Varieties

Technically, shrimp and prawns are different things, but widespread confusion has lead to the two names being used interchangeably.

Often, larger shrimp are called prawns.

There are many, many varieties of shrimp depending on where they are harvested, the time of year, etc.

In terms of flavor, they can generally be divided into three types:

 

Brown Shrimp

 

The color of shrimp comes from what it eats. Brown shrimp eat sea plants and are generally higher in iodine. They have the most distinctive flavor, and they are usually less expensive. If you like a stronger, more forward shrimp flavor, brown shrimp is for you. They tend to be smaller than white shrimp and have a firmer texture. This shrimp is great for stuffing, étouffée, and thick stews. Their season is April through February.

 

Pink Shrimp

 
 Sweeter than brown shrimp, pink shrimp are most commonly found in colder waters and are generally smaller with moister flesh. Pink shrimp are marketed fresh or frozen, shelled or unshelled, raw or cooked. They are caught year-round but tend to be most abundant during the winter and spring. These shrimp are tender and mild with sweet-tasting flesh in their tails. Raw pink shrimp should smell like the ocean without any ammonia smell. Cooked and shelled pink shrimp should be plump. Pink shrimps are also sweet with an even more mild flavor profile, so they pair well with dishes that feature delicate sauces (like shrimp and grits) and they grill up quite nicely (especially with the heads on). They’re also the biggest of the Gulf shrimp species.

 

White Shrimp

White shrimp are prized for their large size, tender texture, and mild flavor. They are great for shrimp boils, Louisiana BBQ shrimp, and other preparations where they can soak in the flavors of the dish and their texture really stands out. White shrimp season is April through December.

 

 

 

**All of the information provided was compiled from several online resources.

While every effort is made to ensure that this content is true and accurate, nickpapajohn.com cannot guarantee the validity of the information gathered**

 

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