For those who enjoy seafood, prawns and prawns are two of their favorite food varieties. As a foodie, you have probably already experimented with various iterations of these recipes. These two unquestionably belong to the most popular seafood varieties consumed worldwide. However, did you know there are various varieties of prawns and prawns worldwide?
What distinguishes prawns from shrimps?
Frozen prawns and shrimps are two of the most well-known seafood dishes worldwide. The names of the two dishes are also used interchangeably in a few different countries! It’s a fact that they differ significantly from one another from a scientific standpoint.
Firstly, prawns and shrimps are members of the scientific order known as “decapods.” This indicates that each species has ten legs. The difference between them is that they both originate from distinct decapod suborders. Bewildered? Simply put, prawns are members of the pleocyemata suborder, including other seafood species like crabs and lobsters. Conversely, prawns are a member of the dendrobranchiate suborder.
So how can we tell them apart from each other? The first and most crucial distinction is to look at their body types. Shrimps have a sharp bend in their bodies, while prawns are not completely bent. Additionally, prawns and shrimps have very different leg morphologies. Prawns have three pairs of longer, claw-like legs, while shrimp only have one.
Distinct Varieties Of Prawn And Shrimp
Various kinds, varieties and kinds of prawns and shrimps:
Now that we know their differences let’s examine the various varieties of prawns and shrimps. Let’s get started!
Nine Well-liked Types of Prawns to Consume:
The best varieties of prawns to eat are as follows:
1. Pink Prawns
One of the most widely consumed varieties of prawns worldwide is the pink variety. These varieties pair well with sauces and are best used sparingly when preparing appetizers. They taste slightly sweet, are incredibly healthy, and extremely tender. They have a very high protein content and a very low fat profile. Because of their small size, pink prawns are often used in salads, fried appetizers, omelets, and garnishes.
2. Brown Prawns
As their name implies, the brown prawns are initially grey-toned and brownish, but after cooking, they take on their typical pink hue. These prawns are ideal for making broth, fried rice, and dumplings, often used in fermented dishes. They are only found in particular areas and nations, typically six inches long. Compared to other varieties, their flavor is heavily mineral-based.
3.Tiger Prawns
Everybody has heard of tiger prawns. They enjoy great popularity in both domestic and foreign markets. The texture of the tiger prawns is chewy and sweet, and they are substantial. They generally range in size from 10 to 11 inches and are among the biggest and most prominent species of prawns. Tiger prawns are an excellent option for main dishes and are highly popular, particularly in Asian countries.
4. White Prawns
Once more, these are some of the most widely used varieties of prawns; they are widely available and easy to find. They taste slightly sweet and are extremely crunchy. The white prawns are about six inches long, and when they cook, they take on a white and yellowish tone. Fries, pasta, and salads are everyday recipes that use these prawns.
5.Rock Prawns
Among this variety’s largest species are the rock prawns. This variety gets its name because of its tough, nearly indestructible shells! Because of their size, many people frequently mistake them for lobsters. Despite their size, the rock prawns have a flavor similar to the other varieties and are highly chewy and crunchy. Because of their versatility, rock prawns can be baked, fried, steamed, boiled, or grilled. Fries, curries, Italian pasta and risotto are among the most well-liked menu items here.
6. Spot Prawns
As their name implies, the spot prawns have an incredibly soft texture that usually melts in the mouth without chewing. They are, therefore, simple to eat and process. This type of prawn is excellent as an appetizer with sauces because of its sweet flavor. Their length ranges from seven to eight inches.
7. Giant River Prawns
If you’re from South Asia, you might be familiar with this type. The enormous blue river prawns are called giant river prawns. They typically have a rich, sweet flavor and a delicate appearance. The meat has a white color. Soups and spicy South Asian curries are popular dishes made with giant river prawns.
8. Glass Prawns
Glass prawns have a pink hue and black dots around their head and legs. Their name comes from how soft and tender their shell is. Glass prawns cook to a soft texture, making them the ideal ingredient for fried and boiling recipes. Compared to the other species, they are typically less sweet and have a chewy texture.
9. Banana Prawns
The banana prawns have a yellow body and cream-colored legs speckled with brown. They got their name because of how much they resemble bananas. These prawn varieties are lovely and well-known in the vicinity of the Australian continent. They are smaller, with an average size of up to 5 inches.
Seven Various Species of Shrimp
Now, let’s examine every kind and species of Shrimps most suitable for human consumption.
1. The pink shrimps
Among the well-known shrimp varieties that can be consumed is the pink shrimp. The name alone may have given it away, but these shrimp varieties have pink flesh that turns white when cooked. Because of their smaller size, they are an excellent option for making salads. The flavor of the pink shrimp is a little bit sweet.
2. Brown Shrimps
The brown prawns have a shell with a color that leans towards red. Nevertheless, while they cook, they become pink. The flavor of these shrimps varies, though, ranging from a sweetish flavor to a crunchy, salty flavor. This is because brown shrimps have a more robust mineral flavor due to their higher iodine content. As a result, boiling or steaming brown prawns makes them ideal for eating as simple food.
3. White Prawns
Among the prawn species with the sweetest flavors are the white shrimps, which cook to a whitish hue. They have a firm texture, are nuttier and chewier, and measure about eight inches long. This prawn variety demonstrates its versatility by being ideal for baking, cooking, frying, or even steaming. For many chefs, they are the most popular kind of prawns!
4. The Rock Shrimps
The rugged, hard-to-break shells of rock shrimps give rise to their name. Compared to other prawn species, these have a similar sweet flavor but a substantial and complex texture. Their tastes also tend to be similar to those of lobster. They are ideal for people searching for healthier options because they are high in protein.
5. Tiger Shrimps
Due to the tiger stripes on their bodies, these shrimps are very simple to identify. When compared to other prawns, their flavor is extremely subtle. They are dense and substantial, though. These varieties, which can reach 12 inches, are ideal for boiling, steaming, and grilling because of their length. Like the prawn variety, tiger prawns are well-known in the countries surrounding Asia and Africa. The top three producers of tiger shrimp are Vietnam, Thailand, and India. These are some of the most significant pieces of prawns.
6. Spot Shrimps
You have to try this kind of prawns if you like your prawns to be very clean, juicy and soft. The spot shrimps have a striking resemblance to lobsters. They are ideal for people who enjoy cooked or deep-fried prawns because of their lovely flavor. Their length is usually around 12 inches, and because of their softer feel and texture, they are straightforward to cook.
7. Royal Red Shrimps:
Compared to other prawn varieties, these are less well-known. The name suggests that the royal red shrimps are firm and have a deep, bright red color. They taste just like lobster and have a deep, sweet flavor. They taste fantastic when steamed or boiled. These royal red shrimps can quickly become overdone due to their delicate cooking style.
Summary
Hope you enjoyed learning about the most widely consumed varieties of prawns and prawns. They are, without a doubt, some of the world’s tastiest, and any foodie would love them.
