What is the difference between prawns shrimp and langoustines?

Prawns, shrimp, and langoustines are all crustaceans, but they belong to different families and have some key differences.

* Prawns are the largest of the three, and they have a long, slender body with a pair of large claws on the front. Prawns are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters, and they are often used in curries, stir-fries, and other Asian dishes.

* Shrimp are smaller than prawns, and they have a shorter, more stocky body. Shrimp also have two pairs of claws, but they are not as large as the claws of prawns. Shrimp are found in both fresh and saltwater, and they are used in a wide variety of dishes around the world.

* Langoustines are the smallest of the three, and they have a long, slender body with a pair of small claws on the front. Langoustines are typically found in cold waters, and they are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. They are often grilled, roasted, or steamed.

Here is a table summarizing the key differences between prawns, shrimp, and langoustines:

| Feature | Prawn | Shrimp | Langoustine |

|---|---|---|---|

| Size | Largest | Smallest | Medium |

| Body shape | Long, slender | Short, stocky | Long, slender |

| Claws | Two large claws | Two pairs of small claws | Two small claws |

| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical waters | Fresh and saltwater | Cold waters |

| Use | Curries, stir-fries, other Asian dishes | Wide variety of dishes | Grilled, roasted, steamed |

Ultimately, the best way to tell the difference between prawns, shrimp, and langoustines is to look at their size, body shape, claws, and habitat.