Online Prawn Shopping Guide

The online selection of prawns can be overwhelming, from raw king prawns to cooked cold-water shrimp, with or without shells. Making the right choice is crucial for the success of your dish. This guide is designed to help you find the perfect prawns for your needs by objectively presenting the most important features and differences. As your Joybuy Product Recommendation Officer, I have compiled information to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

What to Look for When Buying Prawns Online

To find the right products for your culinary plans, a few basic criteria can help guide your selection. The condition, variety, and preparation are key indicators.

1. Raw or Cooked: It Depends on Your Intended Use

The first decision when ordering prawns online concerns the state of the product. The choice depends directly on how you want to prepare them.

• Raw Prawns: These are the top choice for dishes where the prawns will be actively cooked, fried, grilled, or steamed. They absorb the flavours of marinades and spices very well, developing their characteristic pink colour and a firm texture during cooking. Ideal for paella, curries, grilled skewers, or pan-frying with garlic and herbs.
• Cooked Prawns: Pre-cooked prawns are ready to eat and save time in the kitchen. They are excellent for cold applications like prawn cocktails, salads, or as an addition to soups that only need brief heating. Since they are already cooked, they should only be added to hot dishes at the end of the cooking process to avoid a tough result.

2. Varieties and Sizes: From Black Tiger to North Atlantic Prawns

Prawns vary significantly in size, taste, and texture. The most common varieties available are:

• Black Tiger Prawns: Often referred to as king prawns, they are known for their considerable size and firm bite. Their flavour is mild, making them a versatile partner for robust sauces and spices.
• North Atlantic Prawns: These smaller prawns from cold waters have delicate, slightly sweet meat. They are usually sold pre-cooked and are a classic ingredient for salads, sandwiches, or as a snack.
• Size Grading: The numbers on the packaging (e.g., 16/20) indicate the number of prawns per pound (lb) or kilogram. A lower number means larger prawns. For example, a package labelled 16/20 contains between 16 and 20 prawns per pound.

3. Preparation and Sustainability

The type of preparation affects both the flavour and the amount of work involved.

• Shell-on Prawns: The shell protects the meat from drying out during cooking and adds extra flavour. The head also contains a lot of flavour, which is ideal for making stocks or sauces.
• Peeled and Deveined Prawns: This version is particularly convenient and ready to use immediately. It saves valuable preparation time.
• Sustainability Seals: Seals like the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) identify products from sustainable fisheries. If you value environmentally conscious consumption, MSC-certified prawns are a good guide. Frozen prawns are the standard for ensuring freshness and quality over long distances.

Our Selection of Prawns for Your Kitchen

Here is a selection of products that cater to different needs and uses.

High Seas Black Tiger 16/20 Head On

What makes this product stand out These raw Black Tiger prawns are supplied whole with head and shell (head-on, shell-on). The semi-IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) process ensures that the prawns are frozen individually, preserving their freshness and texture. The impressive 16/20 size makes them a centrepiece on any plate.

Benefits

• Maximum flavour from the head and shell
• Large grading, ideal for grilling and frying
• Raw state allows for versatile preparation methods

Who is it for? For home cooks seeking an authentic flavour experience and wanting to utilise the full depth of flavour from the prawns, for example, by boiling the shells to make a stock.

Asian Choice Black Tiger Shrimp Headless, Shelled and Open Back

What makes this product stand out These prawns offer the convenience of quick preparation. They are already headless, peeled, and cut open along the back, which makes deveining unnecessary. Despite the convenient preparation, these are raw prawns, retaining their culinary flexibility.

Benefits

• Significant time savings during preparation
• Raw state allows for custom seasoning and cooking methods
• The firm texture of the Black Tiger prawn is preserved

Who is it for? For anyone who appreciates the taste and texture of freshly prepared king prawns but wants to avoid the effort of peeling and deveining. Perfect for quick stir-fries or curries.

Nordic Seafood 1kg MSC North Atlantic Prawns Shell-On Cooked

What makes this product stand out These cooked prawns of the Pandalus borealis variety come from the Northwest Atlantic and are MSC-certified. They are already cooked and lightly salted, making them ready to eat. The shell protects the delicate meat and is easy to remove after thawing.

Benefits

• Ready to eat, no cooking required
• MSC seal for sustainable fishing
• Delicate, slightly sweet taste, typical of cold-water prawns

Who is it for? For health- and time-conscious consumers looking for a quick and straightforward ingredient for salads, cold platters, or as a snack. Also a great choice for those who value sustainably caught seafood.

Looking for More Options?

The world of seafood is diverse. If you are interested in other high-quality products besides prawns, you can find a wider selection of fish and seafood for your culinary projects in our frozen fish category.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What do the numbers on prawn packaging (e.g., 16/20) mean?

These numbers indicate the grading, i.e., the size of the prawns. The specification refers to the number of pieces per unit of weight, usually per pound (lb, approx. 453 g). A "16/20" label means that between 16 and 20 prawns of this size make up one pound. The lower the numbers, the larger the individual prawns.

How do I properly thaw frozen prawns?

The gentlest method is to thaw them slowly in the refrigerator over several hours or overnight. To do this, place the frozen prawns in a bowl or on a plate. If you're in a hurry, you can thaw the prawns in a colander under cold, running water. Avoid using hot water or the microwave, as this can cause the meat to cook unevenly and become tough.

Can you eat the prawn shells?

Prawn shells are edible, especially when deep-fried until crispy. However, in most preparations, the shell is removed before eating. It serves as a flavour enhancer and protects the delicate meat during cooking. With shell-on prawns, the shell is typically removed by hand at the table.