Animalscaretips
The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis; simplified Chinese: 大闸蟹; traditional Chinese: 大閘蟹; pinyin: dàzháxiè, lit. "big sluice crab"), also known as the Shanghai hairy crab (上海毛蟹, p Shànghǎi máoxiè), is a medium-sized burrowing crab that is named for its furry claws, which resemble mittens.
- Can crabs be hairy?
- Is hairy crab poisonous?
- Are hairy crabs edible?
- Why is hairy crab so expensive?
- What can you not eat with a hairy crab?
- Which is better male or female hairy crab?
- Are hairy crabs expensive?
- How do you eat hairy crabs?
- What is special about hairy crab?
- How can I enjoy my hairy crab?
- Is hairy crab good for you?
- Does male hairy crab have Roe?
- Do Japanese eat raw crab?
- How do you eat a Japanese hairy crab?
- When should I eat my hairy crab?
- How does hairy crab taste?
Can crabs be hairy?
Unfortunately, hairy-clawed crustaceans have been transported out of their native Asian waters and have invaded North America and Europe! They are better known as mitten crabs (Eriocheir sp.). ... They have dense amounts of setae, or hair, covering their claws causing them to resemble mittens, thus the name.
Is hairy crab poisonous?
The Common hairy crab eats mainly seaweed. It may also eat toxic zoanthids (colonial anemones) and this makes the crab mildly poisonous.
Are hairy crabs edible?
Hairy crabs are the great autumn delicacy of eastern China, and an obsession for those who can afford to eat them. ... Eating hairy crabs is a wild and messy business. You must pull off the legs and claws, prise open the shells and scrape, pick, suck and crunch until you have extracted every last, delicious morsel.
Why is hairy crab so expensive?
How much does a premium crab cost? The most coveted crabs are sourced from Yangcheng Lake in Jiangsu Province, and are exported to Shanghai and Hong Kong. ... The demand for hairy crab is so overwhelming that the emergence of “fake” crabs being passed off as Yangcheng Lake crabs is an annual problem for the industry.
What can you not eat with a hairy crab?
The persimmon, a sweet, autumnal fruit, should be avoided in consumption with hairy crab because persimmons contain high levels of tannins, which is said to coagulate with the rich proteins in hairy crabs to form tannic acid protein and cause disruption to stomach movements, induce vomit and indigestion.
Which is better male or female hairy crab?
Hairy crabs do not have a lot of meat, but both males and females yield the reddish-orange, fatty roe. The males have a pointy abdomen, have more meat than females, and are best in early autumn, around September. Females have a round abdomen with more gooey roe and are best enjoyed around November.
Are hairy crabs expensive?
These are no ordinary crustaceans: They're hairy crabs, a delicacy that can cost as much as 2,700 yuan ($400) for a box of eight and can only be purchased for a few weeks in autumn. ... Demand for hairy crabs in China is expected to reach 150 billion yuan this year.
How do you eat hairy crabs?
The traditional way to enjoy hairy crabs is to have them steamed and served as a whole crab.
What is special about hairy crab?
Unlike regular crabs that are favoured for their flesh, hairy crab is less meaty and is instead prized for its creamy golden roe. It is typically prepared steamed and accompanied with vinegar and ginger — to allow its delicate flavours to shine — and is best complemented with Chinese yellow wine.
How can I enjoy my hairy crab?
Hairy crabs are known for their strong "cooling" effect (凉). Hence, we would love to suggest adding vinegar for the dipping sauce as it helps to counteract the coldness so you can enjoy our lovely succulent hairy crab without worrying about falling sick.
Is hairy crab good for you?
Like most crustaceans, hairy crabs are extremely high in cholesterol. ... It's best to limit consumption to one or two crabs at a time. Those with heart diseases or already suffering from high cholesterol should try to avoid hairy crabs altogether.
Does male hairy crab have Roe?
While the golden essence from male crabs is stickier, with a texture similar to salted egg yolk. This rich, creamy and buttery roe is highly sought after in hairy crabs as compared to the size of meat in other crab because hairy crab does not have much meat.
Do Japanese eat raw crab?
The crab used in nigiri, the most common form of sushi, is packed with a sweet and savory flavor. It's often served raw or lightly boiled in salt water to enhance the crab's natural flavor. The sweet crab meat works together with the tangy flavor of the vinegar in sushi rice work together to make the perfect team.
How do you eat a Japanese hairy crab?
(1) With the crab facing upside down, cut off the legs at where it joins to the body, and cut the legs in half at the joints. (2) Insert the scissors through the cut, and cut along the hairy shell. (3) Open the cut shell with your fingers, and the meat will be easy to pull out.
When should I eat my hairy crab?
Coupons, or “paper crabs”, are used to redeem Yangcheng Lake crabs, considered the best of the hairy crabs that are in season every Autumn from around late September to December.
How does hairy crab taste?
“The flavor of the crabmeat is naturally a little sweet. And it leaves a fragrant smell on your hands.” “The flavor of the crabmeat is naturally a little sweet,” he said. “And it leaves a fragrant smell on your hands.”
