Is It A Shrimp? Is It A Prawn?

Many are still getting confused between a shrimp and a prawn. And even if you don’t admit it, we know some of you are one of those peeps too! If you get served a palatable of those delicious-looking au jus crustaceans, I highly doubt you’ll start examining it’s anatomy and take the time to differentiate whether it’s a shrimp or a prawn. What do you do? Of course, you dig in! After all, who wouldn’t? Even so, it’s still important to know what kind of food we ingest―as they say, “You are what you eat.” 

There are various ways to distinguish what is what. Nonetheless, the main anatomical difference between a shrimp and a prawn is their body form. Prawns have three pairs of claw-like legs, while shrimp have only one pair. Prawns also have longer legs than shrimp. All of their shell segments overlap each other from the front to the back. Their second abdomen shell segment overlaps with the first and third segments. This causes shrimp to have more of a bend or curve to their bodies than prawns do. If that all sounds too complicated, here’s the easiest way to remember the difference: Prawns are usually bigger than shrimp. And prawns live in brackish or freshwater vs shrimp that live mostly in saltwater. In terms of color, both prawn and shrimp can be brownish, bluish, pinkish or gray; their colors are generally dull. However, both shrimp and prawns take on an orange color when cooked. Even with how the two tastes, the difference is very subtle and probably more influenced by the place where the crustacean was raised and what it fed on, than what name it bears. Prawns are slightly sweeter than shrimps, shrimps are said to be slightly saltier too. 

In addition, culinary-wise, there aren’t so much difference in usage between the two. There are no documented differences between the nutritional profiles of prawns and shrimp. They both provide a good source of protein, healthy fats and many vitamins and minerals, yet are low in calories. See? Just cook it nicely, and there is not much difference so you can enjoy both, or whichever you prefer. They are shrimp-ly the best! (Just please don’t forget your antihistamine.)