Wild Red Shrimp? Patagonian King Prawn? Argentinian Red Shrimp? Pleoticus Muelleri? They have many names! The simple Wild Patagonian Red Shrimp is making significant strides within prawn markets across the globe, and are becoming commonplace within many people’s fridges.
As with most wild prawn species, their distinct flavours originate from their natural ocean habitats. No farm pens, no artificial feeding, no antibiotics and no genetic modification, just pure nature! The Wild Patagonian Shrimp is no exception.
Wild Patagonian Red Shrimp are naturally caught from the icy cold, clean waters just off Argentina, giving them a delicate texture and a sweet taste of the sea. These tender, wild, cold-water shrimps require minimal cooking and are beautiful just lightly grilled or sautéed in a pan over low heat.
Purchase yours now directly from Meridian Sea Limited. We sell the frozen product either cooked or raw. They are available both as whole prawns or just the tails. Contact us today for further information about our various delivery and pricing options tailored to suit the individual requirements of every business.
Wild Red Shrimp Sourcing in Argentina
In recent years, Argentinian red shrimp has exploded in popularity, and the demand has been met through new harvesting techniques as well as processing and how stocks are managed. All of this has helped the market to go from strength to strength where it has now expanded into new markets throughout the world.
What also makes sourcing wild red shrimp so unique is that the species has a reproduction cycle that is very short at just 12 months to 16 months. This has enabled stocks to be managed because it has meant that it can be harvested without depleting resources and so, there is an element of natural sustainability to it. Additionally, the government has introduced regulations and fishery improvement projects.
As far as fresh seafood goes, the demand for Argentine red shrimp has grown, and that is why it has now been added to the Meridian Sea product list. To provide an insight into how much has been imported, in 2011, 200 MT was imported by the US, but now that has grown to 4, 500 MT proving just how much the royal red shrimp has grown in popularity. Spain was once the largest buyer, but this has now changed as the frozen shrimp is now flooding into Europe. However, China is another country that has latched onto the growth and popularity of this delicious seafood, and so, sourcing Argentinian red shrimp is now a vast industry.
Sourcing red shrimp in Argentina is now apparently becoming a big part of the economy, and that has meant that countries all around the world now want a piece. This demand is proving just how popular and highly regarded the shrimps are, and they remind people of the taste of lobster which is seen as a bonus, especially when the cost of lobster is considered.
Along with this, how the normal shrimp is sourced is also changing as the industry has seen a big push to improve quality. To achieve this, farmers are developing how the catch is taken to a plant as well as how long it takes. While there have been inconsistencies about this, with some producers taking hours and other taking minutes, there is a real desire to continue to meet demand with improvements across the board.
What Are Argentinian Red Shrimp?
Red shrimp are found in the South Atlantic, and as the name suggests, it is located off the coast of Argentina. When they are caught, they are red in colour which makes them different from other kinds of normal shrimps which are commonly a blue or grey colour before turning red when cooked. However, Argentinian red shrimps are known to be the sweetest shrimps in the world, and their texture and taste are considered to be better than that of other prawns. They are also larger in size which is also positive for those who love to consume shrimps.
As mentioned, as the demand for this shrimp increases, there should be a natural concern about its sustainability, however, the shrimp is unique in the way that it reproduces and that, along with good stock management has meant that it can be actively sourced without significantly depleting stock levels.
Argentine Red Shrimp – Where To Buy?
If you want to sample the wonderful flavour and texture that comes with the Argentine red shrimp, then you need to know where to purchase them from. When choosing any kind of seafood, you need to know that you are using a supplier who provides you with the freshest seafood from a source that they trust. As Argentine red shrimp grow in popularity, they are going to become more and more in demand, but that means that you need a supplier such a Meridian Sea who can source them and offer them at affordable prices.
To get the most from your seafood, you need to know that your supplier only uses and sells fresh seafood and that is why Meridian Sea is a supplier that you can go to when you need to purchase the fantastic Argentinian red shrimp. You need to know that your Argentinian red shrimp have been caught and delivered to you in the shortest amount of time to guarantee freshness. Wild red shrimp tastes its best the sooner it is consumed after being caught, and with shrimp, it is vital that they are caught and delivered as soon as possible, ensuring that you get to benefit from the great flavours that they are known for.
Argentinian Red Shrimp Nutritional Value
Argentinian red shrimp are an extremely healthy option when it comes to meal choices and the ingredients that you use. Despite their size, they are low in calories and are also extremely low in fat which makes them great for everyone, especially those who are trying to adhere to a strict diet but want food that has a real substance to it.
Around 100 grams of red shrimp will contain approximately 90 calories and less than 1 gram of fat which proves that they do have beneficial nutritional values. However, while they do have high cholesterol content, they are low in fat. Along with this, they also contain a wide range of oils, acids, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are good for health. When it comes to heart disease, circulatory diseases and other forms of illness, the omega-3 fatty acids can help to prevent them, and they also contain high levels of Vitamin B12, Zinc, iodine, phosphorous, potassium, selenium and iron. All of these help to improve health in many different ways such as alleviating fatigue, improving blood flow and improving skin and bone health.
For those who are perhaps looking to lose weight with a high protein diet or even use protein as part of a training plan, they are packed with protein with almost 18 grams of protein per 100 grams of shrimp, which is pretty impressive when compared to other sources of protein.
Argentinian Red Shrimp UK
Argentinian red shrimp is still a relatively new addition to the UK Seafood market when compared to other crustaceans; however, that means very little because import numbers are beginning to grow as more and more people find out just how good the shrimps actually are. When you compare the cost and meat content of other shellfish, it seems as though Argentinian red shrimp is a great option, especially when it comes to cooking and adding in a sufficient amount of meat without having to go down the route of paying for expensive shellfish such as lobster. In the UK, we love our seafood and consumers are always looking for new and exciting seafood delicacies that they can enjoy when they are in a restaurant or even at home. We do have a fascination with shellfish. We love muscles, clams, oysters and more, and so, it is no surprise the Argentinian red shrimp is becoming a popular choice.
When it comes to choosing the right shrimp in the UK, it is crucial that consumers select a supplier that understands their seafood and can explain the source and where it comes from. However, once more and more people experience the flavour and delicate texture of the Argentinian red shrimp, it is almost inevitable that it will grow in popularity.
Argentine Red Shrimp Recipes
For those who love seafood and would usually cook with king prawns or other seafood then making the switch to Argentine red shrimp certainly won’t disappoint. Their meaty texture will add that extra something to any dish, and because they are simple to cook with, they are ideal for everyone in the kitchen.
As Argentine red shrimp are so versatile, they can be used in almost most dishes in place of other kinds of meat. One recipe is tagliatelle with a white wine and garlic sauce with Argentinian red shrimp. The method is simple and involves melting butter in a pan and then adding thinly sliced shallots until they are translucent before adding in chopped garlic. Once the garlic has released its aroma, add in a cup of white wine and increase the heat to bring it to the boil. Once it has boiled, add another half a cup of white wine and simmer for a further ten minutes until it has reduced. After it has simmered for ten minutes, the heat can be reduced to low and once it has stopped boiling the ¾ cup of cream can be added slowly followed by the juice of 1 lemon. Add in the Argentinian red shrimp and cook on low heat for a further 7-10 minutes.
The pasta should be cooked as per the packet instructions – usually 4 minutes for fresh and 10 minutes for dried pasta.
Argentine red shrimp are versatile and are great used in tempura dishes or even stir-fry dishes where they can really enhance the character and texture of the meal.