A Culinary History of Shrimp

Shrimp are a delicacy that can be found in a large variety of recipes all over the world. Being a staple in Ancient Roman, Greek and Chinese diets, shrimp are a versatile food with a multitude of healthy nutritional benefits. Making their way to the United States during the 17 ^th century, shrimp began a cultural wave in Louisiana through the creation of Creole and Cajun-style foods. With technological development and the introduction of easier methods of shrimp collecting, shrimp quickly became the most popular shellfish in the U.S., creating the delicious recipes that you know and love today. Take a journey with all of us at Biloxi Shrimp Co. through the culinary history of shrimp!

Early History

Shrimp have been a valued and delectable food item since the earliest of times. Throughout the Ancient Roman and Greek era, it was discovered that people made cookbooks with recipes featuring shrimp as early as the 4 ^th and 5^th century A.D. One dish that was popular during this time included wrapping the shrimp in fig leaves, cooking them and serving them with a honey glaze.

In 1280, Marco Polo learned about the nutritious value of shrimp during his travels to China. He discovered that shrimp were a heavy influence on Chinese diets since the 7 ^th century due to their nutritious and versatile nature. While shrimp were an incredibly popular food choice during this time, they are also still incorporated into many present-day Chinese dishes.

Shrimp in the United States

Shrimp collecting methods were introduced to the United States during the 17 ^th century. Because shrimp could primarily be found in the Louisiana bayou, this made shrimp a popular ingredient to the Southern region of America. This is how some of New Orleans's most popular dishes were created, making the classic Creole and Cajun-style meals unique to the Louisiana area that we love today.

The Popularization of Shrimp

With the creation of mechanized shrimp harvesting in 1917, shrimp became easier and quicker to collect and ship across the country. This is how shrimp became more accessible to regions all over the nation, making shrimp a more popularized delicacy found in households of any state. With this sudden boom in popularity, some of the most widely known dishes were created, including shrimp and grits, gumbo, fried shrimp and more. Shrimp cocktail, another prominent recipe found in the U.S., was also created in 1918, quickly cementing itself as a classic party dish.

Make Your Own Delicious Shrimp Recipe

For hundreds of years, shrimp have been a perfect addition to any meal including salads, sandwiches and more. At Biloxi Shrimp Co., we have a variety of delicious shrimp recipes that our customers are free to use. Whether you’re looking for something new to make or re-creating an old classic, we have recipes that everyone in your family is sure to love. Visit our shrimp recipes page for some culinary inspiration and order with us today!