Choosing the Perfect Shrimp for Aguachile

Selecting the Best Shrimp for Authentic Aguachile

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-396-GAS
Published in 06-14-2024

Aguachile

Aguachile is a fresh and tasty dish originating from the western coast of Mexico, which is consumed mainly in the northwest, in a region that covers the states of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Sonora and Baja California. It is characterized by its simplicity and the explosion of flavors provided by the combination of fresh and spicy ingredients.

The best shrimp for aguachile is fresh, high-quality shrimp, specifically raw sashimi-grade shrimp. This means that shrimp should preferably be wild caught, handled properly, and refrigerated at the proper temperature to ensure freshness and safety.

Specific types of shrimp recommended for aguachile in order of best flavor.
1- Wild estuary shrimp: Estuary shrimp generally has a more intense and sweeter flavor than farmed shrimp. Estuary shrimp has a firm texture and a very peculiar flavor.
2- Farmed or farmed shrimp: Farmed shrimp is known for its firm texture and slightly less salty, or less intense, flavor.
3- Sea shrimp: Its firm and salty texture, intense sea flavor. The texture of its meat is more compact, but you can also prepare a pretty decent aguachile.
4- Prawn shrimp: Prawn shrimp is a larger, meatier option that is perfect for hearty aguachiles. The flavor is less penetrating because it is fresh water.

The Ultimate Guide to Picking Shrimp for Aguachile

The following characteristics are ideal for shrimp in aguachile.

a) Size: Medium to large shrimp are generally most preferred as they offer a good balance of flavor and texture.
b) Firmness: The shrimp should be firm and elastic to the touch, not soft or flaccid.
c) Appearance: The shell should be shiny and translucent, without spots or discolorations. The meat should be pearly white, without dark spots.
d) Smell: Fresh shrimp should have a mild sea smell, not a strong fishy or ammoniacal smell.

Final Recommendations
1- If you cannot find raw sashimi grade shrimp, you can freeze fresh shrimp and thaw it before using. However, keep in mind that frozen shrimp may have a slightly less firm texture.
2- Be sure to clean and devein the shrimp carefully before using it.
3- Marinate the shrimp in the lemon juice and other aguachile ingredients only for the time necessary for it to cook, generally 5 to 10 minutes. Do not marinate the shrimp for too long as it will become too soft.