Do you want to add more prawns to your diet this year? Excellent decision! Prawns are both healthy and delicious. But which type of prawn should you buy?
With over 45 years in the industry, Seafood Direct can advise you on the best type of prawn for your needs. The last thing you want is to spend money on a cooked prawn just to ruin it by overheating. We get calls from customers who have done just that in the past, so here's some information that might come in handy!
Seafood Direct offers a wide selection of prawns. When you choose us for seafood delivery in London, you can rest assured that you are receiving only responsibly-sourced, premium frozen seafood.
Which Type of Prawn Do I Need?
With so many varieties available, selecting the right prawn can be overwhelming. Consider the dish you’re preparing and your personal taste preferences. Whether you're aiming for a quick and easy salad or an elaborate seafood paella, the type of prawn you choose can make a big difference in flavour, texture, and cooking time. Factors such as size, water type, and whether the prawns are pre-cooked or raw will all impact the final result of your meal.
Cooked or raw?
First and foremost, you must decide how you intend to use your prawn. If you want a prawn that you can toss straight into a sandwich or salad, you need a cooked prawn — and smaller prawns are better for that purpose.
If you want to use a prawn in a curry or any meal that has to be cooked or has heat added, we recommend buying a raw prawn. The cooking time is less — about 4-5 minutes over direct heat like a frying pan or a bit longer in a curry or stew. When the other ingredients in the recipe take about 30 minutes to cook, adding prawns at the start may not be a good idea, and you may end up with a tough prawn.
Cold-water or warm-water?
Cold-water prawns are caught in the wild — primarily in the North-East Atlantic — and are typically cooked and frozen on board the vessel. While they are the most popular type of prawn in the UK since they are ready to defrost and use, they are also the smallest prawns available.
Warm-water prawns (also known as king prawns or Tiger prawns) are bigger and are commonly farmed in Asia or South America. They are available both cooked and raw and are often used in culinary recipes.
Shell-on or shell-off?
There is usually a shell-on or shell-off option for prawns. This is a matter of personal taste. Although shell-on prawns retain more flavour and texture, most seafood consumers prefer the convenience of shell-off prawns, which they can quickly defrost and toss into a salad.
If you are cooking prawn curry, use a peeled prawn, so you do not have to get your hands dirty when eating. However, prawn paella recipes with whole shell prawns look great — and when it comes to the overall flavour, nothing beats cooking raw shell-on prawns.
Large or small?
When it comes to prawns, size does not matter. In fact, smaller prawns have a sweeter, more palatable flavour profile. Having said that, larger prawns absorb flavours better, so a sauce or marinade would complement them wonderfully — and this is why larger prawns are the ideal meat for main dishes.
Different Kinds of Prawns Online
At Seafood Direct, we offer a wide range of prawns. Here are some of the varieties you can buy online:
King Prawns:
Popular for their size and flavour, king prawns are perfect for grilling or pan-frying.
Tiger Prawns:
Known for their bold, striped shells, tiger prawns are a favourite in Asian dishes.
School Prawn:
These smaller prawns are ideal for salads and snacks, offering a delicate taste.
Spot Prawn:
Famous for their sweet flavour, spot prawns are often considered the finest of all prawns.
Caramote Prawn:
This Mediterranean species is great for light, summery dishes and offers a sweet, tender flavour.
Kuruma Prawn:
Known for their firm texture, these prawns are often used in sushi and Japanese cuisine.
Endeavour Prawn:
These prawns have a rich taste and firm meat, making them excellent for barbecues.
Buy Fresh Seafood Online
If you are looking for fresh seafood delivery in Grimsby, Seafood Direct is the company to call. To browse our fine selection of mouth-watering fresh seafood, please stop by our collections page! And if you have any questions about our seafood delivery service, call us at 01472 566000 or write to us at sales@seafooddirect.co.uk. One of our representatives will get back to you shortly!