Shrimp

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Shrimp are small and cute seafood that are a favorite of many of us. In fact, these crustaceans are perhaps the most famous seafood.

The hard, translucent flesh of raw shrimp can have a different color depending on its appearance. It can be pink, gray, brown or yellow. Once subjected to heat treatment, the flesh of these crustaceans becomes dull and creamy or pink in color.

There are about 300 different species of shrimp in the world, and these 300 have thousands of species. King prawns are the most common, and tigers, which are the most widely consumed in Asia, have recently begun to gain popularity.

People have enjoyed shrimp as food since these crustaceans appeared in the earth's waters, ie. from time immemorial.

There are shrimps almost all over the world. Although many countries grow them artificially, most of the production comes from the United States, South and Central America, Japan, Thailand and Taiwan.

Composition of shrimp

Shrimp are very rich in minerals and vitamins. They contain B vitamins and do not contain any fat, but on the other hand there is a lot of protein in them. Shrimp contain large amounts of calcium, potassium, iodine and zinc. They are also very rich in vitamin E, which prevents cell aging.

100 g of shrimp contains about 0.3 g of fat, 18 g of protein and 75 kcal.

Selection and storage of shrimp

- Fresh shrimp they must have solid bodies and no traces of black spots on their shell. If you buy fresh shrimp, it's good to know that they only last about a day or two.

- If you plan to cook shrimp in the future, it is better to take them frozen. Store in the freezer for several weeks.

- The smell is a good indicator of whether the shrimp are fresh. If they are really fresh, they should have a light salt water scent.

- Whatever seafood you store, you should always be careful, as it is easily susceptible to spoilage.

Shrimp in cooking

Shrimp have a pair of antennae and four pairs of limbs and a tail through which they move along the seabed. Their main edible part is the muscles under their tail, which remain after the removal of the head, upper body, limbs and antennae.

Shrimp are considered a seafood delicacy, which is why they are more expensive. They can be consumed almost in any way - boiled, grilled, stewed, fried. Shrimp enrich the taste of many salads, combine well with rice, soups and various light appetizers. Great care must be taken not to overcook them, because their meat becomes firm and practically tasteless.

Frozen raw shrimp thaw very little - enough to thaw and put in boiling water. The finished shrimp come to the surface in about 8-10 minutes. Frozen cooked shrimp cook for up to 3 minutes. The most common way to consume shrimp is cooking them for 5 to 7 minutes and serving with Cocktail Sauce.

The taste of shrimp is perfectly complemented by garlic, olive oil and wine. Fried shrimp are also very tasty, but care must be taken not to overcook.

Benefits of shrimp

- Shrimp are good for our cardiovascular health. Only about 120 g. shrimp you will get 28.2% of the daily value of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is one of the nutrients we need to keep homocysteine levels - a molecule that has the ability to directly damage the walls of blood vessels and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease - low.

- They protect us from a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. A healthy diet, which includes at least 300 grams per week of fish rich in omega 3 (shrimp are a very good source of omega-3), improves the electrical properties of heart cells, protecting us from fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

- They help us protect ourselves and control high blood pressure. People who eat more foods rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (such as shrimp) have lower blood pressure.

- Thanks to the presence of selenium and omega-3 fatty acids protect us from cancer. Shrimp are a very rich source of selenium and only about 12 grams give us 64.2% of the daily value of this micromineral.

- They protect us from Alzheimer's and other age-related diseases. A number of studies have shown that the consumption of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), helps against Alzheimer's disease, which is becoming increasingly common in the population. So if you want to keep your sanity, eat cold-water fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, at least 3 times a week.

- A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids improves mood and protects us from depression. To protect yourself from depression and lift your spirits, eat a handful of hazelnuts a day and at least three times a week a portion of cold-water fish (such as shrimp).

Shrimp damage

Although allergic reactions can be caused by almost any type of food, it is known that some foods are associated with more allergies than others. About 90% of food allergies are associated with 8 types of food: tree nuts, fish, crustaceans (including shrimp), cow 's milk, hen' s eggs, soy products, peanuts and wheat.

Shrimp are also among the few foods that contain purines - natural substances found in plants, animals and the human body. For this reason, people with purine problems should also avoid consuming larger amounts of shrimp.