Langqi Red Crab

Langqi Red Crab

Langqi Red Crab is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Langqi Red Crab is a specialty of Mawei District, Fuzhou, Fujian Province.

　　 According to *The Chronicles of Famous Products in Fuzhou*, Langqi Red Crab is quite precious and was once listed as an imperial tribute. In the past, it was the top choice for Fuzhou women recovering from childbirth.

　　　When it comes to red crabs, locals are filled with pride. According to *The Chronicles of Famous Products in Fuzhou*: “All along the coastal areas of Fuzhou produce blue crabs, but the most precious and well-known are the ‘Golden Crabs’ of Pingtan and the ‘Red Crabs’ of Langqi, which were once listed as imperial tributes.” Chen Shansu, a crab farmer, told reporters that artificial crab farming in Langqi dates back to 1958. The excellent quality of Langqi Red Crab is closely related to the island’s geographical features and farming methods. Located at the mouth of the Min River, Langqi enjoys moderately salty semi-brackish water, which is highly suitable for the growth of red crabs. Coastal areas such as Jinsa, Fengwo, Longtai, and Yunlong on the island are the most ideal places for red crabs to thrive.

　　Every spring, farmers either collect wild red crab seedlings from the Min River estuary or purchase them from Guangdong to place in their farms. The farming waters must maintain a temperature of 18–25 degrees Celsius and a salinity level of about 7–11 degrees, and the water must be pollution-free. “Though red crabs can’t talk, they’re very picky eaters—1,000 pounds of red crabs consume 100 pounds of fresh fish and shrimp every day, and they won’t touch anything stale. Only with such meticulous care do you get red crabs with tough shells, delicate fibers, and rich, tender meat,” Chen Shansu said with a smile. Every year during the sixth and seventh lunar months, it’s the season for producing regular soft-shell crabs. After the harvest, farmers dive straight into the busyness of the second half of the year, waiting for the peak production of red-roe crabs in December.