, you should consider their types. Nowadays, many varieties of these seafood come to stores and markets. Which shrimp is better - tiger or king? To do this, you should familiarize yourself with the features of each type. But the most popular include:

• royal;
• tiger;
• northern (chillim).

Which shrimp is best to buy depends on individual preferences. The royal species caught in the seas differs markedly from the two previous varieties that are farmed. What shrimp tastes better? Seafood grown in non-wild conditions can reach up to 25 cm in 1 year. Their back is more massive than their heads, which makes them more delicious. King prawns are usually greenish or bluish in color. Sell ​​goods in freshly frozen or boiled-ice cream form.

Tiger prawns are large, as well as dark stripes on the shell. The last sign was the reason for obtaining such a name. Individuals are able to reach up to 40 cm in length. They have more meat than other types. These crustaceans are caught in the seas, bred on farms, so products are almost always in stores. It can be frozen, fresh-frozen, chilled, boiled-frozen, canned.

Northern shrimp are considered the smallest. The maximum size is usually not more than 11 cm. They are caught or bred in the Atlantic. Compared to other relatives, the northern inhabitants carry caviar under the abdomen. Other species throw it in the water. There are boiled-frozen seafood in the shops, since the only way to keep them fresh and juicy. Which shrimp is better to buy - peeled or not, is described below.

The choice

What kind of shrimp is better to buy? When choosing, it is important to pay attention to the appearance of the product, freshness, as well as the information that is indicated on the package. It is sold in containers and bags. Often there is a realization by weight. Information on the expiration date in any case must be found out necessarily.

What shrimp to buy? The following nuances must be taken into account:

1. High-quality and fresh seafood has a folded tail, and the color is uniform.
2. On a shrimp package, the numbers should be indicated in the format 100/120, 80/100 (these codes indicate the number of shrimps in the package, for example, from 100 to 120 or from 80 to 100).
3. Individuals should not stick together (ice and snow should be absent).
4. A green head is not considered a sign of spoilage (many types of seafood have this feature).
5. If the individuals have a brown head, then this is considered a sign of the presence of caviar (seafood is considered the most healthy by nutritional properties).
6. Size usually indicates the species, not age (small ones reach 2 cm, and large ones - 30 cm).
7. It is believed that the seafood that was caught in cold waters is delicious and juicy.
8. The color of individuals should be saturated, not pale (the color can change depending on the species).
9. The packaging should contain complete information about the manufacturer, including address, phone, email.

These are all important nuances that answer the question of which prawns are the best. A quality product will be delicious and very healthy. Which shrimp is better - peeled or not? According to experts, the second option is the best.

What is not worth choosing?

But there are products that should not be chosen:

1. Old seafood can be distinguished by dry shell, yellow stains on the body (such products have a hard consistency).
2. Black spots on the shell indicate the “advanced” age of the shrimp (darkening is clearly visible on the legs).
3. There should be no ice or snow in the bag, as these signs confirm the repeated freezing of products.
4. If the shrimp has black heads, then they are infected with ailments, they can not be eaten.
5. If the tail is straight, then this indicates freezing of the individual dead, it is impossible to eat such a product.
6. You should not choose products if individuals are very different in size. In this way, expensive seafood can be diluted with cheap varieties.
7. Carefully choose shrimp in red plastic bags. This color reliably sets off the color change of the shrimp during inappropriate storage, so such packaging should be studied more carefully.
8. Pale pink seafood becomes a violation of storage rules. Color changes with repeated changes in temperature.

What kind of shrimp is better to buy - peeled or not? Experts advise giving preference to uncleaned seafood. After cooking, such products will be tastier. In addition, chemical compounds may be used for purification. It is better to purchase seafood in a package. Full information is indicated there, which is difficult to obtain from the seller.

Which shrimp are better preserved - boiled or raw? It is advisable to choose fresh-frozen species, as they include more valuable ingredients. Before cooking, they must be gradually thawed, first moved from the freezer to the general compartment of the refrigerator.

Nuances

When frozen, shrimp is coated with a protective coating, with glaze. This is considered normal: in its absence, the product loses its natural internal moisture and will be dry. Thanks to the ice shell, the prawns are protected from contact with oxygen. This prevents the oxidation of meat, leading to the appearance of a "metallic" taste. Allowed the presence of up to 7% of icing.

Glazed ice is divided into individual shock and block. The difference lies in the fact that in the first case, each individual is covered with a crust separately, and in the second, the products are placed in an aluminum tray, then filled with water, frozen in a freezer and packed in cardboard boxes.

Manufacturers

When buying, it is important to consider the country of the supplier. In Europe, there is strict quality control of products, which is not performed by manufacturers in Asia. Like other seafood, shrimp is not stored for a long time. Therefore, they are immediately frozen, however, sometimes they do it after boiling.

Shrimp can also be peeled in shells. The choice depends on personal preferences, but knowledgeable people believe that the uncleaned appearance is still tastier. The manufacturer must be indicated on the product packaging.

Cooking

After choosing the products you need to properly prepare. This procedure is performed as follows:

1. Defrosting is required first. The product is placed in the refrigerator on the lower shelves. Then it is left at room temperature.
2. Shrimps dip in boiling water for 2-5 minutes and get. If they are digested, they will be tough. It is advisable to add Provencal herbs and a little rosemary to the water. This will improve the taste and make the product juicy.
3. After cooking, seafood should be left in the broth for 15-20 minutes.

Another shrimp is steamed. This preserves their beneficial properties much better.

In brine

Are brine foods good for you? In this form, they are sold in a store, but you can cook at home. Even with brine, the benefits of seafood are not reduced. Only marinade is harmful, especially industrial. If you like ready-made dishes, it is best not to use seafood pickle and purchase goods only from trusted manufacturers.

Storage

Fresh produce is stored for no more than 3 days, and frozen - 2 months. Seafood can be left in the freezer for 4 months. But it should be borne in mind that after 2 months of storage, the taste is worsened. The meat will be tougher and tasteless. It is desirable to store shrimps in the freezer, wrapping them with foil.

After defrosting, the product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days. Boiled, you can leave no more than 3 days in the refrigerator. At room temperature, the product will quickly deteriorate in a few hours. But if necessary, it is advisable to place seafood in salt water. This increases the freshness by 2-3 hours.

Recommendations for use:

1. Shrimp should not be eaten raw. It is best to boil them, since with this treatment useful substances are preserved.
2. Do not digest the delicacy. The water is first boiled and salted, and then the product is sent to it.
3. The duration of the heat treatment is determined by the size. Typically, the product is boiled until floating - 3-6 minutes.
4. After cooking, shrimp should remain a little in the pan. Then they must be sprinkled with olive oil.
5. Do not cook for future use. Cook it better for 1 time. Seafood quickly lose their taste if they are boiled in the refrigerator.

This is a protein product, so it is advisable to use it in the 1st half of the day. Often boiled delicacy is added to salads and eaten for dinner. Such seafood is good for everyone. Dishes based on them are very tasty.

Thus, shrimp are a tasty and healthy product. The main thing is to learn how to choose it correctly.