Buzz
Shrimp have earned their place as the go-to seafood appetizer. Perfect for dipping in cocktail sauce, they’re also filling enough to make a complete meal when served in larger quantities. Shrimp are so popular in the United States, surpassing even tuna, with the average American consuming four pounds of these tasty crustaceans annually.
However, you rarely hear people order prawn cocktail or prawn scampi. Despite their close resemblance to shrimp, prawns have yet to reach the same level of recognition in popular culture. So, what really sets shrimp and prawns apart?
As noted by Food & Wine, shrimp and prawns both belong to the decapod family, each with ten legs and an external exoskeleton. Yet, the similarities stop there. Prawns are classified under the decapod suborder Dendrobranchiata, featuring three pairs of legs with claws, larger secondary pincers, and branching gills. Their bodies are typically more elongated than shrimp, and they predominantly inhabit freshwater environments.
Shrimp, unlike prawns, possess a more pronounced curve in their bodies due to the second segment of their shell overlapping the first and third segments. They also have one less pair of claws, along with plate-like gills and large front pincers, and are typically found in saltwater habitats.
Once the shells are removed, the differences fade. Shrimp and prawns share nearly identical flavors, though some may notice a slightly sweeter taste in prawns. 'Shrimp' has become the general term for both in northern regions, while southern areas and places like the UK and Ireland prefer 'prawn.' So, while you may encounter either or both in restaurants, the phrase 'prawn taco' simply doesn’t sound the same.
