Shrimp Facts

Shrimp is one of the most popular shellfish in the United States. This is not surprising because shrimp have a distinctive flavor, and the pink-white cooked meat is tender, delicate and delicious.

The shrimp is a ten-legged crustacean that has its skeleton on the outside. Shrimp from the warm waters of the Gulf and South Atlantic grow larger then cold water shrimp. The species of warm water shrimp most commonly found in the market are white, brown, and pink. They are interchangeable in any shrimp recipe.

Shrimp are usually sold by size or grade based on the number of shrimp per pound. (Example 31/35, 41/50, 110/130 etc...) Fresh shrimp are firm in texture and have a mild odor. Available in a variety of market forms, shrimp may be bought raw or cooked, peeled or unpeeled, and fresh or frozen. When bought frozen shrimp make sure the shrimp are frozen solid, have little or no odor, no brown spots and no signs of freezer burns, indicated by a very white, dry appearance around the edges.

Two pounds of raw headless, unpeeled shrimp, properly cooked, will yield one pound of cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp which is enough for six people. For maximum quality, cook fresh shrimp within a day or two of purchase. Cooked shrimp may be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days. Raw headless shrimp in the shell maintain quality during freezing longer than frozen, cooked shrimp and are best if frozen at the peak of freshness. Fresh shrimp can be frozen in a block of ice or glazed. Raw shrimp maintains quality during freezing at a temperature of 0 F. or below for approximately six months.

Thaw frozen shrimp by placing them in the refrigerator, allowing 18 to 24 hours for a one-pound package to thaw. For a quicker method of thawing, place them under cold running water. NEVER thaw shrimp at room temperature.

The cleaning method is the same for raw or cooked shrimp, but it is simpler to do when raw.

1. To peel, hold the tail of the shrimp in one hand; slip the thumb of the other hand under the shell between the swimmerets and lift off several segments of the shell. Repeat, if necessary, removing all but the tail section.
2. If the tail section is to be removed, hold the tail section and squeeze with the thumb and forefinger. Pull the shrimp meat with the other hand until it is released from the shell.
3. The vein (usually black) located along the upper curve is commonly referred to as the "sand vein". Most people prefer to remove it to prevent any sand or grit in the cooked shrimp. It can be removed before or after cooking, but it is much easier to do before cooking. The vein which is located on the under curve is part of the circulatory system and need not be removed. To remove the "sand vein", make a cut with a sharp knife about 1/8 inch deep along the upper curve of the shrimp, then rinse away the sand vein under cold running water.

Shrimp may be prepared in hundreds of ways and served for almost any course in a menu. Shrimp are an excellent source of high quality protein, vitamins and minerals, and because they are low in calories and easy to digest, they can fit into many special diets.

Shrimp may be simmered before or after cleaning depending on personal preference. From experience it has been observed that people eat more boiled shrimp when the shrimp is peeled and deveined. They do not eat quite as many if they have to work at it. Although raw shrimp are easier to clean, cooking shrimp with the shell on gives the cooked shrimp a rich pink color and a more natural curve. Cooking time varies only slightly between peeled and unpeeled shrimp. The cleaned shrimp require a little closer attention to avoid overcooking. The amount of salt is the largest variation, in that shrimp simmered in the shell require 1/4 cup salt while peeled and deveined shrimp require only 2 tablespoons.