If you’re a seafood lover, you may have asked yourself this question more than once: What exactly is the difference between shrimp and prawns? What about a cop? What are shrimps like? They are all crustaceans but existing differences can be easily appreciated when the appropriate keys are used.

To clarify how they are different, the first thing is to understand how they are similar. Prawns, prawns, and prawns are decapod crustaceans; The latter’s name is taken from one of their greatest features: they have ten legs, a feature they share with other popular creatures on the table, such as crabs.

There are also some divisions within this larger group, including subgroups or families. For example, shrimps are labeled as follows: Dendrobanchiata and shrimp pleosemata. Taxonomy aside, it is possible to distinguish them from each other.

What is shrimp?

Shrimp (Palaemon serratus)

We start with the “little brother” of the group. Prawn (palaemon serratus) are small crustaceans between three and six centimeters long, with a compressed body, long tail, and a long, toothed triangular head. Under the tag we can find different types, for example Palaemon adspersusKnown as “Baltic shrimp” and “pond shrimp” palaemon elegans.

It’s not weird shrimp and shrimp are used synonymously, but there are those who explain that the latter is the name of the latter. CrangonCrangon, is considered lower quality. They are usually smaller and have a bluish-gray hue. However, as Ictioterm shows, it is also possible for the name to change or be used for several species depending on the region we are in. There are ports where the words “shrimp”, “shrimp” or “budgie” are used. Plesionica edwardsii.

As Pescaderías Coruñesas recalls, the taste of its meat makes the native shrimp one of the best-selling seafood in Galician markets, reaching over 100 euros per kilo during peak demand such as Christmas. Prawns are also highly appreciated in the traditional gastronomy of other parts of Spain. For example, shrimp tortillas, fried foods made with flour, are popular in Cádiz.

What is shrimp?

White shrimp.

Although there are several species, shrimps are slightly larger. There are white ones (Parapenaeus longirostrisAccording to the catalog of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, they are fish whose size varies between 8 and 14 cm and attracts attention with their pinkish and whitish color. There is also red shrimp (Aristeus antentus), their length varies between 10 and 18 cm, again according to the Ziraat page. In this case, the tone is red or pink.

“Shrimp is one of the most commercialized, demanded and appreciated seafood in our country and in the world. In general, there are many related species on the market that can be confused with each other; low value They can even be fraudulently sold for other species of higher quality and thus achieve a greater economic benefit,” says Ecologistas en Acción.

If we talk about flavors and textures, there are differences too. It is generally thought that red shrimp is saltier and denser, while white shrimp is slightly more tender. The former is usually fleshier and larger in size than the latter. Another noticeable difference is the price. Although both are considered pieces of “very high” commercial importance and require a reasonable outlay, red shrimp are generally more expensive. Both are suitable for a wide variety of dishes: grilled, pasta, garlic, tempura, tartare, skewers, paella, rice, tacos…

What is shrimp?

Shrimps.

Shrimps are also decapod crustaceans, but their size usually varies between 12 and 15 cm and their weight is between 10 and 200 grams, and are distinguished by, among other things, the cephalothorax, which is the junction of the head and thorax.

You can see a inside spine shaped spine and was crushed. Various species come under the name shrimp: for example, Penaeus kerathurusbut there are other shrimps of commercial interest, such as the giant tiger shrimp, Japanese tiger, eastern tiger, jumbo shrimp, or “white shrimps” that have uniform colors without bands or stripes.

Shrimps differ from their “cousins” not only in shape. They do this in another aspect that is just as important, if not more important, in gastronomy: flavor and texture. Theirs are sweet, more tender than, say, shrimp, and have tender flesh that cooks quickly, as Compesca recalls, making them a popular choice grilled, baked, or accompanying rice and tempura. As with shrimp, they offer the cook significant versatility.

Their price range is also kinds: It is possible to find it for 50 Euros per kilo, 20, 10… It all depends on the origin of the shrimp, its type and how it is processed and presented. For example a box vannamei shrimp frozen than another Sanlúcar tiger shrimp.

What is shrimp?

Shrimp tapas.

“Unlike shrimps and prawns, prawns quite big size and offers a more imposing appearance. These crustaceans belong to the family Nephropidae They are generally more expensive than Compesca due to their size and distinctive flavour. Its features include a solid body, thick and strong shell and substance.

“Flavor-wise, prawns have firmer flesh and a more intense flavor compared to prawns and prawns,” he explains. Shrimps reach 30 cm in length, but the most common in grocery stores are slightly smaller, ranging from 10 to 20 cm. It also attracts attention with its intense reddish color. There are those who point out that it offers different species under the name of shrimp.

Like shrimp or prawns, shrimp stands out for its culinary versatility. For example, you can find it grilled or broiled in soups and stews. Its flesh is tender, with a salty touch and a juicy texture, but firmer and thicker than shrimp. There are two other important differences regarding the latter. First is flavor: shrimp has a stronger, saltier and more intense point than its smaller “cousins”. The second is about this price: They are generally more expensive than shrimp, although their cost varies depending on factors such as region or season.

What are carabiners?

Carabiners.

Pescaderías Coruñesas states in its online catalog that the carabiners travel between 20 and 40 cm and are distinguished by their intense reddish color with a dark and uniform hue. “It is similar to prawns and prawns, but larger,” the Galician company says, before noting that its flavor is “strong, almost aggressive” compared to other similar species. The Fisheries and Agriculture catalog itself describes it as follows: “a big shrimp”.

To understand the differences with the previous ones, especially regarding the name, it is useful to consult the CSIC-supported terminological database on fishing species of the Andalusian coast.

we find in Penaeus indicus, known as “gambón” in almost all registered ports; And Plesiopenaeus edwardisanuscalled most ports Although it is called “carabinero”, many people also call it by other names such as “gambón” or “chorizo” or “shiny”.

In addition to their size and appearance, which sometimes leads them to be confused with Moorish shrimp, carabineros are often distinguished by their strong, “almost aggressive” flavor, which for some is accentuated when compared to shrimp or prawns. Although it can be prepared grilled, it is also suitable for soups, cream and rice dishes.

The repertoire of dishes that can be prepared with them is wide: tagliatellarice, baked, salmorejo, grilled, salads… “The worst option, of course, is to eat it cooked like shrimp or prawns,” says journalist and foodie Francisco J. Gil. Area. But incorporating it into our menus doesn’t come cheap. Its gastronomic potential and scarcity explain why it is not a cheap option. Considering that their weight can vary between 100 and 200 grams, with specimens reaching up to 400 grams, only a small number of units will come out of a kilo.

Pictures | Blackieshoot (Unsplash), José Antonio Gil Martínez (Flickr), Wikipedia (Calapito), Hermenpaca (Flickr), Wikipedia (Xemenendura) and Javier Lastras (Flickr)

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