Your shrimp arrives at the table. You’re salivating, ready to dive in. But then your gaze narrows in on the thin black line along the backs of each shellfish. As you’re about to rip into some prawns, the thought of “is that…shrimp poop?” and, perhaps more importantly, “is it okay for you to eat it?” passes you by.
The thought of eating poopy seafood makes me sick, but I didn’t want to give up shrimp just yet. I wanted to talk to food safety experts to find out what was really going on. Is that dark line really what it looks like? If so, should you be worried about eating it? Read on to find out what experts say.
As a seafood lover and home cook, I’ve prepared many pounds of shrimp in my day When deveining and butterflying these succulent shellfish, I’m always a little curious about that creepy black vein running along their backs. What exactly is that thing? And what is its purpose on a shrimp?
This strange shrimp vein has always puzzled me So I decided to do some digging to uncover the truth about this culinary curiosity Keep reading for the full scoop on the black vein inside shrimp!
What is the Black Vein on Shrimp?
The black vein found on the back of a shrimp is actually the crustacean’s digestive tract. Also called the intestinal vein sand vein or poop vein – this stringy black matter inside each shrimp is essentially its intestines.
This vein runs along the shrimp’s back from head to tail. It contains sand, debris, and waste particles that the shrimp has consumed. Kind of gross, right?
While the idea of eating shrimp intestines may seem unappetizing, the black vein itself is totally edible and safe to consume. Many cultures do not bother removing it before cooking shrimp.
However, the appearance of this vein puts off some Western cooks. So it’s become common practice to remove the black intestine line prior to eating shrimp in many places.
The Purpose of the Black Shrimp Vein
What is the function of this strange black vessel inside shrimp? Simply put, it serves as the shrimp’s digestive system.
Like humans, shrimp need a way to process the food they eat and expel waste. The black vein allows them to digest food and absorb nutrients while filtering out indigestible debris.
Juvenile shrimp start out eating mostly tiny plankton. As they grow, their diet expands to algae, smaller fish, and bits of decaying organic matter.
The black intestinal vein runs the length of a shrimp’s body, absorbing nutritional contents from food while eliminating waste particles like sand and grit. This leaves the rest of the shrimp’s flesh clean for human consumption!
Is the Black Vein Necessary to Remove?
Many shrimp you buy at the grocery store come with the black vein already removed, or “deveined.” This saves you the trouble and mess of removing it yourself at home.
Deveining shrimp is common in Western cuisine, but not mandatory. The black vein or intestine contains no toxins and will not make you sick if consumed.
However, some diners find the appearance of the black vein unsettling. It also can add a gritty, sandy texture if not removed.
In the end, it comes down to personal preference. If the look of the dark vein puts you off, it never hurts to devein your shrimp after purchase. But if you don’t mind it, it’s totally safe to cook and eat shrimp with the vein intact.
How to Remove the Black Vein from Shrimp
If you opt to devein your shrimp, here is a simple technique:
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Use a small, sharp paring knife to slice down the back of the shrimp, about 1/8 inch deep. You want to expose the black vein without cutting too deeply into the flesh.
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Use the tip of the knife to lift up one end of the cut vein, gripping it with your fingers if needed.
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Gently pull the vein out of the shrimp. It should remove cleanly in one piece.
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Rinse the shrimp under cool water, checking to ensure the vein is fully removed. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
Some people also use wooden skewers to “floss” the vein out once the cut is made. Work over a bowl to catch any juices.
Be sure your knife and hands are clean when prepping to prevent bacteria transfer. And don’t devein shrimp too far in advance, as they are perishable.
Does Deveining Affect Shrimp Flavor?
Luckily, removing the black intestinal vein does not affect the delicious taste of shrimp. The briny sweetness comes from the white flesh we eat, not the digestive tract.
In fact, deveining can enhance the flavor and texture of shrimp. With the gritty vein eliminated, the shrimp meat has a smoother consistency.
And you don’t have to worry about anyone getting grossed out or distracted by the unappetizing black line along shrimp tails and heads if hosting a dinner party!
Types of Shrimp Veins
Believe it or not, some shrimp varieties have colored veins other than black! These include:
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White/clear: Common in smaller bay and paella shrimp
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Green: Found in brine-raised shrimp
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Blue: Seen in the amaebi shrimp used for sushi
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Brown: Occurs in certain wild-caught shrimp
Despite the different hues, these veins all serve the same digestive function in shrimp bodies. The color varies based on diet and habitat.
No matter the color, these intestinal tracts can be removed before cooking if desired. Deveining shrimp is quick and easy no matter the species.
To Devein or Not To Devein?
While completely edible, this vein can be off-putting to some. I prefer to devein shrimp for a more appealing presentation.
However, leaving the vein in is an acceptable option if it doesn’t bother your sensibilities. Just be sure to rinse shrimp well if cooking with veins intact.
Now that you know all about this shrimp vein, hopefully it will hold less mystery and intrigue. Just think of it as a normal part of the shellfish’s anatomy as you dig in!
What do you think of the shrimp vein – to devein or not to devein? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this seafood preparation topic.
What’s that black line in shrimp?
The dark line running through the backs of shrimp goes by many names—the dorsal tract, back vein, or sand vein, Tori Stivers, MS, a seafood specialist at the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, tells SELF. The marking is made up of the shellfish’s stomach, midgut, and intestine. Those structures support the crustacean’s digestive process, so yes, that black stuff is the shrimp’s waste, she says.
As for what you’re actually seeing there? Shrimp are called bottom feeders for a reason: They munch on foods found in the muddy depths of the ocean, like plankton, worms, microscopic animals, and various types of organic debris like sand. So that black line is likely a combination of all those things in various stages of digestion, Dave Love, PhD, a senior scientist at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, tells SELF.
Can eating shrimp’s poop make you sick?
Having established that the dark line is the shrimp’s intestines (okay, its poop), should you be afraid to eat it? It might look gross, but most people agree that it’s safe to eat as long as you cook it properly.
“Eating the shrimp’s digestive tract doesn’t make you sick—as long as you cook it thoroughly,” says Dr. Love. That means steaming, baking, frying, or whichever way you’re craving it, until it reaches 145°F. At this internal temperature, the shrimp will take on a firm texture.
That’s not to say you can’t get sick from eating shrimp in general. You can, but Dr. Paul says that eating shellfish raw or not cooked enough is usually what makes people sick. Love. For instance, just like ground beef, raw shrimp can contain bacteria like E. coli. But if you cook it all the way through, the heat will kill the bacteria and any other pathogens that could be harmful before they can mess up your digestive tract. So if you want to eat shrimp with the vein still in it, you might want to avoid raw shrimp sashimi and instead try them in a curry, stir-fry, garlicky pasta, or zesty taco.
How to Devein Shell-On Shrimp Tutorial Video
What is the Black Thing on a shrimp back?
The black thing on the shrimp’s back is its digestive tract, filled with sand and other debris that the shrimp has consumed. It is safe to eat, but some people find it unappealing and choose to remove it before cooking and consuming shrimp. Is it common to find the black thing in all species of shrimp?
What is a black line on a shrimp?
It is the shrimp’s equivalent to our intestines. While this tiny black line may not look appetizing, it is generally safe to eat and is often consumed without removal. The dark color of the line comes from the shrimp’s natural pigment, which, when concentrated, appears black.
What does a black sand vein on a shrimp mean?
If you’ve ever cooked shrimp, you may have noticed a black colored vein running along the back of the shrimp. That black thing is actually the shrimp’s digestive tract, also known as the sand vein. It is the shrimp’s intestine and is filled with sand and other debris that the shrimp has eaten.
Why is my shrimp black?
The dark color of the line comes from the shrimp’s natural pigment, which, when concentrated, appears black. The purpose of this tract is to remove waste from the shrimp’s body. While it is technically edible, some individuals may choose to remove it due to personal preference or aesthetic reasons. 1.