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Shrimp
(Dendrobranchiata)
the prawn It is a decapod crustacean that belongs to the suborder Dendrobranchiata. It bears a strong physical resemblance to prawns, shrimp, or shrimp, as they all belong to the Penaeoidea family.
Characteristics of prawns
This type of seafood It is widely consumed in different parts of the world and can be used in a multitude of different recipes.
Prawns are shellfish that live in shallow waters, although they can reach depths of 90 or 100 meters, they usually live around 20 meters deep.
They prefer sandy bottoms and They inhabit oceans and seas almost all over the world, However, it is commonly fished in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Like all types of crustaceans, the shrimp has a very characteristic exoskeleton. It has a curved body with a very pronounced tail, which allows it to be distinguished from other species in the same family.
Shrimp colors can vary depending on the type and sex, with orange, reddish, and brown colors, always with bands of different colors, being very common. Females, in particular, have a more yellowish color with brown lateral bands, while males have a lighter color with pink lateral bands.
The size of a prawn can range from 8 cm to 15 cm, the males being slightly larger than the females.
They have a semi-hard shell, with very large eyes and five pairs of legs, the first three of which are tiny pincers.
These shellfish They are omnivores, They feed on both algae and other smaller molluscs and crustaceans.
Fertilization of shrimp occurs in summer, when water temperatures begin to rise. Both fertilization and spawning occur in the water, where the female releases her eggs into the sea.
The shrimp is a type of crustacean Highly appreciated in gastronomy, its flavor is delicious and its flesh tender. It also has excellent nutritional properties. At first glance, they may look similar to shrimp, however, it is important to know the differences between shrimp and prawn so as not to confuse them.
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If you know what shrimp is, you will know that there are different types of these crustaceans.
Shrimp are found in different waters around the world, and each area has a different type of shrimp.
Some types of shrimp that can be found are:
- Pink prawn: It is a common prawn in the European area and is named for its pale pink color and similarly colored lateral bands.
- White shrimp: It is whitish in color and has a very compact appearance, with its body curled sharply inward. It is commonly known as the Pacific white shrimp.
- Banana prawn: It is a pale-colored shrimp that lives mainly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
- Tiger prawn: This is a variety native to the coast of Japan that has been bred in southern Spain for several years. It is easily recognized by its tabby appearance and brown stripes.
- Mediterranean Prawn: They are shrimps with yellowish, greenish, or brown hues. They are found in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Nutritional values
Prawns are a very tasty food, with delicate flesh and are purchased in large quantities.
In addition, its nutritional values are ideal for a balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Shrimp has a high cholesterol level, so it is not usually recommended in diets for people with high cholesterol.
Now,We provide you with a table with the nutritional properties of prawns., taking into account that of every 100 grams of fresh shrimp, the edible portion is about 50 grams:
Nutritional value | per 100 gr |
Energy (Kcal) | 93 |
Proteins (g) | 20,1 |
Total lipids (g) | 1,4 |
Saturated FA (g) | 0,22 |
Monounsaturated fatty acids (g) | 0,3 |
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (g) | 0,45 |
Cholesterol (mg/1000 kcal) | 200 |
Carbohydrates (g) | 0 |
Fiber (g) | 0 |
Water (g) | 78,5 |
Calcium (mg) | 220 |
Iron (mg) | 1,9 |
Iodine (µg) | 90 |
Magnesium (mg) | 76 |
Zinc (mg) | 3,6 |
Sodium (mg) | 146 |
Potassium (mg) | 266 |
Phosphorus (mg) | 259 |
Selenium (µg) | 24,3 |
Thiamine (mg) | 0,05 |
Riboflavin (mg) | 0,04 |
Niacin equivalents (mg) | 7,4 |
Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0,1 |
Folates (µg) | 2 |
Vitamin B12 (µg) | 1 |
Vitamin C (mg) | Tr |
Vitamin A: Eq. Retinol (µg) | 9 |
Vitamin D (µg) | Tr |
Vitamin E (mg) | 1,5 |
Habitat
Prawns live at shallow depths in sandy and muddy bottoms in almost all the world's seas. However, they are mostly found in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
A shrimp can go down to a depth of 100 meters, but normally They usually live between 15 and 25 meters deep.
There is a greater appreciation for the varieties of shrimp that inhabit river mouth areas.
In recent years, shrimp farming in mangrove areas has increased, leading to an increase in supply. Due to this increased supply, shrimp prices have progressively dropped.
Season and Fishing Gear
Shrimp fishing season
The shrimp fishing season usually goes from May to November although it depends on the capture area and the type of shrimp.
In the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, it is caught in the summer and early autumn months.
It is an abundant species, so these months are sufficient to supply the demand for shrimp for almost the entire year.
The time when shrimp is most scarce is in December due to the Christmas holidays, when it is an essential food on the table.
How to fish for prawns
Medium-sized fishing boats are used to catch shrimp, using traps, pots, or fishing nets.
These are some types of trawls ideal for catching shrimp:
- In the background the couple
- Summer
- Twins with doors
In general, they are net traps that drag the sandy bottom where the shrimp are usually hidden and buried.
Artisanal and manual shrimp fishing is not practiced.
Recipes with Prawns
Prawns are a versatile product, easy to cook with the right guidelines and ideal for integrating with other ingredients. Its delicious flavor makes it an ideal addition to any dish.
There are many recipes with prawns, from the most basic, such as cooked prawns with a dash of lemon or grilled, to seafood rice or a Shrimp Cream.
Most shrimp recipes are easy to cook, and you can use any type of shrimp, whether fresh or frozen.
At Delfín, you can find raw or cooked Mediterranean prawns, depending on how much time you have available for your recipe.
FAQ
Yes, the shrimp is a decapod crustacean. highly appreciated in gastronomy.
Among crustaceans, in addition to prawns, you can find other species such as shrimp, barnacles, and crabs.
This is the taxonomy of shrimp:
- Phylum: Arthropod
- Subphylum: Crustacean
- Class: Malacostracean
- Order: Decapod
- Suborder: Dendrobranchiata
Prawns often have no other names, but in some countries they are called prawns or shrimp. These names are inappropriate, as they can cause confusion with shellfish that are actually prawns or shrimp.
We often also refer to shrimp by the type it refers to (tiger shrimp, ivory shrimp, white shrimp...).
