Species

Pacific White

Scientific name : Penaeus vannamei, P. stylirostris
Market name : Western White Shrimp, Western Blue Shrimp
Common name : White-leg, Mexican white, Pacific white, Ecuadoran white (vannamei), blue shrimp, steelies (stylirostris)

Pacific white shrimp is the leading farm-raised species in the Western hemisphere. White shrimp can reach a maximum length of 230 millimeters.

There are two kinds of Pacific White , vannamei and stylirostris. Though often mixed together and sold under the same name, these two species have different identities. Vannamei are creamy white while stylirostris are white with greenish or bluish tint. Both species grow in warm water but stylirostriscan survive lower water temperatures than vannamei and like higher oxygen , salinity and protein levels. The source of white shrimp are the Pacific coast of South America and Central America (from Peru to Mexico). Global suppliers of Pacific White shrimps are Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru and the United States.

The flavor of Pacific White shrimp is sweet, and mild. The cooked shrimp turns to whitish pink and the meat is firm. It can be broiled, grilled, sauteed or steamed.