Prawns, the star of this seafood market, are loved not only for their delicious flavor, but also for their variety of cooking methods. Whether grilled, boiled, sautéed or steamed, each method can perfectly release the tenderness and nutrition of the prawns, satisfying different food seekers. When it comes to nutrition, shrimp's high-protein and low-fat properties make it one of the top choices for a healthy diet. However, when choosing such a delicacy, you can fall into the quality trap if you are not careful, not only do you spend money unjustly, but also have health consequences.
Faced with a wide variety of prawns to choose from on the market, how can we avoid choosing inferior products that seem cheap but actually hide many problems? Some prawns, although they are labelled with attractive discounts, may actually be mishandled, which not only damages the taste of the prawns, but is more likely to pose health risks. Next, let me take you through which shrimp you should avoid at a glance when choosing to make sure you enjoy both delicious and safe eating.
Over-pumped shrimp:
When you see a shrimp in the market that is abnormally swollen and too soft to the touch, it is likely that it is an over-pumped shrimp. In order to make the shrimp look larger and heavier, merchants often inject water into the shrimp and even add illegal water retention agents. Such shrimp meat is loose, and the taste is often poor after cooking, and it lacks the due deliciousness.
Due to the large amount of water and additives in the body, the actual protein and other nutrients of this shrimp are much lower than normal. Long-term consumption may cause adverse health effects, and the taste of this shrimp is greatly reduced after cooking, and it is far less delicious than fresh shrimp.
Shrimp with abnormal skin color:
If you notice that the skin of the shrimp is dull or has unnatural spots, it may be a sign that the shrimp has started to spoil or is sick. Normal fresh shrimp should be bright in color and firm in texture.
Shrimp with unusual colors may taste strange and even pose a risk of health hazards. These cosmetic changes are caused by the deterioration of the internal tissues, which are likely to have been contaminated with bacteria, posing a serious threat to food safety.
Smelly shrimp:
Fresh shrimp should have only a light seafood flavor or be almost tasteless. If you smell a noticeable foul odor, sour or other pungent odor, it usually means that the shrimp have gone bad. Shrimp can easily develop odors if the temperature is not properly controlled during storage or transportation.
Shrimp with an off-smell smell are most likely to have been contaminated with bacteria such as salmonella, which can easily cause health problems such as food poisoning after eating. Even though high temperatures can kill some bacteria during cooking, some toxins are not completely destroyed.
Shrimp that have died:
Dead shrimp sold in an unfrozen state pose a high safety risk. Once the shrimp dies, the microorganisms in the body quickly begin the decomposition process, causing the shrimp meat to spoil rapidly.
The bacterial content of dead shrimp will increase rapidly, and it is easy to cause food poisoning after eating. Even cooking is difficult to completely eliminate its potential health risks. Therefore, in order to ensure food safety, live shrimp should be selected as much as possible.
Shrimp that have been frozen many times:
Shrimp that are repeatedly frozen can often be identified by excessive frost in appearance and loose flesh. After multiple freeze-thaw periods, the texture and taste of such shrimp will be greatly reduced.
The freeze-thaw cycle causes the flesh of the shrimp to become flaccid, losing its firmness and elasticity, and more bacteria may grow in the process. This type of shrimp not only tastes bad, but may also pose a food safety hazard. For health reasons, try to buy shrimp that are fresh or frozen at once.
Choosing fresh, high-quality shrimp is essential to ensure that the food is delicious and healthy and safe. Fresh shrimp is not only delicious, but its flesh is firm and rich in nutrients, providing the body with high-quality protein and important trace elements. Choosing poor-quality or improperly handled shrimp can lead to health problems such as food poisoning, which can affect the health of you and your family.
When buying shrimp, be sure to check its appearance and smell and choose live shrimp that are active, have a smooth body surface, and have no odor. Avoid buying shrimp that are dull-colored, smelly, or dead. In addition, the ideal shrimp should have a clear seawater flavor, the meat is firm, and there is no excessive frost or frost marks.
By carefully selecting the shrimp, you can not only enjoy the deliciousness of the shrimp, but also avoid buying low-quality products due to greed for cheapness, so as to ensure that every meal is safe, healthy and delicious. Remember, quality ingredients are the first step to cooking great food.