Factors Affecting Texture of Cocktail Shrimp*

Texture of shrimp was influenced by pH, cooking time, and length of storage but not by the method of thawing the raw product or the soluble solids contents of the sauce. Shrimp cooked for 2, 5, 10, and 15 min required larger forces to shear than raw shrimp. Larger shear forces were also found with lengthening either the cooking or the storage periods. Shrimps packed in cocktail sauce maintained at pH 6.0 or 8.0 were more tender than those packed at pH 4.0.