Fish

Penaeus vannamei

B tier

Penaeus vannamei, the whiteleg shrimp of the eastern Pacific, is now the world’s dominant farmed penaeid, raised from Ecuador and Mexico to Southeast Asia. Raw shells are pale grey-translucent; cooked meat turns pink-white, mild, and tender with a gentle sweetness rather than strong iodine. Uniform sizes suit industrial peeling and global frozen supply. Ideal for everyday stir-fries, curries, garlic skillets, and cold cocktail service when quality packs are well frozen. Thaw slowly, pat dry, and cook only until just opaque—farmed vannamei overcooks into rubber quickly. Prefer head-on or shell-on when possible for better flavour in sauces.