Rating of the best brands of frozen shrimp for 2020

The exquisitely spicy taste of these small crustaceans has always attracted seafood connoisseurs. Shrimps are good as a delicate appetizer, and as a great ingredient in soups, main courses or salads.

Unfortunately, freshly caught specimens rarely appear on our market. However, they can be purchased frozen - small or large, boiled or raw, loose or packed. Therefore, there is always the right product for the table, as well as new items on the counter. At the same time, everyone hopes that they will receive a juicy and tasty delicacy, and not pieces of ice with broken heads and tails. Help in choosing delicacies will be provided by the rating of quality brands of frozen seafood, containing a list and description of the best products.

General information

Shrimps are representatives of the decapod crustacean family, with a wide variety of species, of which only a few dozen are of commercial value.

In appearance, they are very similar to sea crustaceans, but more - from two to 30 centimeters. The laterally compressed body consists almost entirely of a massive abdomen, and the cephalothorax is much shorter. The first pair of legs has small claws. Swim with the help of hind legs and tail plates.

They are divided into groups by habitat.

Cold blooded

They live in the northern waters of the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans. The main commercial fishing is carried out off the coast of Denmark, Canada, Norway. They are distinguished by a fragile shell, a small length of up to 12 cm and a delicate taste.

Under artificial conditions, this type is not bred, and the food base is high-quality natural plankton. Fishing is carried out at great depths with nets with minimal damage. These include:

• white northern

• red comb

• red langoustines

 

• northern chilim

• pink

Warm-blooded

In their natural environment, they are usually found in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea. The main industrial cultivation is carried out in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, China. Grown on artificial farms, they are distinguished by their large size up to 37 cm in length, a strong shell and a sweetish taste. These include:

• royal

• southern deep sea

• tiger

 

In nature, the largest shrimp are tiger. They can be found in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Adriatic and Mediterranean seas.

Composition

The chemical composition of seafood contains many useful elements, vitamins and minerals. They are rich in protein, easily digestible by the body, while the amount of carbohydrates and fats is negligible.

Shrimp is a unique storehouse of biologically active nutrients that are necessary to maintain the body's performance.

One serving weighing 100 grams provides up to 47% of the protein norm per day, up to 32% - vitamin D, up to 100% - iodine, up to 250% - potassium.

Fresh crustaceans are low in calories, depending on the species, they contain from 73 to 107 kcal. However, during cooking, the calorie content increases. In addition, their allergenicity is minimal and they are excellent as an alternative dish for allergy sufferers.

The chemical composition is shown in the table.

Composition, g	Content per 100 g
Water	77.2
Protein	18.9
Fats	2.2
Ash	1.7
Minerals, mg	Content per 100 g
Iron	2200
Zinc	2100
Copper	850
Sodium	450
Potassium	260
Phosphorus	220
Calcium	135
Iodine	110
Manganese	110
Fluorine	100
Magnesium	60
Selenium	38
Cobalt	12
Molybdenum	10
Vitamins, mg	Content per 100 g
Vitamin E (tocopherol)	2,27
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	1.4
Vitamin PP (niacin)	1
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)	0.11
Vitamin B1 (thiamine)	0.06
Vitamin A (beta carotene)	0.01
Vitamin B9 (folic acid)	0.01

Beneficial features

1.Prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Regular consumption lowers bad cholesterol while good cholesterol rises. B vitamins have a positive effect, which counteracts the harmful effects of homocysteine, which obstructs blood flow and damages blood vessels.

2. Prevention of neoplasms and antioxidant properties.

Actantine and selenium prevent the formation of cancer cells, slow down growth and destroy weakened cells with a disrupted gene structure. In addition, they enhance anticarcinogenic properties.

3. Improving the functioning of the nervous system.

Fatty acids prevent a decrease in the quality of mental function, protecting against the development of Alzheimer's disease. It also improves mood and reduces depression due to the excellent anti-stress properties of magnesium.

4. Antimicrobial properties.

The chitin contained in the shell, due to its high antimicrobial properties, helps to quickly heal wounds and cuts.

5. Strengthening the bone structure.

This seafood is excellent for patients with arthrosis of the joints and osteoporosis because of its high content of calcium and vitamin D. Regular presence in food reduces the risk of bone and muscular dystrophy, increases the elasticity of joints and ligaments, and strengthens the spines of the skeleton.

6. Benefit for women.

The rich composition of seafood has a beneficial effect on the formation of the fetus during pregnancy, improves metabolism, strengthens nails and hair.

7. Benefits for men.

The hormonal background is normalized, the mood improves and the libido increases. Stimulation of male strength is carried out thanks to selenium and zinc, and fatty amino acids are involved in the production of testosterone.

Potential harm

1. Disruption of the functioning of the digestive system - an excess of proteins contributes to intestinal disorders, manifested in the form of diarrhea or constipation.
2. Visual impairment - excessive consumption (more than two kg at a time) of neuroactive substances contained in meat can cause temporary visual dysfunctions: violation of accommodation, double vision.
3. Allergic reaction - often occurs with individual sensitivity of the body to proteins. Deviations manifest themselves in different ways: from nasal congestion and tingling in the mouth to Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock.

What goes into the store

In the seafood departments assortment of crustaceans:

• not peeled - shell on the head

• peeled:
  • with or without an alimentary tract;
  • with or without ponytail

• in brine

• raw-frozen

• boiled-frozen

• packaged

• by weight

Seafood takes a long way to hit the counter, which increases the price, which is a combination of many factors.

1. Shrimp must be caught with special vessels or raised on a farm. At the same time, fishing from the natural environment increases the cost.
2. The harvested seafood is boiled, frozen and glazed.
3. For transportation, special vehicles are used with equipment to maintain the temperature regime.
4. The distance of transportation increases the price - the farther to carry, the more expensive the goods;
5. The price includes customs fees, supplier and retail markups.
6. The price is influenced by the size, which is reflected in the numbers on the packages - the number of copies per pound (cleaned) or kilogram (uncleaned). The cheaper ones have the marking 90/120, the more expensive and larger ones have 40/60.

Criterias of choice

1. In appearance.

When purchased in bulk, seafood looks smooth, clean, free of stains and impurities, with no visible damage to the shell. Quality shrimp has curved tails. The straight tail demonstrates the freezing of stale produce.

The ice layer cannot be more than one millimeter, and the presence of snow flakes indicates a violation of the storage temperature. Unscrupulous sellers increase the ice layer to increase the mass of the goods.

According to the legislation, no more than 7% ice glaze is allowed!

2. By color.

Fresh food has a grayish green appearance, while boiled food has a light pink appearance. Pregnant specimens with caviar and delicious meat are given a red-brown head. The greenish tint shows that plankton was the basis of the crustacean's food, which does not impair the beneficial properties. White spots on the carapace indicate a chill. A sign of a sick individual is a black head color.

Don't listen to sellers and don't waste money buying hot pink or orange shrimp!

3. By size.

Representatives of the same species have the same size, so when buying, you need to pay attention to the digital designations:

• small, suitable for salads - 90/120;
• medium - 50/70, 70/90;
• large - 40/60;
• brindle - 21/25.

The more copies, the fewer the numbers!

4. By packaging.

It is better to choose crustaceans in labeled packages with detailed information about the product and manufacturer, time of manufacture and expiration date. When buying by weight, you can choose one by one and they will not cost so much.

5. By packaging.

The material is selected to be durable and provide vacuum storage of products. However, unscrupulous suppliers regularly try to hide substandard goods in an opaque plastic bag. You should be careful and know what to look for in order to avoid mistakes when choosing.

No need to purchase a product that cannot be viewed!

What to buy

1. The tastiest ones are those that lived in the natural environment and were caught in cold waters. According to Roskachestvo, the Fish House brand has the highest rating.
2. The most inexpensive - in large supermarkets Auchan, Karusel when buying by weight.
3. The most useful are those caught in ecologically clean cold waters, where they ate plankton. It is better to give preference to unpeeled and raw ice creams that have retained their beneficial properties.

The popularity of the models is due to the maximum combination of the best qualities and properties. Packaging from many manufacturers contains ready-made recipes - how to cook at home and how much to cook your own frozen crustacean dishes.

If you are prone to allergies, be careful when eating shrimp!

Where can I buy

Frozen crustaceans can be found in almost all fish shops and large supermarkets. On the shelves there are different types of products from different manufacturers - budget by weight or premium. With such a variety of choices, it is important to know how to choose a natural product, which one is better to buy, how much it costs and characteristics.

In addition, frozen food is easy to order online from the online store of suppliers or authorized distributors.In this case, you can use the Yandex.Market aggregator, where the best manufacturers are presented with direct links to the offers of sellers, as well as advice and recommendations on which company is better to purchase the product.

Best frozen shrimp brands for 2020

The review is compiled of the best brands, the rating of which is based on popularity in the opinion of buyers in the Yandex.Market service, research results according to Roskontrol and Roskachestvo. Customer reviews on the pages of suppliers and supermarkets did not go unnoticed. The list includes popular models of the main types of products by processing method: raw-frozen and boiled-frozen.

TOP 5 best brands of raw frozen shrimp

Forstar Headless Bathtub 16/20

Brand - Forstar (India).
Manufacturer - FORSTAR FROZEN FOODS PVT. LTD (India).

Indian products with headless seafood baths, grown in the warm waters of aqua farms, and are large and low in fat. Juicy and tender meat is rich in complete proteins, iodine, calcium and zinc. The use of technology with the function of instant freezing preserves useful trace elements for a long shelf life.

Can be used as a stand-alone dish or as a main ingredient in salads. The finest examples are best grilled, steamed, used as a sushi filling, or used to decorate various dishes.

The shelf life is 24 months. It is sold at a price of 1150 rubles per kilogram.

• safe;
• large size;
• juicy tender meat, rich in nutrients;
• long shelf life.

• high price.

"Ocean of Vkusa", brindle headless, 26/30

Brand - Ocean Vkusa (Russia).
Manufacturer - Novo-Mar LLC (Russia).
The region of cultivation is the states of Southeast Asia.

Large decapod crustaceans with dark stripes on the body are grown on aqua farms in the northwest Pacific Ocean (FAO61), including those made in China. They are distinguished by their large size, juicy and tender meat. A special freezing technology preserves most of the nutrients and trace elements. The glaze content complies with the established standards of 7%.

Such specimens turn out to be especially tasty when roasted in a pan, grill or microwave. Suitable for self-consumption or as an addition to warm salads.

They are sold at a price of 840 rubles for a package of 850 grams.

• safe;
• large sizes;
• tender tasty meat;
• high content of useful microelements;
• not much glaze.

• not explicitly identified for their class.

Horeca Select Royal 26/30

Brand - Horeca Select (Russia).
Manufacturer - Metro C&C
Growing area - aqua farm in India.

Refined large-scale products of the Russian trade mark based on raw materials from India. On large specimens, a little glaze in accordance with the 7% norm. The form of release and processing allows you to keep tails and whiskers without damage.

In the retail network, they are sold at a price of 910 rubles.

• excellent appearance;
• great taste with a delicate aroma;
• high content of nutrients;
• fast cooking;
• good quality.

• high price.

Vici, Priority, 20/30

Trade mark - Vici (Lithuania).
Manufacturer - LLC "Vichyunay-Rus" (Russia).
Catch area - Argentine waters of the South Atlantic.

The large specimens caught were immediately deep-frozen, thus retaining their delicate texture, taste and color. Products of the Lithuanian brand, but not Argentinean, but Russian. Free of impurities, odor and taste.

The cost in the absence of shares is from 1290 rubles.

• safe;
• non-rubbery delicate taste;
• a lot of meat, minerals and vitamins;
• little moisture;
• fast cooking.

• complex cleaning;
• high price.

Agama Royal Size 8

Brand - Agama (Russia).
Manufacturer - Agama Royal Greenland LLC (Russia).
Growing area - inland waters of Indonesia.

Juicy raw frozen specimens weighing up to 18 grams are perfect for a picnic or a country table. Natural large products without dyes and preservatives. Grown in artificial conditions on aqua farms.

Shelf life is 9 months. In stores without a promotion, it is sold at prices from 1480 rubles.

• do not stick together;
• safe;
• fresh;
• high quality.

• the price is too high without a stock;
• the glaze content exceeds the norm of 7%.

comparison table

Trademark	Composition			Calorie content, kcal	Size range	Weight, g
	Protein	Fats	Carbohydrates			general	without glaze
Forstar	17.3	0.4	0.9	77	large, 16/20	1000	930 (-7%)
"Ocean of Taste"	19.2	0.6	0	89	large, 26/30	850	790 (-7%)
Horeca select	17.3	0.3	0.3	73	large, 26/30	860	800 (-7%)
Vici	24.3	0.8	1.5	110	large, 20/30	1000	930 (-7%)
Agama	17.3	1.1	0	79.1	size No. 8	850	794 (-7%)

TOP 7 best brands of boiled and frozen shrimp

New Ocean, unrefined, 90/120

Brand - "New Ocean" (Russia).
Manufacturer - Promore LLC (Russia).
Catch area - North Atlantic (Greenland).

Fresh and clean Russian-made products without damage to small sizes. There is no excess in the composition of heavy metals and toxic substances. Caught in the natural environment, the presence of antibiotics has not been identified.

The values ​​of microbiological indicators are in accordance with the established standards. The glaze content is 7%, but there is a lot of moisture. There are no unpleasant odors with a foreign taste. The total weight is as indicated on the package.

Sold at a price of 510 rubles per kilogram.

• no dyes or preservatives;
• safe;
• not infested with parasites;
• there are no foreign impurities;
• a lot of phosphates.

• a lot of moisture;
• the protein content does not correspond to that indicated on the label according to the Roskachestvo examination.

First thing, North Atlantic, 90/120

Brand - "First thing" (Russia).
Manufacturer - Agama Royal Greenland LLC (Russia).
Catch area - North Atlantic (Greenland).

Pure and fresh Russian-made products without exceeding the standards for the content of toxic substances. Caught in an ecologically clean region of the North Atlantic, feeding on natural plankton, no antibiotics.

Microbiological indicators within the established norms. The glaze content is normal 7%. There is no foreign matter and smell. Lots of phosphorus. The actual weight corresponds to the indicated on the package.

You can buy a package weighing one kilogram for 580 rubles.

• safe;
• no dyes or preservatives;
• fresh;
• are not affected by parasites;
• there are no foreign impurities;
• rich in phosphorus.

• a lot of moisture;
• the declared protein content does not always correspond to that indicated on the package according to the expertise of Roskachestvo;
• the appearance is sometimes unpresentable.

"Bay of Plenty", selected "Northern", 70/90

Brand - "Bay of Plenty" (Russia).
Manufacturer - Agama Royal Greenland LLC (Russia).
Catch area - North Atlantic (Greenland).

Fresh produce from the ecologically clean region of the North Atlantic. The content of toxic substances and heavy metals is not exceeded. No evidence of antibiotics present.

The values ​​of microbiological indicators are within normal limits. Dyes and preservatives were not detected according to the results of research by Roskachestvo. Free of foreign odors and impurities. However, the number of crustaceans in the package was not as specified. After defrosting, the food is undamaged, fresh and clean. Actual weight as indicated on the label.

You can buy at a price of 980 rubles for a package of 850 grams.

• safe;
• fresh;
• no preservatives or dyes;
• are not affected by parasites;
• there are no harmful impurities;
• humidity is normal;
• glaze according to the norm.

• sometimes the quantity does not match the one indicated on the package;
• the protein content differs from that indicated on the marking according to the examination of Roskachestvo;
• high price.

Fine Life, Royal, 41/50

Brand - Fine Life (Russia).
Manufacturer - Novo-Mar LLC (Russia).
Growing area - farms in the waters of Ecuador.

Pure products of the same size without damaging the Russian-made shell. The values ​​of microbiological indicators are normal. There are no impurities. The glaze content is not more than the norm of 7%. There are no parasites, no antibiotics have been identified.

Shelf life is 9 months. In the store you can find a package of 850 grams for 618 rubles.

• safe;
• fresh;
• no dyes or preservatives;
• parasites are absent;
• there are no foreign impurities;
• humidity is normal;
• there is little ice.

• the number may differ from that indicated on the package;
• according to Roskachestvo's check, the protein content does not correspond to the description.

Agama, XXL Royal, 5/10

Brand - Agama (Russia).
Manufacturer - Agama Royal Greenland LLC (Russia).
Growing area - aqua farm in Ecuador.

Fresh shrimps after defrosting without damage of Russian production. The content of toxic substances and heavy metals is normal. There were no signs of the presence of antibiotics. There are no parasites and impurities. The glaze content is within the normal range of 7%.

Sold at prices from 980 rubles per 700 gram package.

• safe;
• there are no preservatives and dyes;
• fresh;
• parasites have not been identified;
• without impurities;
• humidity is normal;
• little ice.

• the number of copies when checking Roskachestvo did not correspond to the declared one;
• high price.

Polar, premium, 60/80

Brand - Polar (Russia).
Manufacturer - Polar Seafood Russia LLC (Russia).
Catch area - North Atlantic (Greenland).

Pure fresh products without damaging the shell of the same size range of Russian production. Curved appearance. The color is characteristic of this species. Juicy and dense texture of tender meat.

After defrosting, the taste is pleasant, characteristic of boiled crustacean meat without foreign smell. There are no additional impurities.

It can be purchased at a price of 680 rubles for a package of 850 grams.

• safe;
• fresh;
• without impurities;
• there are no preservatives and dyes;
• meet with caviar;
• not frozen.

• glaze content is more than 7%.

Fish House, medium, 60/80

Brand - Fish House (Russia).
Manufacturer - Polar Seafood Russia LLC (Russia).
Catch area - North Atlantic (Greenland).

Fresh pure product of Russian production without damaging the shell of the same size range. The content of toxic substances and heavy metals is not exceeded. There were no signs of antibiotics. Microbiological indicators within the established norms. Glazes are more than the established norm.

The product is of the middle price category, for a package of 500 grams, you can pay from 260 rubles.

• safe;
• fresh;
• there are no preservatives and dyes;
• parasites were not found;
• without impurities;
• good taste;
• affordable average price.

• excess moisture;
• the glaze content exceeds the established norm of 7%.

comparison table

Trademark	Composition			Calorie content, kcal	Size range	Weight, g
	Protein	Fats	Carbohydrates			general	without glaze
"New Ocean"	19	2	4.5	120	small, 90/120	1000	930 (-7%)
"First thing"	18	0.7	0	84	small, 90/120	1000	930 (-7%)
"Bay of Plenty"	18.3	0.7	0	79.5	medium, 70/90	850	791 (-7%)
Fine life	18.2	0.8	0	79	medium, 41/50	850	790 (-7%)
Agama	16.7	0.79	0	73.9	large, 5/10	700	651 (-7%)
Polar	17	1.2	1	80	medium, 60/80	850	731 (-7%=744)
Fish house	18.3	0.7	0	79.5	medium, 60/80	500	430 (-7%=465)

Conclusion

Frozen shrimps are made using special technologies for fast freezing of freshly caught seafood in ecologically clean areas of the World Ocean or grown on special aqua farms under constant control.This natural delicacy is a storehouse of useful substances and microelements that have a beneficial effect on the body in the absence of contraindications.

The brands presented in the review have been supplying frozen seafood for a long time, despite the remoteness from their habitats. The production technology has already been worked out and there is no need to worry that second-rate goods are supplied to the market. In addition, almost all of them successfully passed the examination according to the version of Roskachestvo, Roskontrol and Test Purchase, which demonstrates high quality.

At the same time, everyone has their own personal preferences and in order to choose the best option, it is better to try options from different manufacturers.

Happy shopping and good luck!