- Fresh shrimp should have a light smell and the sea, they should not have a strong or putrid smell. - Fresh shrimps have a dark pink-gray color. If the shrimps have a reddish shade, they have probably been frozen and thawed. - Fresh shrimps have a firm and elastic texture. If the shrimps are soft or rubberous, they are no longer fresh. - It is important to check where the shrimps come from, and make sure that they were caught in a responsible and sustainable manner.