When choosing shrimp, many people don't know whether to select "straight shrimp" or "curved shrimp." In reality, these two types of shrimp have significant differences.
There is indeed a big difference between "straight shrimp" and "curved shrimp." If you don't know how to choose, it's easy to end up with dead shrimp from the freezer, which not only have inferior meat quality but also a strong fishy smell that can't be masked, resulting in poor taste and quality!
When we go to the supermarket or vegetable market to choose shrimp, we should prioritize buying curved shrimp. There is a reason for this: when shrimp die, their muscles become quite loose, and no matter how much you twist them, they retain their shape.
On the other hand, live shrimp typically have a naturally curved body when stimulated by low temperatures. Therefore, when chilled or freshly processed, they maintain their curved shape.
When buying shrimp, not only should you pay attention to their curvature, but you should also consider three other points to avoid purchasing shrimp that have been stored for too long.
There are two types of shrimp to watch out for when shopping:
Type 1: Shrimp with missing heads and tails
You can easily identify this type by checking their heads and tails. If you notice that the shrimp are clearly missing their heads or tails, this indicates that they have been stored for too long.
Shrimp heads usually start to rot and become mushy, making this type of shrimp a poor choice. The meat will have a fishy taste after cooking and won't be as fresh as new shrimp.
Type 2: Shrimp with red shells
Some shrimp may have shells that turn red due to high temperatures during transportation. Red-shelled shrimp often indicate that they have aged, and the meat of these shrimp won't retain its good flavor. When selecting shrimp, opt for those with clean shells and no signs of discoloration.
Type 3: Shrimp with overly soft meat
If the shrimp meat lacks elasticity and is instead mushy, this indicates that the tails might have started to rot. Shrimp in this condition will have soft meat and a stronger foul odor compared to normal shrimp. The heads and tails may also separate more easily, and when cooked, these shrimp will produce an unpleasant fishy taste. To ensure quality, it's best to avoid this type of shrimp.
Cooking shrimp also requires proper technique. When boiling shrimp, use boiling water and add Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and beer to the water. These ingredients will help eliminate the fishy smell completely. To maintain the freshness of the shrimp meat, consume it on the same day it is cooked. If kept for too long, the shrimp meat can become old and dry, losing its initial freshness.
When buying shrimp, make sure to choose those with a curved shape, as curved shrimp are usually the freshest. Regardless of how you prepare them, this type of shrimp will provide the softest and freshest taste.