Why You Should Buy Shrimp With Their Heads Removed

There are many kinds of sea foods that we enjoy like fish, crustaceans, and shellfishes. But shrimp is the most widely eaten in the United States. It accounts for over 25% of the nation’s annual per capita of seafood consumption. That’s 4 pounds of shrimp per year for every American. However, Asian countries dominate the export of shrimp. 75% of the commercially available shrimp comes from Asia. China and Thailand produce the most shrimp annually. The love for shrimp contributes to its many health benefits and distinctive taste. But the quality of a shrimp may actually differ based on how it is cooked, prepared, or bought.  In fact, choosing the form of shrimp already comes as a factor. Here is why you should buy shrimp with their heads removed.

The shrimp’s anatomy

Shrimp can be purchased in different forms. Some markets offer shrimp in whole, completely peeled, or just the heads removed. But unless you are getting freshly harvested shrimp from a shrimp farm, always get shrimp with their heads removed.

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When you study the anatomy of a shrimp, you’ll see that its stomach or the digestive system is located just behind its head and above the gills. The digestive system contains enzymes. Like in humans, enzymes have various functions. One important objective of enzymes is to help digest the food.  

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However, these enzymes work differently when the digestive system leaks them out once the shrimp dies—they start to consume the flesh. When they do, the flesh or meat turns mushy instead of being firm to the touch.  Most of these spoiling enzymes are released from the hepatopancreas. The hepatopancreas is a gland located just in the base of the shrimp’s head. This small gland is present exclusively in mollusks and arthropods.

Conclusion

Preparing freshly caught shrimp with their heads still on help retain the natural moisture, rich flavor, and texture when cooked.

But if you are not sure when the shrimp was caught, you must remove the heads immediately to slow down the degradation of the meat. Or better yet, buy shrimp with their heads already removed.