Seafood expert Larry Braufman of American Fish and Seafood Company shares tips on how to choose shrimp and lobster.
- There are three basic types of shrimp: whole raw shrimp with the peel still on (see photo), peeled and deveined shrimp, and cooked shrimp. All types are available both fresh and frozen.
- Make sure to avoid shrimp that have black spots.
- If it smells like ammonia, don't buy it.
- Color is a matter of preference, as shrimp come in many shades--green, brown, white or pink. Green shrimp just means that the shell is still on and does not indicate the color of the meat. In any case, shrimp turns pink when cooked.
- A common misconception is that brown shrimp have higher levels of iodine, and some people think white shrimp have less iodine and are better to buy. Neither assumption is necessarily true. Again, green shrimp just means that the shell is still on--it does not indicate the color of the meat.
- At the grocery store, shrimp will be labeled by numbers such as 31 to 35. This means the number of shrimp per pound.
- The general rule is the larger the shrimp, the higher the price.
- Cooked shrimp is available in three basic sizes and is an extremely convenient way to buy seafood. Tiny shrimp are great for salads, while medium shrimp and large shrimp are good for shrimp cocktail.
- Here are some tips when looking for whole raw shrimp: The best shrimp come from the Gulf of Mexico. Farm-raised shrimp are high in quality. Tiger shrimp is another high-quality variety, and comes from Southeast Asia.
- The jumbo prawn is also an option when looking for raw shrimp, and it is easy to grill. There is a difference in prawn classifications on the different coasts, so be aware of this when buying prawns.
- To devein a prawn, cut it with a knife along the back of the prawn. Split the prawn open and pull out the vein. Another option is to run a specialized knife known as a shrimp cleaner down the back of the prawn, then lift up to remove the vein.
Guests Larry Braufman
Seafood Expert, American Fish and Seafood
5501 Opportunity Court
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Phone: 952-935-3474
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