Our article will not only help you learn how to determine the size of shrimp, but also tell you about these unusual creatures. Today, shrimp is common throughout the world. These marine inhabitants have also mastered many fresh water bodies, but even this was not enough for lovers of their valuable and tasty meat. And therefore shrimp is also artificially grown on farms. There are a huge number of species that differ from each other in taste, color, composition, size.
Some breeds were bred artificially, but not for subsequent consumption, but for the sake of aesthetic pleasure. Aquarium shrimp are also of different sizes: large and small. Anyone who loves a magical underwater world can populate the aquarium with such inhabitants that he likes.
You will learn from our article many useful things for anyone interested in shrimp: sizes, photos, color, culinary value and many other interesting facts about these animals.
Features
Shrimp belong to the class of Higher Crayfish. The closest relatives of these arthropods are crabs, crayfish, wood lice and amphipods.
As you can guess by the name of the squad (Decapod Cancer), shrimp have 5 pairs of legs. Almost all representatives of the infraorder have a couple more whiskers.
The body of the shrimp is segmented, the tail is bent to the abdomen. Sexual demorphism is practically not expressed, but in most species the male is colored a little more intensely than the female. But during the breeding season, you can quickly determine the female individual by the presence of eggs laying, which is stored on the abdomen between the legs.
Experts count a huge number of species of shrimp. The size of their representatives varies from 2 to 30 centimeters.
Shrimp and their importance in cooking
It is difficult to list all the people in the world who consider shrimp to be a national product. They are loved by Italians and French, Spaniards and Greeks, residents of South America, Australia, Oceania, the Far East and many other regions in which this arthropod lives. Some world cuisines are simply impossible to imagine without shrimp dishes: boiled, grilled, smoked, pickled, fried with hot spices.
Shrimps are served in inexpensive bars and in luxurious restaurants. The price tag for dishes with them varies in a huge range. Fortunately, in order to taste this delicacy, it is not necessary to go to a restaurant; you can cook them at home.
Once upon a time, residents of many regions remote from the seas and oceans could only dream of such foods and enjoy them only on trips. But these days, many species are quite affordable. You can easily find shrimp in any supermarket. 90 size is considered the most common. But what does this figure mean? Now we will figure it out.
What is a caliber?
Surely you came across a similar labeling when choosing products. The word "caliber" can be read not only on the packaging of shrimp, but also on a jar of olives, olives and other delicacies. Of course, we are talking about size. Caliber indicates the size of the shrimp.
What does the number mean? The answer to this question is easy to remember. We are talking about the number of individuals per kilogram. The conclusion follows that the smaller the number, the larger the shrimp. Each caliber is good in its own way and is suitable for different dishes.
Small shrimp
In many countries of the world such a trifle is not particularly popular. But the size of the shrimp 90/120 has several advantages. The main advantage of small caliber, as you might guess, is the price.
Small shrimps are great for adding to salads, cocktails, sauces. You can decorate with them toasts, canapes, flounces, pizza, sandwiches. And with shrimp caliber 90/120, you can cook soup.
The color of most varieties varies from pale pink to rich peach. The taste of small shrimp is usually pronounced.
There is an even smaller caliber of shrimp. Surely everyone who has ever been to Odessa has tried or at least seen an unusual delicacy that locals call crustacean. This species is found in the coastal zone of the Black Sea, and only gauze and a bucket are required for fishing. In most countries of the world, similar varieties are used only in the preparation of feed for animals and commercial fish, but every Odessa citizen considers the crustacean fist to be one of the symbols of South Palmyra. This trifle is prepared quite simply - boiled in salted boiling water.
Medium Shrimp
Shrimp size 70/90 is often chosen by those who are going to cook pasta or pilaf. This category is also relatively affordable.
As we already know, this label indicates the number of shrimp. In one kilogram there can be 72, and 79, and 85.
Shrimps of this size are most often caught in the Atlantic Ocean.
Large and extra large
Many people mistakenly believe that the larger the shrimp, the tastier and more expensive it is. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception in the hands of unscrupulous sellers who diligently cultivate it. In order not to get into trouble, it is worth exploring this issue in more detail.
You probably know a name like king prawns. Their dimensions are large, as are the prices of dishes with such an ingredient. But is the excitement justified? In fact, the name "king prawns" is not related to science. This kind simply does not exist. With these beautiful words, sellers and cooks call completely different varieties of shrimp in order to sell them more expensive. Often even not very tasty breeds grown on farms are called royal. To obtain large samples, not the most useful components that provoke growth are added to the feed. True connoisseurs are unlikely to encroach on this dubious product.
Another thing is the ocean giants. The maximum size of tiger shrimps can reach 30 centimeters. Their caliber is 2-3 individuals per kilo. This species is easy to recognize, because the dark transverse stripes fully justify the name. Unfortunately, in our time it is also possible to run into a fake, because these shrimps also learned to breed artificially, so it is important to know how to choose a quality product.
What is cocktail shrimp?
It should be understood that when it comes to caliber, we mean a whole shrimp, with a shell, legs and a head. But along with unpeeled, there are also so-called cocktail shrimps on sale. This term means that the product is completely cleaned, and sometimes even boiled before freezing.
Of course, if you clear a kilogram of shrimp caliber 90, then the weight of the carcasses will be much less than a kilogram. The difference can reach 40-50%, that is, peeled shrimp in a kilogram will not be 90, but 170-180.
Freezing
Another way to outwit the buyer is in the technological features of freezing. Dry freezing practically does not change their structure and perfectly preserves the product. But in domestic supermarkets another category is more common - shrimp in the glaze. This “tasty” word means nothing more than ordinary water. Due to the fact that the body of the shrimp covers a layer of ice, a much smaller amount will fit in a kilogram. Remember that the size of the shrimp is increased artificially if you see the marking “in glaze” on the pack.
How to choose a shrimp
You have already guessed about many pitfalls. Our small cheat sheet will help you not to get confused at the store when choosing the best shrimp.
- Give preference to a packaged product rather than a weighted one. Packaging is more difficult to fake.
- Pay attention to the country of origin. The best shrimp are caught by Norwegian, Danish, Finnish companies. An excellent product is provided by the Japanese (although it is more expensive and less common). Russian shrimps are pretty good. But most of the shrimp from the Far East are grown in captivity.
- Pay special attention to ice. It should not be on the shrimp themselves, nor in a pack.
- Cocktail shrimps that have been steamed or boiled water have a shorter shelf life than raw ones. Look at the numbers.
Decorative meaning
Did you know that shrimp can be bred in a regular aquarium? Many breeds get along well with non-aggressive fish and other neighbors. But some prefer solitude.
If you want to have such a pet, be sure to consult a specialist who will be able to give recommendations on care, regimen, feed.
The size of shrimp for an aquarium is on average small. Most of them reach an average of 5-6 cm. But the color variety is truly huge! You can choose a blue, black, red, yellow, spotty and even completely transparent pet.
