Buying Shrimp

Appears in
Cooking One on One

By John Ash

Published 2004

  • About
Shrimp are usually labeled and priced (at least by the processor and wholesaler) according to their size, which is expressed in number per pound, e.g., “U 10” (under 10 per pound), “10-15” (10-15 per pound), etc. In other words, the higher the number, the smaller the shrimp. Like all fish and shellfish, shrimp should have a clean, fresh, “seaweedy” smell. Any hint of ammonia means that they are old, so don’t buy them.