Hi All,
Without taking country of origin into account.
Was wondering if it better value to buy whole prawns or the already processed prawn meat without shell/head/ deveined?
Prices for whole prawns are about $20-25 a kilo whereas processed prawns are $30 a kilo.
If you consider the time spent shelling the prawns and the weight of the shells, whole prawns doesn't seem like good value? am i missing something here?
Might depend how you plan to eat them? eg: you may want whole prawns for BBQ, but shelled prawns for salads
Often shelled Australian prawns are processed in Thailand or Vietnam where labour is cheap. Can you get $30/kg processed fully Australian prawns?
yes, the local seafood place has them listed as Australian Prawns processed @ $30 a kilo. Unless of course it not Aussie prawns.
I read that and instantly think , these guys shipped the prawns someone to be processed and had them sent back.
Still technically Australian prawns.
Gee-Wiz, are they even allowed to do that?
I think some juice companies do this already with fruits, I thought it was weird as well.
'Without taking country of origin into account.'
You can't though.
Of course imported prawns (peeled or cooked) are going to be much better value.
However Australian prawns (with shells) aren't that expensive. When peeled, they are expensive.
Anyway, there's a reason why Australian prawns are exported even if it's cost more than prawns from Asia.
I tend to buy Australian prawns where I can (in the shell) and peel them myself.. it's quick enough and I can ensure I get the best quality.
Without taking country of origin into account.
Why not? This is a defining factor especially since you're talking about value, which doesn't necessarily mean only price.
I always think about the processes they go through to be 'eat ready'
Whole prawns are, when not fresh, snap frozen on the boat (or just off). Even defrosted, their freshness is as good as you'll get without the stinky inconvenience.
Then there's the waste. Is it waste? Some people make seafood broths, fry the heads, other people use it as compost booster.
Without taking country of origin into account
Really?! I mentally checked-out at this point.
Maybe you meant "for any given country of origin, is it better value to buy whole or shelled prawns"? If that's the case, you need to consider two main variables:
(Source: Relative who works in the restaurant game)
My thoughts exactly.
The price difference between whole vs deveined doesn't seem right if we're talking about the same product.
the same product
And there's the punchline.
Even prawns from the same catch are not the "same" prawns (whole vs shelled). There can be up to 36 hours between whole fresh cooked prawns being put out for sale and those that have been processed.
That difference in freshness is significant. That's why restaurants still buy whole prawns and not prawn meat.
Processed prawns will be of value to someone who doesnt enjoy sucking prawn brain juice.
Whole prawns and use something like this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/368746
Head and shells for stock plus deveined prawn meat to do what you want with.
thanks
Pre-shelled prawns are better value by weight and time, but I have noticed whole prawns taste better (to me at least). That prawn brain juice gives a lot of flavour.
mmmmmm Prawn gravy with orange roe
Whole prawns with shells always my pick. Love making Prawn Bisque from the shells after eating them or make Prawn Stock for use in risotto or a seafood soup at a later date. Bingo!
Your logic by 'weight' considerations alone may be accurate. But 'whole' prawns are generally fresh or perhaps at least fresher than processed ones(?).