Bon Manzé Prawns in Mauritius: how to choose the best
Prawns and shrimp are among the most-loved seafood in Mauritius. But between a mediocre piece hastily defrosted and a colossal, hand-cleaned prawn, the gap is enormous — and on a market stall or inside a frozen bag, it's hard to know what you're really buying.
This guide gives you the simple markers for choosing quality prawns and shrimp: the difference in grade, the freshness signs to check, why the organic OSO farm in Madagascar makes the difference, and how to have truly beautiful ones delivered across Mauritius, vacuum-packed, right to your door.
Prawn or shrimp: the difference that matters
The two are often confused, but it all comes down to grade. "Prawn" and "shrimp" describe closely related shellfish; the difference is mostly one of size and flesh. A prawn is large and meaty, with firm flesh that holds up to cooking; pink shrimp is finer and more delicate, perfect in a quick pan-fry or a salad.
The real professional marker isn't the name — it's the grade, expressed as the number of pieces per kg. The lower the number, the bigger the pieces. A prawn at 7-8 pieces per kg is called "colossal": each piece then weighs around 130 to 140 g. A small shrimp, by contrast, can run 60 to 80 pieces per kg.
Spotting a quality piece
A fine prawn or shrimp shows a few simple signs, in Mauritius as anywhere:
- The grade in pieces per kg — ours is stated clearly (7-8 pieces per kg for the OSO prawns).
- Firm, translucent flesh, never soft or cottony.
- A glossy shell, well attached to the flesh, with no blackened head.
- A mild, sea-fresh smell — never a whiff of ammonia, the sign of a piece that has turned.
- Traceability: origin, farm, farming method. A prawn whose provenance is known always beats an anonymous bag.
These same markers apply to everything from the sea: find them in our guide to fresh fish in Mauritius.
Why OSO Farm in Madagascar
Our prawns come from OSO Farm in Madagascar, a benchmark for responsible farming in the Indian Ocean. What sets them apart:
- Organic certified, raised to a strict set of standards.
- A colossal grade: 7-8 pieces per kg, rare to find on the island.
- Already cleaned and ready to cook — no tedious peeling: straight to the pan or the barbecue.
Madagascar's closeness also means a short, well-controlled cold chain: the pieces arrive vacuum-packed, at temperature, without the long transit that spoils shellfish.
Price & arrival
Our indicative prices (VAT included, subject to arrival, confirmed at weighing):
- Organic OSO prawns (Madagascar), colossal grade 7-8 pieces per kg, already cleaned: Rs 2,600/kg, VAT included — very limited quantities each arrival.
- Pink shrimp from Madagascar (same OSO farm), by arrival: around Rs 380 per 100 g, subject to arrival and availability.
- Sicilian pink shrimp: on request.
- Carley crab: Rs 2,100/kg · fresh octopus: Rs 1,200/kg.
Free delivery from Rs 1,500 · pay on delivery (cash or Juice MCB) · nothing is paid online · colossal prawns go fast: it's best to reserve as soon as an arrival is announced. See also our guide to delivery in Mauritius.
The perfect cooking
A colossal prawn asks for almost nothing — above all, don't overcook it:
- In a pan or on a plancha, very high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side, no more. The flesh should stay pearly, never rubbery.
- The crowd-pleaser: garlic, butter, parsley — a few seconds more just to coat.
- On the barbecue, whole in the shell: they keep all their juice and take on a light smoky note.
- Never overcook: as soon as the flesh turns from translucent to pearly white, it's done. Overcooked, a prawn goes dry and loses all its appeal.
Fancy some beautiful prawns?
Browse the menu and prices, or simply ask us whether an arrival of organic prawns is planned — we reply within minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a prawn and a shrimp?
Both describe closely related shellfish; the difference is mostly one of size and flesh. A prawn is large and meaty, with firm flesh that holds up to cooking; pink shrimp is finer and more delicate. The real marker is not the name but the grade, in pieces per kg: the lower the number, the bigger the pieces.
What does a grade of 7 to 8 pieces per kg mean?
It means 7 to 8 pieces make up a kilo, so around 130 to 140 g per prawn. That is a so-called colossal grade, rare and highly sought after. The grade is the only figure that objectively describes the size of the pieces.
Are the OSO prawns really organic?
Yes — our prawns come from OSO Farm in Madagascar, organic certified and raised to a strict set of standards. They arrive already cleaned and ready to cook, vacuum-packed and cold-chain kept.
Do prawns need peeling before cooking?
No — our OSO prawns arrive already cleaned and ready to cook. You can also cook them whole in the shell, especially on the barbecue, to keep all their juice.
How does delivery in Mauritius work?
Everything is vacuum-packed, cold-chain kept and delivered across Mauritius. Pay on delivery, in cash or by Juice MCB; nothing is paid online. Free delivery from Rs 1,500. Prices are indicative, VAT included, subject to arrival, confirmed at weighing.