toothpick to gently lift the dark material.
Pull it away and discard it.
Step 4: Rinse if Needed
If necessary, briefly rinse the shrimp under cold running water and pat them dry.
Avoid unnecessary washing of raw seafood around the kitchen, since splashing can spread bacteria to nearby surfaces.
What About the Underside?
Shrimp can also have a visible line along the underside.
This is not the same structure as the dark digestive tract on the back.
Some cooks remove it for appearance or texture, but it isn’t generally necessary.
The More Important Issue: Cooking Shrimp Safely
Whether or not you remove the dark line isn’t the biggest food-safety concern.
Proper handling and cooking matter much more.
Keep raw shrimp refrigerated until you’re ready to prepare them.
Avoid leaving raw seafood at room temperature for extended periods, and keep raw shrimp separate from foods that won’t be cooked.
When cooking,
