Although the names shrimp and prawns are used interchangeably, these crustaceans are actually two different animals. Learn how shrimp and mussels boil tell them apart.

An award-winning food writer and cookbook author, Molly Watson has created more than 1,000 recipes focused on local, seasonal ingredients. But it is not just where they inhabit that distinguishes one from the other. Although some aspects may not be as prominent as others, there are several parts of these crustaceans that help differentiate the two. Examining their legs will also help you decipher the two. Shrimp’s front pincers are the largest and they have claws on two pairs of the legs. Prawns, on the other hand, have their largest pincers on the second pair of legs and claws on three pairs of their legs. In most cases, shrimp are smaller than prawns.

But don’t use this as the only marker for deciphering between the two as there can be large shrimp that are bigger than a typical prawn. Taste is also not a way of telling the two crustaceans apart. While different varieties of shrimp and prawns vary in taste and texture, those differences do not divide along “shrimp” and “prawn” lines. In short, while shrimp and prawns are not the same, their flavors are, and therefore make them interchangeable in recipes. Although it is clear these two crustaceans are very different from each other, the terms “shrimp” and “prawn” seem to be used interchangeably. The words “shrimp” and “prawn” originated in England but the UK tends to refer to both of these crustaceans as prawns. Food labeled as prawns are often larger than shrimp but aren’t necessarily true prawns.

Some “prawns”—such as spot prawns—are biological shrimp, and some “shrimp”—notably ridgeback shrimp—are technically prawns. Choose shrimp or prawns based on size what a recipe calls for, and whether they’ve been caught or raised in an environmentally responsible way. Along with the size and how the shrimp or prawns came to be at the store, different types definitely have different flavor profiles and qualities, making certain kinds ideal for specific dishes. There are many ways to cook and serve shrimp and prawns.

They can be grilled, broiled, fried, sauteed, or steamed, and can be cooked with the shell on or off. The most important thing to note when cooking is that shrimp and prawns cook fast. Shrimp and prawn’s mild and sweet flavor make them extremely versatile and great to pair with a variety of ingredients, from simple to complex. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level.

This article is about cooked shrimps. For the raw version, see Raw shrimps. Healing 3 Hitpoints when eaten, shrimps are useful for new players seeking to level both Cooking and Fishing. This page was last modified on 30 September 2022, at 14:41. Content on this site is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3. This summary has been prepared by the Secretariat under its own responsibility. The summary is for general information only and is not intended to affect the rights and obligations of Members.

Consultations Complaint by India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand. On 8 October 1996, India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand requested consultations with the United States concerning a ban on importation of shrimp and shrimp products from these complainants imposed by the US under Section 609 of US Public Law 101-162. Violations of Articles I, XI and XIII of the GATT 1994, as well nullification and impairment of benefits, were alleged. On 9 January 1997, Malaysia and Thailand requested the establishment of a panel. At its meeting on 22 January 1997, the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel.

On 30 January 1997, Pakistan also requested the establishment of a panel. At the same meeting, the DSB established a panel in accordance with the request made Pakistan. It also agreed that the two panels would be consolidated in a single panel, pursuant to Article 9. 1 of the DSU with standard terms of reference. On 25 February 1997, India also requested the establishment of a panel on the same matter. At its meeting on 20 March 1997, the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel. Further to a second request to establish a panel by India, the DSB agreed to establish a panel at its meeting on 10 April 1997.

The DSB also agreed that this panel would be consolidated with the panel already established at the request of Malaysia, Thailand and Pakistan. On 15 May 1998, the panel report was circulated to Members. The panel found that the import ban in shrimp and shrimp products as applied by the United States is inconsistent with Article XI:1 of the GATT 1994, and cannot be justified under Article XX of the GATT 1994. On 13 July 1998, the United States notified its intention to appeal certain issues of law and legal interpretations developed by the panel. The Appellate Body report was circulated to Members on 12 October 1998. The DSB adopted the Appellate Body report and the Panel report, as modified by the Appellate Body report, on 6 November 1998. The compliance panel circulated its report on 15 June 2001.