Why we always buy frozen shrimp—and why you’ll want to do the same
The idea that products from the freezer are less fresh or healthy is something we can immediately put to rest. It turns out that some frozen vegetables are even healthier than fresh ones. The same goes for shrimp: you’re better off choosing a bag from the freezer. Here’s why.
Why we always buy frozen shrimp
Let’s get straight to the point: frozen shrimp are fresher. As soon as the fishermen bring the shrimp out of the water, the shellfish are placed in ice-cold storage. This means the shrimp freeze in no time, preserving their flavor and quality until you thaw them at home.
Fresh?
Although you might think otherwise, the shrimp you find in the fresh-food section of the supermarket are also frozen immediately after being caught. When the shrimp arrive at the supermarket, they are packaged and thawed. So every hour they spend in transit and then in the refrigerated section makes them less fresh. To ensure that they still keep for a few days, additives are added. This is generally not the case with frozen shrimp, which are often sold unpeeled.
Difference in price
What’s more, frozen shrimp are considerably cheaper. A 450-gram bag of raw, unpeeled shrimp (heads and tails mean more flavor!) costs around 7 euros. That works out to approximately €1.55 per 100 grams. A 100-gram container of ‘fresh’ shrimp costs nearly twice as much—namely €2.79.
Also read:
- Common mistakes when preparing shrimp
- Large garlic shrimp with white wine
- Recipe for the most delicious shrimp cocktail
