A few words about white shrimp
Belonging to the panda shrimp family, Vannamei shrimp originates from the eastern Pacific region. This is a type of seafood that is caught regularly and is chosen as an ingredient to prepare meals.
This type of shrimp is quite small in size and has two characteristic colors: yellow or blue, but quite pale. The shrimp body has 6 segments and the legs are ivory white or opaque white. The shrimp shell is quite thin, slightly opaque, so you can see the shrimp meat and shrimp veins. Although the shell is quite thin, it still protects the shrimp body firmly.
White shrimp lives at a depth of about 70m, concentrated in salt water areas.
White shrimp often lives in salt water areas, with depths ranging up to 70 meters, temperatures ranging from 26 to 28 degrees Celsius. This type of shrimp is considered highly adaptable to the environment. Growth and resistance are better than other types of shrimp.
In addition to bringing high nutritional value, chewy meat, sweet flavor, etc. In addition, with a variety of processing methods, white-leg shrimp is loved by many customers. This helps white-leg shrimp become a seafood species with high economic value.
Vannamei shrimp are raised in many localities in brackish water and coastal saltwater ponds, bringing extremely high export value. To identify types of white shrimp based on color, there are 3 common types. These are: White-legged shrimp, silver-legged shrimp, and red-tailed shrimp. Currently, in Vietnam, white-leg shrimp is widely farmed in the southern provinces.
Some popular types of white shrimp
There are many types of white shrimp, each type will have different characteristics. From living environment to nutrition. Some of the most popular types of white shrimp today.
White-leg shrimp
Silver shrimp has the English name Banana Prawn, or is called by different names silver-veined shrimp or silver shrimp. The body of silver white shrimp is usually opaque white or translucent. This is also the reason why this type of shrimp is called white-leg shrimp.
The shrimp's legs are light green, with purple-red fur on the edges. In Vietnam, this species is widely raised in the South Central region, Southwest region, or in rivers such as: Ong Lon, Ong Trang, Xeo Nhau, Bay Hap,...
White leg shrimp
White leg shrimp is considered the most popular type of shrimp. They have such a special name because their legs have an opaque white color. Native to the eastern Pacific region.
This type of shrimp lives in salt water, at a depth of about 70m. When they are young, they will live in estuaries or near the shore. When they are adults, they will move to the sea.
This type of shrimp has high growth and resistance levels. Although adapted to salt water conditions. But because they have high economic value, they are raised in brackish water areas. In particular, white-legged shrimp can also live in freshwater environments, with salinity at the bottom of the water.
Red tail shrimp
Also known by another name as Indian Cardboard. The English name is Indian White Prawn. Like white-legged shrimp, young red-tailed shrimp often live near the shore or at the sea's mouth. When they become adults, they will move to the sea. Lives at a depth of 90m, especially loves mud or sand on the seabed. A mature Indian white shrimp will be up to 22cm in length.
Distinguish between farmed white shrimp and marine white shrimp
Among the types of white-legged shrimp mentioned above, white-leg shrimp is the most widely farmed in Vietnam. That's why this type of shrimp is sold everywhere. However, due to usage needs and nutritional factors. Many people love white shrimp more.
You can distinguish between farmed white shrimp and marine white shrimp as follows:
| Sea shrimp | Farmed white shrimp | |
| Color | Due to the nature of living in the sea, the color of white-leg shrimp will be shiny, smooth and have a beautiful golden sheen. | Farmed white shrimp has a characteristic light green color. |
| Size | White-leg shrimp are slightly larger in size. An adult corm is about 22cm long. | Farmed white shrimp are smaller in size. |
| Flavor | The flavor of sea shrimp is rich, delicious, chewy and naturally sweeter than farmed shrimp. | Farmed shrimp has firm flesh, sweet and fragrant shrimp meat, and is not chewy. |
| Price | Sea shrimp is more difficult to catch, has the same size, and has more demand, so the price will be higher than farmed shrimp. | Farmed shrimp has a lower price than marine shrimp. |
Nutrition in white shrimp
White shrimp provides a large amount of Protein, Omega 3, Calcium,... and some essential nutrients that are beneficial for health. Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, iron support metabolism. In particular, Selenium and Omega 3 are two substances that have the ability to attack and prevent cancer cells.
However, it is not because of its high nutritional value that you can tolerate a lot of white shrimp for a long time. According to research by nutrition experts, on average, each person only needs to absorb 100g of shrimp per day. As for children, it should be halved, scoop 20 - 50g.
If you eat too much shrimp, it will cause the opposite reaction, nutrients will be absorbed less. In addition, there is indigestion, digestive disorders, bloating, and even diarrhea. Note, when eating, you should remove the shrimp shell!
Note, when eating, you should remove the shrimp shell! Because many customers always think that shrimp calcium is concentrated in the shell. However, this is believed to be a misconception. Because shrimp shells are very hard, they will be difficult for the stomach to digest, and they also contain harmful toxins. And whether you eat farmed shrimp or sea shrimp, you should cook the shrimp well and limit eating rare and raw dishes such as shrimp salad, shrimp with lemon, shrimp with Thai sauce, etc.
How to choose fresh white shrimp
If you are wondering which shrimp to choose for freshness, please apply some of the methods below:
- Choose to buy live, swimming shrimp. So you don't need to worry about the freshness of the shrimp.
- Based on the color of the shrimp to distinguish: Fresh shrimp is usually green or yellow, the shrimp looks very shiny, without any signs of scratches.
- When holding shrimp, pay close attention to the shrimp's neck. The shrimp head attached to the shrimp body must not be loose or lose parts. Fresh shrimp must have intact head, body, tail and legs.
- You can check if the shrimp is fresh or spoiled through the joints on the shrimp body. If you don't hold the shrimp firmly and the joints are loose, it's definitely a spoiled shrimp. But if you see that the shrimp joints are sturdy and not stretched much, it is fresh shrimp.
- Check the shrimp's elasticity. Fresh shrimp has good elasticity and is very firm when held. Not too soft nor too hard. On the contrary, with spoiled shrimp, they will be very soft, hard and have no elasticity.
- Or if you see that the shrimp does not have a characteristic color, instead it is red or black or has an unpleasant odor. Plus, shrimp secretes mucus-like substances and has a strong fishy smell, so don't buy it. Because those are shrimp that have died a long time ago and have lost all nutrients.
In short, white shrimp is a seafood loved by countless people, appearing in family dinner tables from North to South. Above is all the information about the types of white shrimp and how to choose fresh shrimp when buying.
Contact Us:
Please contact Andwind Global Co., Ltd. immediately for advice and to order high quality fresh white shrimp export products.
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