In the display case, fresh shrimp always look more enticing — and, well, fresher — than frozen, but according to the LA Times Test Kitchen, frozen shrimp is actually the better choice.
Because nearly all the commercial shrimp we buy are individually quick-frozen shortly after being caught, the "fresh" shrimp in the seafood case is actually just thawed frozen shrimp. Non-frozen shrimp are less convenient and usually more expensive than frozen and because there's no telling when they were thawed, they can also be less fresh. Oh, the irony.
• Read more: L.A. Times Test Kitchen Tips: Frozen shrimp
Did you know this fact about fresh versus frozen shrimp? Which do you usually buy?
Related: Which Vegetables Are OK to Buy Frozen?
(Image: Liz Vidyarthi)
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Very good to know! And, I think, the frozen shrimp are generally the less expensive choice also. Win Win!! Thanks :)
Really? I've been avoiding frozen shrimp like the plague after reading this article: http://www.menshealth.com/health/seafood-food-safety
That is all I ever buy. A bag of frozen shrimp is one of those staples I always have on hand.
i guess this applies to people who live far from the water... i was born and raised on the MS gulf coast and refuse to eat frozen shrimp! they dont taste the same and are tough/chewy. i guess im just spoiled...
@xtinab: yes you are.
I'm glad people are finally catching on! All of the best fishmongers around here won't even sell you anything that's not frozen for this very reason, and we're only 3 hours away from the coast.
Unless the shrimp are alive and swimming in a tank, frozen shrimp is the way to go.
Isn't this true for all fish and seafood?
xand83 makes a good point. You need to know more about your shrimp source than fresh or frozen. A lot of imported shrimp is lousy from poor acquaculture practices.
@xtinab
Thanks!
When fresh (with that I mean one or two day old and kept around 0° all the time) fresh shrimps taste way, way better! Before freezing the shrimps are briefly boiled in water and they lose much of their juice. That's the reason why they get chewy.
@xtinab it tastes rubbery becuase its overcooked, not because it was frozen.
Doesn't the sign usually say "Previously Frozen"? When I refer to FRESH shrimp it is usually still swimming around in a tank of water.
Even living near to the ocean, most shrimp you can buy was flash-frozen on the ship (and, yes, this is generally true for fish as well).
It definitely depends on your source. I also live on the MS Gulf Coast and we buy our shrimp from fishermen , straight off their boats.
xtinab - agreed! I grew up and still live near the Gulf. I will NOT eat frozen. It doesn't taste near as good.
This is not always true, as Houndstooth points out. A reputable fishmonger is not selling previously frozen shrimp as fresh. All you have to do is ask. For that matter, at least by me, it always says it on the label; there are usually two varieties in the case. One that says "previously frozen" and one that will say "fresh". Indeed the "fresh" will be substantially more expensive. Personally, I do not care for the texture or flavor of the previously frozen. It loses something in the process.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bycatch#Shrimp_trawling
Unless greatly on sale, I always buy frozen as opposed to "fresh." Sigh...oh how I miss living in Louisiana where the seafood actually WAS fresh at the counter...and way cheaper!