CATEGORY

Canned Shrimp

2008 CHEFSBEST® AWARD FOR BEST TASTE WINNER

Chicken of the Sea International

What Makes Great Canned Shrimp?

For small gatherings and cocktail parties, there’s nothing like good shrimp appetizers to break the ice. Shrimp is of course a crucial component of ceviche, and when it comes to stir-fry dishes, pastas and salads, shrimp can also be a light and versatile protein that mixes well with all sorts of spices, sauces and curries. It’s easy to throw shrimp dishes together in no time when you have canned shrimp ready in your pantry.

Our chefs define high quality canned tiny shrimp as having a natural pink or orange color, with at least two-thirds of the shrimp fully intact and unbroken in the can. The shrimp should not appear to be shredded or over-processed. The shrimp's aroma intensity should be low, but fresh and clean with no hint of old seawater or fishy notes; rather, look for notes of shrimp, brine, natural sweetness and fresh seawater in the aroma. Also, no off notes should be present, including packaging or metallic notes.

Canned shrimp is in taste balance when a moderate level of saltiness is the most evident basic taste. Sweetness that comes naturally from the shrimp should be lower than the saltiness, but still discernible. Sourness should be, at most, minimal.

In canned shrimp's flavor profile, shrimp flavor should be the predominant flavor, albeit at a low level. Brine flavor should be at an even lower intensity. The flavor character should correspond accordingly to the shrimp's aroma character, delivering similar notes of shrimp, brine, natural sweetness and fresh seawater.

The texture of a top quality canned shrimp should be soft, fairly moist and never gritty, delivering a meaty chew rather than a mushy one. The dissolve should be moderate in length, and the shrimp should take an enjoyable amount of time to chew and clear the palate completely. Particulate content — such as grit, sand or shells — should remain minimal.

When served as part of ceviche, shrimp's role should be more subdued among the range of other powerful flavors (cilantro, onion, lime juice) on hand. But when served in a salad, with pasta, in a stir-fry dish or simply eaten on its own, a good canned shrimp should be the delectably chewy centerpiece of the meal.

Product Category Definition

The category judged was defined for the consumermarket, not including other canned seafood or proteins, such as tuna, salmon, or chicken, or fresh, refrigerated or frozen shrimp.

Also Judged:

Bumble Bee Foods