Why do the edges of shrimp shells turn black when cooked?

Shrimp is extremely nutritious, rich in vitamins and minerals, has multiple health benefits, and is also delicious. Many people love to eat shrimps, especially boiled shrimps in water, which not only maintains the original delicious taste of the shrimps, but is also a healthy and nourishing method. Some people find that the edges of shrimps turn black instead of red after being cooked. What’s going on? Let's keep looking at it.

1. The reason why shrimp heads turn black after being cooked

In addition to the shrimp being unfresh, there are three other reasons why the shrimp heads turn black after being cooked.

1. After the shrimp dies, its internal organs are easily damaged during transportation and squeezing, so the shrimp head and body will turn black after being cooked, or even before being put into the pot.

2. When the shrimps are caught, they are fed too much feed and sold on the same day. If the feed is not fully digested when cooked, the shrimp will tend to turn black after cooking.

3. Generally speaking, shrimps will be cooked if boiled at high temperature for one or two minutes. If boiled for more than three minutes, the shrimp internal organs will easily rupture and the shrimps will easily turn black.

4. Also, when citizens buy shrimps, they look lively and energetic, but the shrimps are usually packed in shopping bags after purchase. At this time, the shrimps are in an oxygen-deficient state. When they are put into the pot after arriving home, the activity of many shrimps is already very low, and the shrimp heads are prone to turn black in this state.

Industry insiders also remind us that even if the shrimp heads turn black, they can be eaten as long as the meat is not spoiled.

How to Cook Shrimp

1. First of all, the shrimp should be fresh. The shell of fresh raw shrimp should be smooth and the inside should be plump, which means the meat is high in moisture. This is the premise. Then soak the raw shrimps in light salt water for about 10 minutes, rinse them with clean water, and finally cook them.

2. Remember: "If you want the shrimp to be plump, put onion, ginger and salt in cold water, wait until the water boils, then put the shrimp in. After the shrimp shell turns red, cook for no more than 2 minutes." Do not cook it for too long, because shrimp meat contains a lot of water. If you cook it for too long, the water in it will be gone and the taste will be very bad.

3. Teach you how to choose shrimp

1. When buying shrimps at the market, we must first judge by their color. Normal shrimps are green in color, the color of the whole shrimp is relatively uniform, the body is translucent, and the reaction is sensitive.

2. If the color is reddish or has white spots, and the intestinal line is not clear, it is a sick shrimp and it is recommended not to buy it.

3. When you hold a normal shrimp in your hand, its shell is thick and hard, non-sticky and elastic. The shrimp feels very energetic and jumps around, and the meat is firm. Healthy shrimp eyes are round, black and shiny, otherwise they are unhealthy.

4. Normal shrimps have a normal fishy smell. If they smell a bit stinky or other smell, it means they have gone bad.

5. A normal shrimp has a curved body shape, with the shell and meat tightly connected. If the shell and meat feel loose, it may not be fresh anymore.

4. Precautions when eating shrimp

If shrimps contain bacteria or parasites, it is recommended that they be cooked thoroughly before eating and not eaten raw. It is best not to drink alcohol when eating shrimp.