072 // 073 The Science of Fish and Seafood

Is it better to buy shrimp

WITH THEIR HEADS ON?
Shrimp are the most widely eaten seafood in the world, and are available to buy in many different forms.

Shrimp are sold whole, with the head removed, the shell split,
This gland or completely peeled. Normally, we would assume that a whole,
contains
digestive unadulterated fish offers the fullest, freshest flavor experience,
enzymes. but this is not necessarily the case with shrimp.

Why shrimp heads affect taste

Anatomy
of a shrimp
A shrimp’s digestive organs
sit just behind its head, above
the gills. These include a
gland that releases spoiling
enzymes after death.
Soon after death, substances from a shrimp’s digestive system
start to leak out into its flesh. Enzymes in these juices
quickly begin to eat away at the flesh, causing it to
turn mushy. Most of these enzymes come from the
hepatopancreas, a small gland in the base of the head, so
taking off the head as soon as possible slows the degradation
of the shrimp. Unless they are very fresh, shrimp that
have had their heads removed before shipping to the store
will have the best meat. If you are eating freshly caught
shrimp, however, those with their heads on
will retain more moisture and flavor when
cooked. The shells and most of the head
The stomach is positioned are inedible, but can be used to make
at the base of the head. a flavorful stock.

Is it better to buy shrimp

RAW OR PRECOOKED,
FRESH OR FROZEN?
When shrimp are caught, whether in the ocean or on a shrimp farm,
time is of the essence—they can spoil within just a few hours.

Because shrimp spoil quickly shrimp farms, are simmered more

(see above), they are often gently, but nevertheless tend

–4°F
processed in the moments to be overdone and dry.
after being caught. They Unless your shrimp are
may be rapidly frozen at freshly caught, choose
(–20°C) is the maximum
sea, chilled on ice for frozen, shell-on shrimp
temperature at which
processing on shore, or with the head off for
cooked at sea by briskly shrimp are rapidly the best flavor and
boiling them in seawater. frozen after freshness. Shrimp that
Shrimp that are cooked on catch. are “individually quick SHRIMP
shore, or are harvested from frozen” (IQF) are the best quality. CURRY