Fresh prawn FAQs
Freshness, storage, count, edible yield, cleaning and delivery — the questions Hyderabad prawn buyers ask most.
Will the prawns smell fishy?
Fresh prawns smell faintly of the sea, not "fishy". A strong fishy or ammonia smell means the prawn is old, or has been frozen and thawed. Ours are pond-direct, kept ice-cold, never frozen, and cleaned to order — so they arrive smelling clean and fresh.
Are the prawns fresh or previously frozen?
Never frozen. They come straight from our own Andhra ponds and stay on an unbroken 0–4 °C cold chain all the way to your door, delivered chilled on ice — not block-frozen and thawed like most "fresh" seafood online.
How should I store them at home?
Keep them in the coldest part of your fridge (0–4 °C) and cook within a day for the best taste and texture. If you need longer, freeze them as soon as they arrive — and don't refreeze once they've thawed.
What does "count" mean, and which size should I pick?
Count is the number of prawns per kilogram — a lower count means bigger prawns. Roughly: 40–60 count = medium (great for everyday curry and fry), and 20–30 count = large or jumbo (for grills, roasts and special meals).
How much edible prawn do I actually get from 1 kg?
From 1 kg of whole prawns you get about 700 g headless shell-on, or about 600 g peeled & deveined. The head is roughly a third of a whole prawn — which is exactly why our base is headless, so you pay for meat, not waste.
How are they cleaned — can I choose the cut?
Yes. Choose whole, headless shell-on, or peeled & deveined. Everything is cleaned to order so it's prepped fresh for your delivery, never sitting around pre-cut.
Do you add any chemicals or preservatives?
No. No sulphites and no STPP (phosphate soak). We don't use chemicals to plump the prawns, fake their weight, or mask age — just prawns, ice, and clean handling.
How do you keep them cold and safe during delivery?
An unbroken 0–4 °C cold chain from pond to door. The prawns travel chilled on ice and are handed over cold — and every order is backed by our freshness guarantee: not fresh on arrival, full refund.
Are you FSSAI registered?
Yes. ShrimpLi Foods is FSSAI-licensed — licence no. 20126262000270. Every pack carries the FSSAI number, the non-veg mark, ingredients, net weight, storage instructions and a use-by date, exactly as food-safety rules require.
Where do you deliver, and when?
Across Hyderabad on Wednesdays and Sundays (subscription), plus pickup from our Manikonda hub 7 days a week. Enter your pincode in the checker on the shop page to confirm your area.
How long will the prawns keep?
For the best flavour, cook within about a day of delivery while they're at their freshest. If you can't, freeze them on arrival and use within a couple of months.