Eat fresh shrimps in Malaga is to enjoy the authentic flavor of fresh seafood. Cooked or grilled, they stand out for their juicy texture and perfect salt content. At a beach bar by the sea or at the market, they are a simple and delicious option for those looking to try them. a high quality product and one of the most valuable in Andalusia.
However, when we are served shrimp or go to buy them, we may notice that the heads of some have a dark or black tone. This makes many people reluctant to try seafood, but what is the reason for this reaction?
This is the reason why shrimp heads turn black
A fishmonger from Malaga talks about this blackening of the shrimp on his TikTok account, @pescaderotiktokero, employee of the Paco fish market: “We are afraid when the heads of the shrimp turn black. However, even if their heads turn black, we can continue to consume them without any problem“, he emphasizes firstly, explaining in turn that “This is an enzymatic-oxidative process by which the melanosis reaction occurs.; melanin appears. Although it would be nice to eat them even if they are black, this indicates that they have not been properly stored. Therefore, to prevent this process from happening, this fishmonger from Malaga recommends preserving the shrimp “with water and salt because, in this way, we lower the temperature and cut off the enzymatic reaction. Or put lemons in water and this increase in acidity will also stop melanosis.
Another problem that this worker at Pescadería Paco, located on Martínez Maldonado Street in Málaga, faces is the reluctance of many consumers to suck the heads of shrimp or prawns. Indeed, “this is the place, even if it is a delicate dish, where the cholesterol is found”. And this, in turn, comes for another reason, namely that “frozen shrimp is treated with sulfite and ascorbic acid, which are strong allergens and It is in the head that they accumulate in greatest quantities, which can cause allergic reactions.“. This is why “many people think they are allergic to shrimp, when they are actually allergic to shrimp preservatives.” However, this fishmonger concludes by saying that “with fresh shrimp, we have no problems. And, for God’s sake, suck your heads; “It’s the best seafood.”
