Difference Between Prawns and Shrimps

Prawns vs. Shrimps

What recipe could an amateur not think of when it comes to shrimp and prawn? Nada. These two delightful sea foods can be cooked in so many different ways: baked, fried, sautéed, grilled, broiled or whatever. You can even eat it raw and fresh with some leafy vegetables dipped in vinaigrette. These succulent and tasty-to-be meats are also primed cuisines in five star restaurants all over the world. Expensive or not, shrimp and prawn are both certified public choices.

While these two are highly enjoyed and appreciated, people have actually forgotten over time that shrimps and prawns are two different meats. They may both bear some resemblance with the other but they are biologically different. However, this misconception could trace the fault with how different countries refer shrimp as prawn and vice versa. For example, US refer to prawns as shrimps and the UK refer to shrimps as prawns. But there’s nothing to be confused in there. It should be straightened out because shrimp and prawns are really different. The taste of shrimp meat can even be distinguished from prawn meat. Shrimps and prawns can be distinguished in so many different ways whether in kitchen terms or scientific terms. To those who still think prawns and shrimps are one and the same, you’re in for a big surprise. Here’s how.

Did you know that prawns are slightly bigger than shrimps? That’s a fact. Prawns have longer legs compared to shrimps’ too. Prawns are scientifically defined as decapods crustaceans that fell into the sub-order Dendrobranchiata. Physically, prawns have lamellar gill; they are transparent, thus revealing its internal organs; they walk using their three hind legs and use their pincers and the other front two pairs for eating; and, finally, prawn’s second pair of pincers are larger than its first pair. Other distinguishable prawn characteristic is that its females lay eggs on currents where the eggs grow independently, and that they often thrive on salt waters but go to fresh waters to spawn.

Other than that, prawn meats are considered as more succulent and sweet than that of shrimp meat. Prawns are also rich in calcium, vitamin E, and antioxidants such as selenium. It is also a rich source of polyunsaturated fats that are good as anti-inflammatory agent that prevent cartilage erosion. Moreover, prawns are also rich in Omega 3, which is really good for the heart and have some anti-Cancer properties.

Shrimps, on the other hand, are swimming decapods crustaceans that are classified under Pleocyemata. Shrimp0s are found on salt waters and fresh waters and are smaller in size. Shrimp, like prawns, are one of the favorite meats in the food industry. Shrimps cover 25% of all sold seafood in the US. It is, yes, a best seller among the other seafood. Shrimp characteristics include looking after its eggs until it hatches; sandy colored or usually pigmented; and sweet tasty if dwelt on fresh waters than on salty waters. Shrimp meats are rich source of protein, Vitamin D, zinc, iodine, potassium, and many more. Not only that, even though shrimps are found to have high cholesterol level, it has very low level of saturated fats, which, essentially, makes it a good food for someone who’s on a diet.

SUMARRY:

Prawns and Shrimps are favored foods but prawns have sweeter taste of meat while shrimps are considered best- selling.

Prawns are generally larger than shrimps.

Both prawns and shrimps turn into females to lay eggs later on in their lives. But shrimps look after their eggs while prawns leave its eggs on the water current.

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