The “Black Vein” Mystery: What Are You Actually Looking At?
If you’ve ever cleaned shrimp and wondered about that dark line running along the back, you aren’t alone. It is one of the most common kitchen questions, and there is a lot of misinformation out there.
Here is the breakdown of what that “vein” actually is and whether you really need to worry about it.
What Is It?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a vein or an artery. It is the shrimp’s alimentary canal, or digestive tract.
Just like other animals, shrimp have a digestive system that runs from their mouth to their anus. The dark or black color you see is the result of whatever the shrimp was eating, combined with sand or grit that the shrimp has ingested from its environment.
What Happens If You Eat It?
Pages: 1 2
