Among the wide variety of seafood to choose from, prawns enjoy a separate fan base altogether. People don’t leave an opportunity to make delectable dishes out of it. It could be in the form of a crispy snack such as the popular tempura prawns or even a curry like the classic Goan prawn curry. The truth is these dishes all taste incredibly good. But they won’t probably taste half as good as they do if the prawns used in them are of bad quality. So, how do we figure out if the prawns used in our food are fresh enough? We understand that this can be a bit confusing since the prawns are quite unique. In this article, we bring you some easy tips to look out for the next time you plan to buy or cook prawns.
Also Read: 5 Tips On How To Check The Freshness Of Raw Chicken
Here Are 5 Easy Tips To Tell If Prawns Have Gone Bad:
1. Check the head
What’s the first thing that you notice while buying prawns? It’s probably the head, right? The head of prawns is obviously the most striking feature about them, but did you know they could also help determine their freshness? You must always opt for prawns that have a firm head attached to them. If the head is missing, it’s best not to buy them.
2. Check the colour
You must always consider this factor when buying prawns. Now, we understand that this can get confusing as the colour of prawns can vary. But if the prawns seem to have an odd dark colour, then this is definitely not a good sign. You should buy prawns that are naturally pink in colour and look shiny.
3. Feel the texture
Another thing to look out for while determining the freshness of prawns is the texture. If the shell of the prawns feels hard, that means they are fresh and can be used for cooking. On the other hand, if they feel unusually soft and mushy, it’s not a good sign. Additionally, make sure that the prawns are not too slimy or mushy.
Also Read: Meat Lover’s Shopping Guide: Things To Keep In Mind While Buying Meat
4. Smell the prawns
To determine the freshness of prawns, do not forget to smell them. If you feel an unpleasant fishy odour, chances are the prawns have gone bad. Fresh prawns will smell like they’re literally straight out of the ocean. So, if you sense any musty odour, that’s an indicator of spoilage and a sign to discard them.
5. Look for spots
Unusual spots on prawns can be a sign that they are not of the best quality. While some of these spots can occur naturally, look out for the ones that are black in colour or may seem a bit odd. And if you notice any of the above-mentioned signs, then they are definitely not fresh.
Now that you know about these tips, we hope they come in handy the next time you plan to buy or cook prawns.
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