1. Notice the heads and tails of prawns

When buying prawns, if you pay close attention, you will see that some prawns have black heads and tails. The enzyme reaction is the reason why prawns turn black. This often occurs when prawns are exposed to high temperatures, lack of oxygen or some other causes. Therefore, if you see the prawns’ head and tail turn black, it means that the prawn has been left for a long time and shows signs of spoilage, it is best to avoid it.

2. Avoid the hard prawns that are not curling

If you find the prawns hard and straight, it is a sign that the prawns has been injected with impurities. Normal prawns are soft and curved. Injected prawns often feel hard and bloated. When cooked, chemically injected prawns often lose a lot of water and the meat will shrink significantly compared to before processing.

3. Skin

Check the skin of the prawns. Skin that is still tightly attached indicates freshness, while skin that has begun to peel or detach could be an indication of prawns that have been harvested for a long time.

Other tips 

4. Fresh or frozen

If possible, choose fresh prawns over frozen. Fresh shrimps tend to have better flavor qualities than frozen ones.

5. Odor

Fresh prawns should not have a fishy or foul odor. A strong odor can be a sign that the prawns is no longer fresh.

6. Color

Choose prawns with bright and clear colors. Avoid prawns that have a brownish or dull color, as it could be a sign that the prawns are no longer fresh.

7. Red or black spots

Avoid prawns that have red or black spots on their bodies. This could indicate infection or damage to the prawns.