Category: Blog

Shrimp, with their delectable taste and versatility in cuisines worldwide, are among the most beloved seafood delicacies. In recent years, the demand for organic shrimp has surged as consumers become increasingly conscious of the environmental and health impacts of their food choices. From sustainability practices to nutritional benefits, organic shrimp offer a plethora of advantages. Let’s explore ten fascinating facts about organic shrimp that highlight their significance in the culinary and environmental spheres.

1. Organic Certification: Organic shrimp are cultivated in accordance with strict organic standards set by certifying bodies such as the USDA Organic or the European Union Organic Certification. These standards ensure that shrimp farms adhere to environmentally sustainable practices, including organic feed, habitat preservation, and prohibition of synthetic chemicals and antibiotics.

2. Sustainable Farming Practices: Organic shrimp farming emphasizes sustainability by minimizing environmental impact and promoting biodiversity. Unlike conventional shrimp farms that rely on intensive monoculture practices, organic shrimp farms incorporate ecosystem-based approaches, such as mangrove conservation and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), to reduce waste and maintain ecological balance.

3. Reduced Chemical Inputs: Organic shrimp farming prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, organic shrimp are raised using natural and organic feed, free from pesticides, herbicides, and artificial additives. This ensures that consumers enjoy a cleaner and healthier seafood product devoid of harmful residues.

4. Healthier Nutritional Profile: Organic shrimp are prized for their superior nutritional profile compared to conventionally farmed counterparts. Rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals, organic shrimp offer a nutrient-dense addition to a balanced diet. Additionally, their organic feed ensures that they are free from contaminants and additives commonly found in conventional feed.

5. Reduced Environmental Impact: Organic shrimp farming practices prioritize environmental sustainability by minimizing pollution and habitat destruction. By avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals and antibiotics, organic shrimp farms help preserve water quality, protect sensitive ecosystems, and mitigate the risk of harmful algal blooms and disease outbreaks.

6. Traceability and Transparency: Organic shrimp undergo rigorous traceability measures, from hatchery to harvest, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. Certified organic labels provide consumers with confidence in the authenticity and integrity of the product, guaranteeing that it meets stringent organic standards.

7. Habitat Conservation: Organic shrimp farms often incorporate mangrove conservation initiatives into their operations, recognizing the vital role that mangrove ecosystems play in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. By preserving mangrove habitats, organic shrimp farms contribute to the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems.

8. Social Responsibility: Many organic shrimp farms prioritize social responsibility by adhering to fair labor practices, ensuring safe working conditions, and supporting local communities. By investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development, organic shrimp farms foster sustainable livelihoods and promote social equity among workers and neighboring communities.

9. Global Demand: The global demand for organic shrimp is on the rise, driven by increasing consumer awareness of health and environmental issues, as well as a growing preference for sustainably sourced seafood. Major markets for organic shrimp include North America, Europe, and Asia, where discerning consumers seek out high-quality, responsibly sourced seafood options.

10. Culinary Versatility: Organic shrimp are prized by chefs and home cooks alike for their exceptional flavor, texture, and versatility in culinary applications. Whether grilled, sautéed, boiled, or incorporated into stir-fries, salads, or pasta dishes, organic shrimp add a delicious and nutritious touch to a wide range of recipes, making them a beloved ingredient in cuisines around the world.

Organic shrimp offer a compelling array of benefits, from sustainable farming practices and superior nutritional quality to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. As consumers increasingly prioritize health, sustainability, and ethical sourcing in their food choices, organic shrimp stand out as a premium seafood option that embodies these values. Whether enjoyed as a gourmet delicacy or a wholesome everyday meal, organic shrimp are sure to delight taste buds and conscience alike.

Many people are starting to raise shrimp because they want to eat better food for less money. Mostly they want to cash in on the the huge profits in selling freshwater shrimp directly to consumers.

These are the important points:

• You need something to raise them in.

Although some farmers raise their shrimp in ponds, you can use anything that gets the depth you need. You can use tanks and even swimming pools.

I first started looking into freshwater shrimp farming when I found an old hot tub had been left on my property and I was trying to find a use for it.

• You need somewhere to put the pond, tank or pool.

Obviously, a pond would go in a field, but your tanks or pools could go into a barn, just in your backyard, or even your basement. I read about a guy who really did raise shrimp in his condo basement in some small diameter swimming pools he set up there.

• You need to have good water.

Have your water tested, especially if you will be using runoff or captured water. If you’re filling a pool with tap water, you will need to give it time to evaporate the chlorine out and to warm up.

• You need to oxygenate the water.

The critters need to breathe. You will need to agitate the water or pump air into it. You can use a paddle like system or you can use a bubbler. You can also use a fountain type oxygenator. Try to make or buy one that uses solar power so you don’t have to worry about your power going out.

• You need to buy good quality juveniles to grow out.

There are a number of great growers out there. The Shrimp Farming Guide has a great directory for everything you will need.

• You need to feed them good food.

Even though they are bottom feeders, your result will be tastier if you feed them properly. Again, the Shrimp Farming Guide will show you where detailed information can be found.

• You need to keep other critters out.

They like to eat shrimp too and that cuts into your profits big time. Unfortunately, this means you need to keep the bass out. They love shrimp.

• Get someone to paint a sign for you.

Make a sign that you can put in your yard letting people know when you will be harvesting. Plan to have someone help your customers with parking. Believe me, you will sell out in one day.

So, my advice is to go for it – get started with your freshwater shrimp farming operation. You will never eat a more scrumptious shrimp than the one you raised yourself.

The only downside to this whole idea is your friends and family will try to convince you to have a big shrimp boil or grill and invite them over for chow and then eat up all your potential profits

Aquarists have discovered that freshwater aquarium shrimp can match the beauty of freshwater aquarium fish. They also come in different color combinations and sizes. As a hobby, they are not time-consuming and give the same joy the fish give. They have become part of one of the greatest hobbies in the world and have established a solid place within the fish community of thousands of tanks around the world. Now they are being sold at pet stores like any other type of fish.

Takashi Amano, a Japanese aquarist, introduced a shrimp variety known as the Yamato Numa Ebi in the 1980s. Also known as the “Japanese marsh shrimp” and “Amano shrimp”, they are more colorful than other freshwater aquarium shrimp. Their color combinations are light brown to reddish-brown. They can get as large as 2 inches when fully grown and prefer to eat soft algae. They are sensitive to high levels of ammonia but can tolerate high alkalinity. Coming from a temperate region, they only thrive in water temperatures ranging from 30 C and below. They are known to eat fish food if algae is not readily available.

Another popular variety is the Cherry shrimp which originated from Taiwan. The most sought-after variation of this type is the Red Cherry shrimp which was bred in Germany. They were brought to the United States in the 1990s. The Red Cherry shrimp have care requirements almost the same as the Amano shrimp. They are the same in size and eating habits. Known in the scientific circles as Neocaridina denticulata Sinensis, Cherry shrimp are non-aggressive. They are very active and spend most of the time grazing on plant leaves and the bottom of the tank for algae.

A known and somewhat popular kind is the Bee shrimps who have also become known as Bumble Bee shrimp. These small freshwater shrimp came from Hong Kong. They grow slowly and only grow to 1 inch in adulthood. Unlike the Amano shrimp and Cherry shrimp, they are not good algae eaters. They consume vegetable matter and soft mosses. In water temperatures between 22 to 25 degrees, they do very well, and a water ph of 7.5 and the water should be free of any ammonia. Bumble Bee shrimp can reproduce 12 times a year if their habitat is properly maintained. They reach adulthood in half a year and can live to almost one and a half years.

There are large, long-arm shrimp that are preferred by some aquarists but they are known to be aggressive. With their chelipeds, they can catch small fish and other small pets within the tank. The Indian whisker shrimp is one of these species. They also require bigger tanks compared to their smaller counterparts. They must be isolated from smaller shrimp and fish because they may cause disruptions in the habitat.

In caring for freshwater aquarium shrimp, it must be considered that with their size, isolating them would be a good idea. They must be kept in a separate tank because small shrimp are at risk of being eaten by freshwater fish. Avoiding ammonia is also a main consideration and it can be done by selecting a 10-gallon tank. A smaller tank can not give the water quality the shrimp need. They are more sensitive than freshwater fish to water conditions. They can be easily killed by accumulated amounts of ammonia.

For biological filtration, an air-driven sponge filter is one of the better options. Cherry shrimp and a few others like the fine grains of silica sand and the like, as the substrate for the bottom of their fish tank home. Java moss could be a great addition to the tank. It has been observed that shrimp are more active and productive having Java moss because it does not drastically compete with them in nutrients. Pellets and flakes are good for feeding shrimp but the shrimp will do better with other foods more to their liking. It is better to give them the amount they can consume in a few minutes. Putting excess food in the tank can affect water quality and may endanger the shrimp.

Water quality must be monitored constantly because the slightest changes in its condition have an immediate adverse effect on the shrimp. The water temperature must be maintained at 25ºC and a maximum of 30ºC. Always use a de-chlorinator and ammonia neutralizer to reduce the levels of chlorine and ammonia in the tank, and keep them really low to prevent any harm to your shrimp. Toxins must be eliminated from the aquarium on the weekly basis to protect the live shrimp in the tank and should be done on a weekly schedule and in stages of around 30 percent of the water per water change.

The health of the shrimp can be judged by their behavior in the water. They are healthy if they constantly move and look for food. They never hold still unless they drop their shell in the course of growing. As their new shell hardens in about two days, they stay hidden because in this condition they are vulnerable to predators, especially in a community tank. Maintaining the parameters of their habitat will ensure their health and longer life span. New and improved ways of caring for them are being discovered as more people appreciate them as part of this hobby.

There are many ways to prepare shrimp, but the one thing you want to make sure you never do is overcook the shrimp. You can grill them, sauté them, and prepare them in many other ways, but never over cook shrimp.

You now have the most important tip you can get when it comes to cooking shrimp. There are many other things you need to know about cooking and buying shrimp, however. Below you are going to find a few tips to help you purchase the right shrimp for you and you are also going to find some tips on how to cook them properly as well.

Tips for Buying Shrimp

1. The Tail Test

If you are purchasing shrimp that has been caught and cooked on board before delivered to the stores, then you can do a tail test to see how fresh it is. You will want to straighten the shrimp out under the light and see how large the gap is between the shell and the meat. The larger this gap is the worse the shrimp actually are because of either being cooked too long or held under refrigeration too long.

2. Avoid the Slime

Anytime shrimp feel slimy or sticky you want to avoid buying them. This is what happens when shrimp starts to go back and you can put your finders on the shell and move them forward and backward. Once you have done this if you have a gritty feeling between your fingers or you feel the slime or stickiness you want to put the shrimp down and walk away from it.

3. Fresh Factor

If you are trying to buy precooked shrimp you want to see a shell with a shiny clear glossy shell. This should have long feelers still intact and it should be resting on an ice bed within some type of refrigeration unit. With raw shrimp you are looking for the same type of shell with legs still intact as well. These should be displayed much in the same way. You don’t want to buy shrimp with legs that are turning black at all.

Tips for Cooking Shrimp

1. Do Not Over Cook Shrimp

This has already been mentioned, but it is worth mention about ten more times. It is the most important tip when it comes to cooking shrimp because when you over cook shrimp they will taste like bland rubber; It is actually better to undercook them a little bit and some eat them raw or nearly raw as sushi as well.

2. Thaw the Shrimp Properly

If you need to thaw your shrimp you really want to do this under refrigeration overnight, but if this is not an option you want to run cold water over the sharp to thaw them. Never set them out on your counter or table to be thawed. This is not good for the shrimp and can cause bacteria to grow within the meat. Also, once the shrimp are thawed you will never want to refreeze them. This makes them tough and can cause freezer burn as well.

3. Cook sooner rather than later

When you purchase fresh shrimp you should really cook them the same day you purchase them. This is one of the most perishable foods you can buy and if you wait too long they will go bad. Ask the store you purchase the shrimp from whether they were previously frozen or not. If they have been previously frozen, you will not want to refreeze them. When you don’t plan to cook shrimp the same day, just purchase them already frozen.

4. Always Clean Properly

Before you cook the shrimp you are going to want to clean and devein them completely. This will get rid of the parts of the shrimp that can cause a foul flavor and should not be consumed. You want to do this before you prepare your shrimp in any way you prefer. Deveining your shrimp is very important because this will get rid of the, for lack of a better word, poop trail.

5. Broiling

When you broil shrimp you will want to season or marinate them before you do so. Then, depending on the size of the shrimp, you are going to want to broil them for about four to five minutes. This will help to ensure that you don’t overcook the shrimp and end up with rubbery shrimp. These shrimp can be cooked to be put on a salad or served in a different type of dish.

6. Pan Frying

For best results with pan frying use olive oil and season the shrimp ahead of time. If you like spicy foods you can use a Cajun seasoning to add nice flavor to the shrimp. To avoid overcooking the shrimp you are going to want to pull them out after about 3 to 4 minutes of cooking. You can bread the shrimp first if you want or you can just cook them without breading if you prefer.

7. Grilling Shrimp

Always use uncooked shrimp for grilling because frozen shrimp will tend to dry out on the grill. You will want to use the largest shrimp you can find because this will help to retain more of the smoky flavor from the grill itself. It is also recommended to use a charcoal grill and skewer the shrimp with vegetables. You can season them before you actually cook them as well, and then serve them over rice.

Have fun with the recipes you are using and don’t feel like you have to follow them 100%. You want to put your own flavor into the recipe and tweak them to fit what you are after. Just make sure you purchase good shrimp and don’t ever overcook them or you will be very disappointed with the way your dish turns out.