Taster's Choice | Frozen shrimp tempura
My family members love the light and airy breading on Japanese-style shrimp tempura. But, after countless efforts of mixing wheat flour and really cold water, I decided it was easier to order takeout. That was until I started noticing frozen shrimp tempura in local grocery stores. At first, I only spotted one brand. Lately, though, we've started seeing the frozen shrimp everywhere we've shopped. Taster's Choice tried four brands of shrimp tempura and found a couple we'll be warming in our ovens this holiday season, once we've had our fill of traditional meals. Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent
Product/Score
(out of 100)
SeaPak/64
Great Value/46
Tiger Thai/41
Blue Horizon/19
Product serving size
4.1 ounces
4 ounces
1.6 ounces
3 ounces
Calories
240
270
70
160
Fat/fiber
8g / 7g
14g / 1g
3g / 0g
1.5g / 1g
Sugars/sodium
13g / 570mg
3g / 760mg
0g / 50mg
0g / 290mg
Carbs/protein
35g / 9g
29g / 7g
7g / 3g
22g / 15g
Judges'
comments
SeaPak
It's an oxymoron, but these shrimp were big. Judges liked the pale golden color, the crunchy coating and the nonfishy flavor. They were greasy, but, as our judges allowed, they were fried, after all. "I like the nice tail to hold," one panelist said. Another said, "These could be from a Japanese restaurant — they are excellent!"
Great Value
The shrimp were the real attraction here. Judges said they were fresh, firm and fabulous. One judge said, "You have to like this batter!" A couple of panelists raved about the light oil flavor. "It makes the fish taste like it's right out of the pan," one said. Another said, "These look like catered shrimp at a very nice wedding rehearsal supper."
Tiger Thai
Beautiful and big were words judges used to describe these shrimp. "They also have a nice, big flavor," one said. "These are the fullest shrimp with beautiful fanned tails that remind me of Daryl Hannah in Splash," another said.
Blue Horizon
Blue Horizon's shrimp seemed to be minced. The batter was soft, rather than crisp, and a bit soggy, even after baking in the oven. Judges said they were too salty. But, for those who prefer a smooth, rather than crunchy, tempura taste, these shrimp would work.
Would
they buy?
SeaPak
Two of the four judges said yes.
Great Value
Two of the four judges said yes.
Tiger Thai
Two of the four judges said yes.
Blue Horizon
None of the judges said yes.
Shopping information
Sea Pak
$7.59 for an 8.2-ounce box from Publix.
Great Value
$4.98 for a 12-ounce box from Walmart.
Tiger Thai
$7.99 for an 8-ounce box from Publix.
Blue Horizon
$3.99 for an 8-ounce box from Target.
Panelists: Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620; John Hehn, foodie and owner of All Brite Lighting & Power Design Inc.; Jim Yockey, aesthetician at Anu You Institute in St. Petersburg; and Janet Peterson, consumer and mother of two. All foods were tasted blind.
| Product Serving size | 4.1 ounces | 4 ounces | 1.6 ounces | 3 ounces |
| Calories | 240 | 270 | 70 | 160 |
| Fat/Fiber | 8g / 7g | 14g / 1g | 3g / 0g | 1.5g / 1g |
| Sugars/Sodium | 13g / 570mg | 3g / 760mg | 0g / 50mg | 0g / 290mg |
| Carbs/Protein | 35g / 9g | 29g / 7g | 7g / 3g | 22g / 15g |
My family members love the light and airy breading on Japanese-style shrimp tempura. But, after countless efforts of mixing wheat flour and really cold water, I decided it was easier to order takeout. That was until I started noticing frozen shrimp tempura in local grocery stores. At first, I only spotted one brand. Lately, though, we've started seeing the frozen shrimp everywhere we've shopped. Taster's Choice tried four brands of shrimp tempura and found a couple we'll be warming in our ovens this holiday season, once we've had our fill of traditional meals.
Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent
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