Frozen Shrimp. Does Brand Matter?

[Velda Mae]

I've bought my frozen shrimp at Whole Foods for years but recently the quality has suffered (widely varying sizes in the same package, mangled specimens) and the price has gone up, which got me to wondering, is one brand/source of frozen shrimp better than another or are they all pretty much the same? If they're all farm raised and frozen, what makes one shrimp better than another?

And, yes, I know there are wild, fresh shrimp out there. My question is specifically about frozen shrimp.

[Tom34]

Ocean Garden offers farm raised Mexican white and brown shrimp that do not contain Sodium Tripolyphosphate. As a result they are not pumped with water and have a texture very consistent with wild shrimp. They also have a stronger shrimp flavor than the Asian farm raised ones. Many restaurants serve them. They come in 5 lb frozen blocks.

Most of the IQF shrimp in the bags that I have seen are Asian, the above chemical is used, they are bloated with water & have little flavor. Also would question health problems with many of the Asian seafood farms.

[alkapal]

you might post your inquiry on the boston board.

[Velda Mae]

If anyone lives in the Boston area and knows where I can find US-produced shrimp, please tell me. Since I made my original post, I've checked the shrimp everywhere I've shopped, even at high-end fish markets like Legal Seafoods and Cap'n Mardens, and have yet to find shrimp that don't come from Asia.

[alkapal]

google "buy gulf shrimp" and find wholesalers or trade associations that you can contact for local retailers… e.g., http://www.wildwater-seafood.com/whol...

[hilltowner]

Whole Foods carries US produced shrimp. I get it at the Hadley location. I'm sure the Cambridge one has it as well. Just look in the frozen seafood section.

[Velda Mae]

All the shrimp at the Newtonville Whole Foods are from Thailand.

[alkapal]

i've even found good gulf shrimp without the additives at giant food in the d.c area. i've mentioned the name of the brand before, but cannot recall it now. but just look at the the frozen bags. you can make some good decisions right there at the frozen food case.

[BombayUpWithaTwist]

I think it also makes a huge difference when the shells are still on and they are uncooked.

[Bada Bing]

I agree that buying frozen USA shrimp is the best bet, on chemical and other grounds. Try a local food service wholesaler or a consumer-oriented place like Gordon Food Services if you cannot find it in supermarkets.

[4Snisl]

Personally, I try to find frozen shrimp that do not have any sodium tripolyphosphate added. It's meant to retain water for an 'improved texture' in frozen products once it's thawed, but I find rather the opposite- usually end up with something that seems somehow more watery and unappealing when I thaw in the fridge.

I prefer frozen shrimp where the ingredients list reads "shrimp" or "shrimp, salt".

[alkapal]

all i can say is that i only buy u.s. fresh or fresh-frozen gulf shrimp. frozen is fine, because i'm in d.c..

farm-raised and foreign shrimp never taste as good, and i am always worried about the antibiotic soup that i understand to be in the farm-raised -- esp. the vietnamese. i'm not sure how widespread this practice is, but i don't like it, nor the flavor and texture of the shrimp. and... what about the health issues?

[AdamD]

IMHO, the country of origin is more important than the brand. You might find better quality with U.S. products than you would with Asian ones. Although its not easy to find frozen US shrimp in the grocery store.