Shrimp Paste

Shrimp Paste (ka-pi)

Shrimp paste is an essential and treasured source of flavor and texture in curry pastes and in nahm prik, hot chile dipping sauce. Made from tiny shrimp which are boiled, peeled, salted, dried, and then ground to a fine, sturdy, and very aromatic paste, with a firm but moist texture. It packs a powerful scent and super-salty flavor, but it melds into curry paste without a trace of its original intensity. The amazing thing about shrimp paste is that once it's cooked the flavor and odor mellow into a lovely background taste, much as anchovies melt into a sauce and provide a salty, nuanced undertone.

NET WT: 227 G. (8 OZ.)