The shrimp has gone from being a food reserved only for special occasions, to become a product of great consumption, widely used in the kitchens of our country for dishes as common as paella and totally recommended to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. This situation has been brought about by advances in freezing, aquaculture and the importation of crustaceans from different parts of the world.
In spite of its new role, it continues to occupy a prominent place as a fixed guest at Christmas meal tables.
There are different types of prawns in the market, they can have a striped body (commonly called tiger prawns) or without stripes (white prawns). The latter, which come from aquaculture, are called Vannamei prawns and are the most common variety.
According to OCU data, 95% of the prawns sold in Spain are frozen, and one third are sold already cooked. In addition, almost a quarter of the annual consumption of prawns takes place in the month of December, and therefore, today we want to give you some tips to know how to make the right choice when you go to buy them.
IS IT BETTER TO BUY PACKAGED OR BULK PRAWNS?
A first key clarification: bulk or by weight prawns have also been frozen, the only difference is that they have already been thawed and must be consumed quickly. If this is not the case, and you are not going to consume it immediately, it is best to choose packaged products.
But there are also other reasons why it is preferable to choose to buy packaged prawns:
- Studies conducted by the OCU conclude that the freshness in frozen prawns is good or very good and do not present failures in hygiene. The hygiene and freshness of bulk prawns are worse.
- Consumer information on products sold by weight is worse, since data on origin, method of capture, freezing, size, etc. are not specified.
- There is a false belief regarding the price of packaged prawns: cooked prawns sold by weight are NOT cheaper than packaged ones.
At Mariscos Apolo we have been selling frozen prawns in different formats, both for large supermarkets and for restaurants and small stores, for more than half a century.
Shrimp is one of the main products that we pack in our own facilities, but there are also varieties that we import already packaged at origin, such as shrimp tails and shrimp skewers. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art technology in the frozen food industry, the product, which we extract from the best fishing grounds in the world, maintains its flavor and properties as if it were freshly caught.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF SHRIMP
The shrimp is a food rich in protein and low in fat, and contains vitamins A, D, E, and B. It is a food recommended especially for muscle development; and because of its high protein content, it is highly recommended for consumption during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy, due to the need for nutrients during these stages.
They provide Omega 3 fatty acids, with important benefits to prevent cardiovascular diseases. It is also very beneficial for our metabolism due to its abundance of iodine, regulating the energy level and the correct functioning of cells, also helping to strengthen hair, skin and nails.
