THE SHORT ANSWER
Is shell-on shrimp better for grilling and searing?
Shell-on shrimp can develop more roasted shrimp aroma during dry-heat cooking. The shell may also buffer the flesh from direct heat, but that moisture-protection effect is not well quantified.
Moderate confidence
Shell changes roasted aroma and may change heat exposure during dry cooking.
The science in more detail
Roasted aroma compounds including pyrazines, thiazoles and thiazolines are strongly associated with shell and viscera. Shell also changes surface geometry and protects the flesh, though matched moisture-loss evidence is limited.
The moisture-protection benefit is plausible but not directly measured under matched shrimp dry-heat conditions.
Evidence behind the answer
This answer is linked to the research rule above. Confidence describes its evidence, not the review status of this page. We tell you when we don’t know.
- link.springer.com · s00217 018 3156 7 ↗
Linked research for: Shell changes roasted aroma and may change heat exposure during dry cooking.. Open the source to assess its methods and limitations.
We tell you when we don’t know.