Fresh Water Prawns

Lately, I have noticed several markets, including Jewel, advertising "freshwater" shrimp. They are 8-10 ct/lb, so the are pretty big. I always equated freshwater shrimp with fish food or bait.

After doing a little research, I found out that freshwater shrimp are actually a type of river prawn that is only distantly related to marine shrimp. River prawn farming is a relatively new business which began in China not long ago, and has spread to other parts of the world in the last few years. Although it is growing rapidly, fresh water prawn farming represents just a small percentage of the crustacean farming industry. Total river prawn production for 2003 was 280,000 metric tonnes compared to 1.6 million tonnes of farmed shrimp and 1 million tonnes of crab. Apparently, river prawns can be grown in a wide variety of climates (including Illinois).

Anyhow, I suspect the "freshwater shrimp" at Jewel come from China or India. I'll bet the Asian fish markets have had them for years. How does the flavor and texture differ from tiger shrimp or saltwater prawns? Any good recipes for them? Will they hold up to grilling?

I guess I should just go buy some, and find out firsthand.

dave

fresh water shrimp have only recently been successfully packed and frozen, before the last five years or so they were definately the black sheep of the shrimp spectrum. Quality is still variable, the best u/8 size should retail for at least 20-25$ a lb. Factors that effect quality are mostly in processing, from what i understand. The species should be macrobrachium rosenbergii, i am not sure whatever other species are legaly allowed to be imported.

the texture of these is very firm, and the flavor is good. i like to butterfly them and then either saute in butter or marinate and grill.

happy shrimping!

E

Most of what you find in supermarkets is pond-grown shrimp from Thailand and other parts of Asia. I find that they have a milder flavor than marine shrimp and a softer texture.

Southern Illinois does indeed have a small shrimp farming industry, though most of the crop is sold at the farms and at festivals. In a Midwestern climate, they seed the ponds in the spring and then harvest all at once by draining the ponds when the weather begins to cool.

Here are a few pix from the 2005 Golconda Shrimp Festival. We had a great time at this fest, though it's a long drive, since Golconda is practically in Kentucky. Besides the shrimp, there's bluegrass music and a lot of very good barbecue.


Sign of the shrimp


Some live ones


Fresh from the tank


Peeling shrimp


One of the Fajita Ladies cooking shrimp


Grilled shrimp on a stick


Fried shrimp on a stick (with hot sauce)

Somewhat related:

On a recent trip. I came across a guy who was trying to raise lobsters ... in Central Nevada. He figured that he had a ready market in Reno and Las Vegas.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jul-13-Sun-2003/opinion/21600895.html

Wow LAZ, Thanks for the great pics. As I researched the Illinois freshwater prawn industry, I discovered the existence of the Golconda Shrimp (prawn?) Festival. It looks like fun. I think I may go this year. Was that sometime in September? When you were down there, did you visit any of the farms? The DuQuoin fish farming expo also sounds like it might be interesting.

After reading about the eating habits of river prawns, I am not sure I want to consume any from unknown ponds in Asia. They seem to be pretty much slime sucking bottom feeders. Apparently they prefer brackish water. I imagine the flavor and the quality greatly depends on the water, and what sort of organic material they are feeding on.

I read an interesting government paper that suggested growing river prawns in the cooling ponds of nuclear power plants. The warm effluent would allow the cultivation of prawns much farther north, like in Braidwood and Byron. Anyone for three-eyed two-headed shrimp?
Actually, it's not a bad idea.