Do you cook prawns without removing the black vein? Here’s why you shouldn’t

The Common Mistake
Many people who cook at home overlook a tiny but crucial step when they get prawns ready — taking out the black line that goes down their back. It may seem harmless, but skipping this can affect both the taste and safety of your meal. Cleaning shrimp properly not only enhances flavour and texture but also prevents potential exposure to unwanted toxins or grit. (Image: Canva)

What Is the Black Line?
This dark streak isn't a vein but the shrimp's gut, which holds undigested food, sand, and waste. Based on where the prawns lived, it might also have harmful germs or poisons from dirty waters, so cleaning it out matters more than just looks. (Image: Canva)

Does It Affect Health?
Food experts say that while cooking kills most germs, the leftover waste and grit can still upset your stomach or cause mild food poisoning if you eat it often. The gut might store toxins from polluted water, which could irritate or inflame the gut or trigger allergies in some people. (Image: Canva)

Taste and Texture Issues
From a cooking standpoint, prawns that haven't been deveined can have a bitter or muddy flavour in light dishes. The rough feel from sand and waste can spoil the smooth texture and mild sweetness that people love about good shrimp. Removing the black line ensures a cleaner, fresher bite. (Image: Canva)

Potential Stomach Issues
People with delicate digestion or mild seafood sensitivities might feel bloated, gassy, or queasy after eating shrimp that hasn't been cleaned. These reactions don't happen often, but they're more likely in folks with weaker stomachs or those who tend to have gut problems. (Image: Canva)

Rare But Dangerous Reactions
In rare cases, leftover toxins in the prawns' gut can set off allergic responses — skin rashes, bumps, or a feeling around the mouth and neck. Food safety experts stress that thorough cleaning matters most for pregnant women and the elderly. (Image: Canva)

Steps to Clean Prawns
Remove the shell, cut a thin line down the back, and take out the dark vein with a knife tip or toothpick. Wash under cold water to get rid of any leftover sand. For larger prawns, check for a second vein near the abdomen and remove that too for the best results. (Image: Canva)

Nutritional Value Remains the Same
Deveining doesn’t reduce the prawn's nutrition. Prawns remain a great source of low-fat protein, omega-3 fats, selenium, and vitamin B12 — nutrients that help keep your heart, brain, and immune system healthy. (Image: Canva)

Act of Care for Overall Health
Consider deveining as a gesture of thoughtfulness — not for your meal, but also for your well-being. Taking a few extra moments to clean prawns leads to a dish that's secure, tasty, and wholesome every time you make it. (Image: Canva)