Among the many varieties of seafood, shrimp ranks as one of America's most favorite. Even people who dislike fish seem to enjoy shrimp and there is an endless number of ways in which shrimp may be prepared. The dense white meat of shrimp has a fresh, mild flavor that combines well with many ingredients. Shrimp is great for dieters as they are very low in fat and calories; however, they contain a greater level of cholesterol than most seafood so that must be taken into consideration if anyone has been advised by their physician to limit their cholesterol intake.

Of the numerous species of shrimp sold worldwide, saltwater shrimp are generally designated as 'cold water' or 'warm water' species. Cold water shrimp are caught in the North Atlantic and northern Pacific waters while warm water shrimp are caught in tropical waters. The majority of warm water shrimp available in the United States are harvested from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic. These shrimp are generally classified by the color of the shells (i.e., pink, brown and white shrimp). The differences in appearance and flavor are difficult to distinguish but it is thought that the Gulf white shrimp (although the most expensive) are the most desirable.

Shrimp come in a wide range of sizes; naturally, the larger the shrimp, the higher the price. Size classifications range from Tiny (150 to 180 shrimp per pound) to Colossal (10 shrimp or less per pound). Although larger shrimp may cost more per pound and be easier to prepare (because you will have less of them), they don't necessarily taste any better than the smaller ones.

BUYING AND STORING SHRIMP...

Shrimp are not inexpensive, so you will want to be certain that the shrimp you buy are the best quality. Follow the guidelines below when purchasing and storing shrimp:

When buying shrimp:

Purchase frozen shrimp with their shells on if possible. Most all shrimp are frozen as soon as they're processed, and the longer they stay frozen, the fresher they'll be.

Look for shrimp with firm white meat and a full shell. Avoid frozen shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined, as the shrimp will be less protected against freezer burn without its shell.

Do not buy shrimp with black spots or rings (unless it's black tiger shrimp) as this indicates the meat is starting to break down. Also avoid pink meat.

Make sure the shell is not yellow - this indicates that the shrimp has been bleached.

Avoid shrimp that smells of anything other than salt water. It should have a clean smell with no trace of ammonia or bleach.

Be cautious of labels such as