Wild American Shrimp are naturally delicious either frozen or fresh. But if you’re buying fresh shrimp, how can you know your potential purchase is truly fresh?

• Shrimp that have been freshly caught still have the heads on. Heads should be removed before shrimp are frozen, to prevent mushy texture.
• Make sure there is no “fishy” smell. Fresh shrimp, like other seafood, should smell clean, like saltwater, or the sea.
• Next, press the body of the shrimp with your finger. If your finger leaves an indentation, that shrimp isn’t fresh. The flesh of a fresh one will spring back.
• Similarly, check the legs. Rub your finger along the legs, and if they easily come back in place, that is a fresh shrimp.
• Are the eyes intact and glossy? Choose those.

Here, Chef Todd Mohr shows what to look for at the seafood market (no matter where you are):

Now that you know you have fresh shrimp, here’s a dish to try from Chef Michael DeBuono:

Ruby Red Wild American Shrimp Ceviche