Heartbroken and Devastated! Discussing the Ways to Eat Hairy Crabs！

The Hairy Crabs, is a delicacy frequently found on the dining tables of the Chinese populace. Due to their hard exoskeletons, these crabs can survive on land, in saltwater, and freshwater environments, and are omnivorous, leading to rapid reproduction rates. Female crabs can lay up to one million eggs at a time. Consequently, the mitten crab has been listed as one of the 100 most invasive species in the world.

According to a report by CNN on January 30th, to prevent the rapidly breeding mitten crabs from causing severe damage to European waterways, the Flemish Environment Agency in Belgium, in collaboration with the University of Antwerp, has developed traps specifically designed to capture these crabs. Metal channels are installed along the riverbanks, into which the crabs fall while crawling and find it difficult to escape, thus being caught and disposed of.

The report states that since 2018, these trapping facilities have been installed in relevant Belgian waterways. Jonas Schlink, a professor of aquatic ecology at the University of Antwerp, estimates that three million mitten crabs have been captured. "These traps are highly efficient, catching between 8,000 to 10,000 crabs daily without harming other endangered fish species," he said. It is noted that last year, similar traps were installed in the UK, with plans to expand their use in the coming years to France, Germany, Sweden, and other countries.【Global Times】

In China, these large crabs require cultivation for their survival each year, otherwise, they would be eaten to extinction. A comprehensive industry chain centered around the farming of hairy crabs has now been established in China to prevent their extinction due to overconsumption by people.

Moreover, the price of hairy crabs (which mature in autumn) is very expensive every year, with appropriately sized and well-formed crabs generally selling for about $7 each. Therefore, as an editor, I find it quite incomprehensible when I see countries overwhelmed with hairy crabs, as these are rare delicacies (including crayfish). Let us recommend some ways to eat hairy crabs to help you "eradicate the disaster".

• Steamed Mitten Crab: This is the most traditional method that best preserves the original flavor of the crab. After cleaning the crab thoroughly, place it in a steamer and steam for about 20 minutes. It is usually served with ginger-vinegar or garlic-chili vinegar dipping sauce to counteract the crab's cold nature and enhance its flavor

• Boiled Mitten Crab: The crab is cooked in boiling water, then served with a special dipping sauce. This method is simple and quick, allowing you to taste the freshness of the crab

• Crab Meat with Tofu: This dish combines crab meat and roe with soft tofu. The crab is first steamed until cooked, then the meat and roe are removed and cooked together with the tofu before being thickened with a sauce. This dish has a delicate texture and rich crab flavor.

• Crab Roe Fried Rice: Crab meat and roe are fried with rice, along with appropriate seasonings, allowing the rice to fully absorb the umami taste of the crab. This is a delicious and creative way to prepare mitten crab.

• Crab Meat meatballs: Crab meat is mixed with pork mince to form meatballs, which are then boiled or braised in soup. This method merges the freshness of crab with the richness of meatballs, creating a unique flavor.

• Crab Roe Noodles: Crab roe is combined with noodles, either in a soup or as a stir-fried dish. The umami taste of the crab roe infuses well into the noodles, greatly stimulating the appetite.

Regardless of the method chosen, when eating mitten crabs, one should pay attention to the following points:

• Ensure that the crabs are freshly alive; dead crabs can cause food poisoning.
• Thoroughly clean the crabs, especially the gills and belly, which can easily harbor dirt and impurities.
• Pay attention to food safety when consuming; it's better to cook them thoroughly.
• Some people may be allergic to seafood or mitten crabs, so make sure there are no allergic reactions before consumption.
• When we eat crabs, we need to remove the following parts: the heart, the apron (stomach), the lungs (gills), and the mouth. After removing the outer shell, all the meat inside is edible. Larger mitten crabs tend to be more expensive in China. However, only live crabs should be eaten as dead crabs can be toxic, are not fresh, and could cause intestinal discomfort.

Let's finally talk about the value of crab meat! Crab meat possesses high-quality protein and contains a variety of trace elements, including zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and phosphorus, which are very important for maintaining healthy bones, blood systems, and other bodily functions. Crab meat contains some vitamins, such as the B-vitamin group (especially vitamin B12), vitamin E, etc. These vitamins help maintain nervous system health, boost immunity, and protect cells from oxidative stress damage.

Unsaturated fatty acids: Certain crab species contain higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These healthy fats are beneficial for heart health, can help reduce inflammation, and maintain brain health.

Crab roe and crab fat: The crab roe and crab fat (reproductive organs of female and male crabs) are rich in fat-soluble vitamins and other nutrients, considered to have high nutritional value.

If you have any questions about Chinese food, please comment or send a private message~