Who Has the Best Shrimp?
The Best Shrimp in Florida
If you’ve ever seen the movie Forrest Gump, you probably know just how versatile shrimp can be. As Bubba Gump teaches us, shrimp is the fruit of the sea and can be prepared in various ways. Whether you barbecue, bake, or deep fry it, shrimp makes for a delicious seafood appetizer or entree. In fact, one billion pounds of shrimp are eaten every year in the U.S. alone.
The question is, what makes the best shrimp?
Well, there are different varieties of shrimp that are caught and sold in different parts of the world. Each one brings a different taste and presentation to the table.
Let’s dive into some of the factors that make some shrimp better than others.
Mayport Shrimp Varieties
You’re probably already familiar with Mayport shrimp. This kind refers to shrimp that is caught in the Jacksonville area. It gets its name from Mayport, an old fishing village in Jacksonville, Florida, but it is actually a combination of four different types of shrimp: white, pink, brown, and rock.
Image courtesy of Tomas Martinez via Unsplash
White shrimp is known for being translucent. It’s a good choice for many dishes because it can absorb the flavors from different sauces and seasonings.
Pink shrimp is a larger variety, known for its sweetness and pink color. It is also known as the Gulf Pink Shrimp because it is found throughout the Gulf of Mexico. While part of the Atlantic Ocean, the flavors of shrimp found exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico may differ.
Brown shrimp has a stronger taste than many other shrimps. It tastes great in soups and with other seafood. It has a bold flavor that makes for a great hearty meal.
Rock shrimp gets its name from the hard shell it has. It is one of the meatier shrimps, often compared to lobster in flavor.
The Best Shrimp Around the World
While Florida is known for its shrimping history, there are multiple varieties of shrimp found elsewhere that people love to eat.
Banana prawn is a shrimp that is native to Thailand and Northern Australia. Due to its thick body, these shrimp are great for grilling. They are sweet and have a flaky texture.
Chinese White shrimp are native to China and are harvested in cold water. As a result, they have a delicate and water flavor, but they are popular in a stir-fry with Asian vegetables and spices.
The Aesop Shrimp is unique for its body shape compared to most shrimps. They can be found in Northern Canada and are known for being very sweet, so people tend to eat them on salads.
Image courtesy of Erwan Hesry via Unsplash
The Science Behind the Best Tasting Shrimp
There are many additional factors that affect the taste of shrimp. One example is the pH level of the water they are harvested from. The pH level of oceans is at about an 8 on the pH scale. Scientists predict that the pH levels will drop due to climate change. The drop indicates that oceans are becoming more acidic. Shrimp that was from lower pH level water were found to be worse tasting than those found in water that emulates the ocean pH levels.
Serving up the Best Mayport Shrimp at Timoti’s
Planning a vacation to Florida? Unwind after a day at the beach with a trip to either Timoti’s Seafood Shak locations—Fernandina or Nocatee—for some delicious Mayport shrimp!